The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Where will non-Elect infants spend eternity?

I am attempting to understand the Westminster Catechism's teaching on: 'Elect infants, dying in infancy ....'

What happens to non-Elect infants in eternity? Will they be consigned to Hell with other unregenerate, unbelievers?

What purpose can their separation from God serve since they did not (as far as we can ascertain) choose to reject God's grace?

I believe that the Calvinist position and doctrine of predistination of the Elect forces us to conclude that the distinction of the Elect is not limited to adults.

Based on a parable of Jesus in Luke 12:47,48, there will be differing magnitudes of punishment that depend upon the actions of the servants while their Master was absent from them. How could innocent babies be responsible to receive even one of the beatings (of stripes) spoken about in the above passage?

Or, perhaps I am wrongly assuming that the passage referenced above refers to the state of those in Hell?

Let me try and answer the above questions as one. The non-elect (aka: reprobate) will all be condemned to Hell since they have not been justified in Christ's blood. The error in your thinking is a common one which is that unless someone deliberately rejects Christ, then they are "innocent", i.e., no guilt can be charged against them. But think about that statement in regard to adults, and not infants. Do you really believe that all adults that have ever lived will escape judgment if they have never heard of Christ and believed upon Him?

What is forgotten, ignored or even rejected is the biblical truth that ALL are guilty and worthy of judgment from the very fact that they are human. (cf. Rom 5:12-18) Adam, being the Federal Head of the human race represented all mankind and thus his act of disobedience and the subsequent punishment; death, effected all, aka: "Original Sin". This Original Sin is consists of two elements: (1) Corruption of nature (Total Depravity), from which sin originates and which all men inherit, and (2) Judicial guilt, which is imputed to all. Thus, it is not necessary for one to commit a sin to be liable to judgment, for the guilt of Adam is imputed to them. Since ALL are born guilty sinners, ALL are worthy of condemnation. It is only by God's grace that any are saved. (cf. Rom 9:11ff) In short, there no one who does good or even has the ability to do good. There is none righteous, no not one. (Jer 13:23; Rom 3:10ff; Eph 2:1-5; et al)

For those reprobate who are allowed to be born and live out their lives, for however long God has determined they should, every thought, word and deed is sinful. And thus the longer they live the more wrath they bring upon themselves and the punishment they shall receive is proportionally increased beyond the original guilt which is imputed to them.

In His Grace,

Pilgrim,

Thanks for your kind and concise answer. I have so many questions at times that they just spill out and so I apologize for making it difficult to answer. It is neat that you mentioned Adam being our Federal Head (i.e. representative for the human race) because our Sunday school teacher just yesterday mentioned Jesus as the Federal Head for believers. He now represents us before the Father.

Because I lack formal theological training, I am simply not familiar with some of the words and terms that are used to shorten discussions such as we are having. But I have been self-taught in many of them.

The concept of ‘original sin’ was not taught us growing up in the Ch of the Brethren, I suspect largely because that denomination is strongly flavored Armenian. ‘Free will’ was taught probably while omitting the doctrine of original sin, and, yes, imputed guilt.

Imputed guilt is a very powerful concept and helps immensely to comprehend the impact of Adam’s offense and its dire results. It also helps me to embrace the concept of reprobate infants (or at least, I’ll say, infants who are not those elect for salvation).

Thanks for your thoroughness! I first heard of ‘original sin’ from Catholic friends and then discovered that it is well taught in most mainline Protestant churches.

It may seem odd to you, but I barely understand the origins for the Westminster Catechism (and there are two sizes, large and small?). Perhaps you might enlighten me about it or point to some online summary for its origin. I am guessing now that it originated with Martin Luther.

Here is a small program that contains several creeds, catechisms and confessions of faith.

http://www.the-highway.com/refcon.html

It is free and will help answer some of your questions.


God bless,

william

It would appear that you are confusing the Westminster Confession with the two Catechisms, which are the "Larger" and "Shorter"; the Shorter Catechism is what is currently the topic in the "Faith of our Fathers Study Center" forum on this Board.

The Refcon3 program which averagefellar recommended is a great reference program and one which I think everyone should have on their computer, especially given that it is . <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

On The Highway's home page, there are links for the Westminster Confession as well as a few other major Reformed documents, e.g., the "Canons of Dordt". But if you would click on the link to the WCF, at the bottom of every page of the Confession, I have also provided a link to the Windows on Westminster, which you find helpful. I just noticed that the link is "dead". The website, "www.capo.org" is Under Construction, so that recommendation will have to wait until a future date, D.v. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Believing Thomas

You are not the only one that is not familiar with a lot of the words such as "federal head" etc... Unfortunately they are not taught in many Churches today.
Sometimes I forget that when I am talking to my friends and use these terms when talking on a particular topic. I usually get a strange look and even have been accused of trying to talk above people's heads. Instead of asking me what certain words means, some want the entire topic dropped.

Personally, I think learning new words are great.

Pilgrim,

Thanks for your advice and info. I will check these out as I have the opportunity.

Tom

average fellar,

As I shared with Pilgrim, I appreciate your help.
Thanks

Tom

averagefellar (william)

I downloaded the program that you and Pilgrim kindly shared and I am very grateful. I will be giving it a very fair shake and examine these doctrines in detail as the Lord allows me to do. Thanks to you both again!

If you were to describe me (at least my scholarly and spiritual part), you will find that I am very much like the Bereans who told Paul that they would carefully consider and study the "new" truths (new to them) that he was sharing.

Sola Scriptura, friend.


God bless,

william