The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Monergism

Robin,

Personally, I do not count the children of believers as "members" of the Visible Church simply on the basis of their having been born to believing parents, but rather under the Church's oversight. If they are to be considered "members", then they are also entitled to all that pertains to such, e.g., deemed regenerate, the discriminatory love of the brethren vs. the general benevolence (love) we are to have to all men, encouragement to pursue their sanctification vs. their justification, etc.

Secondly, I would not and cannot assume that ANYONE is "reprobate" as that term designates what God has eternally decreed in regard to the end of someone. I do assume they are unbelievers until they make a valid profession of faith. And thus being unbelievers, as Paul has written, they are "by nature children of wrath, even as the rest..."

In His grace,