I agree with you that luggage (language) has allot to do with the issue. But, I also see the language I used in the New Testament--the salvation of households. IMHO it is phrased as such in the New Testament not for our confusion, but for our edification in that God desires us to understand that his blessing are "family" in nature when ...... I know you know the arguments.

I believe we can get out selves into trouble, if we lose the language. I think it is better to keep the language of the Old/New Testament and then more fully expand upon its meaning. It means something to say "salvation come to this house" and apparently God himself did not desire us to lose that emphasis. IMHO it is more correct to change our doctrines, and explanations thereof, to match the text of Scripture then to attempt to change the Scripture to match our doctrines....

Of course, individualism is a point in both the Old and New Testaments as I said, "Additionally, the salvation of the household is a normal Bible pattern, not the salvation of just independent individuals ....". I am of course using the NT terminology from the examples given above. The point using the terms in the NT was to draw out their correct meaning...revealing that baptism is covenantal in scope... THAT IS THEIR PURPOSE IN SCRIPTURE--don't throw them out!!!! My emphasis was to make a specific point on family blessings and cursing. This was the stated intent (it also begs for its identity in family blessing and cursings?) of the post and should be interpreted as such.

Reformed and Always Reforming,