Hello, again. I'll answer the first paragraph as it relates to the topic. The rest of your post would make a great new topic.
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May I ask an innocent question: Who are the "elect children"?
We don't know, directly. We don't know who is truly elect as an adult, either. We know that since some are elect out of mankind, this must include infants since there are elect adults who were once infants. Scripture also mentions the election of some people to specific stations prior to birth. While I see no need to believe that every infant who dies in infancy is elect, I see no reason to believe every infant that dies in infancy is non-elect. I simply leave election up to God and believe He elects some infants.
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By the context of the doctrines of John Calvin and other similar minded reformers, "Elect infants" are a specific group or subset. Some of the additions to this thread imply that there is not distinction between "elect infants" and the "elect".
I should ask for some clarification. The elect are those chosen of God to be saved out of this world of sinners. Age matters not.
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How should we proceed with an infant who is near the so-called age of accountability (the Jews recognized this is bar-mitzvah) and he is not of the "elect"? Do we extend God's grace to him, even though God knows he will not accept?
I do not believe, nor does scripture teach, an age of accountability. All humankind are born sinners and deserve the wrath of God. I extend the message of salvation to all who will hear me. I hope that helps.
