Pilgrim
Before I even used that Proverb I checked with several Reformed sources. All of them said that this is not an absolute promise; which is how I tried to use it.
After reading what you said; I thought I needed to study more. Thanks for mentioning that.
I came across something written by Dr. Jay Adam. He talked about it as being a warning to parents, that if they allow their children to go after their own wishes (permissively), they should not expect to see them change as they get older. That would seem to support the translation you mentioned.
As I think through this, we should train up a child in the discipline of the Scriptures; but that does not guarantee that they will actually stay that way when they are old.
Perhaps I am wrong to say this, but still is an encouragement to me. At least as long as parents does what Dr. Jay Adam talks about. He talks about the habits that children form in childhood generally remain later in life.
God is ultimately in control, but parents need to make sure they bring their children up in the Lord.
Concerning catechisms, I am a little surprised at what you said concerning when you teach them it must be just for believers.
Yes, ultimately I agree that the promises and truths etc, are ultimately only for Christians. The Gospel should be central. Yet, I have always believed that we should be teaching our children the Scriptures from a very young age. The Catechism is a great way to do just that.
While it is a real danger for presumptive regeneration; I do not believe that needs to be the case IF we are clear to the people that are being catechised. Parents, faith cannot save their children; they must believe for themselves; we should not presume anything in that regard.
Until fairly recently, I only heard about some Paedo-Baptists who believed in “presumptive regeneration.” Generally speaking, at least in the Reformed Baptist Churches I have been around. Many pastors talked like children should be considered unsaved, until they show otherwise. Which is the opposite to what I hear in presumptive regeneration circles.
Not all Reformed Baptists talk about Catechisms, but more and more of them seem to be doing so in their families.
I love what CH Spurgeon said about “a good catechism”.
With Proofs, Compiled by C. H. Spurgeon, "Heir of the Puritans"
I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times, and therefore I have compiled this little manual from the Westminster Assembly's and Baptist Catechisms, for the use of my own church and congregation. Those who use it in their families or classes must labour to explain the sense; but the words should be carefully learned by heart, for they will be understood better as years pass.
May the Lord bless my dear friends and their families evermore, is the prayer of their loving Pastor. C. H. Spurgeon
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15)
Published about Oct 14, 1855, when Spurgeon was 21 years old. On Oct. 14, Spurgeon preached Sermon No. 46 to several thousand who gathered to hear him at New Park Street Chapel. When the sermon was published it contained an announcement of this catechism. The text that morning was, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations" (Ps. 90:1).
From
http://www.reformedreader.org/ccc/puritan_catechism.htm
