The term Christian has limited place in the discussion for it simply does not get to the pertinent questions concerning how we are treat covenant children.
Well, as you might have expected, I flatly disagree with your dismissal of such terms as "saved" and "Christian" as being "vague", for they are without question part and parcel of sound Systematic Theology. Perhaps if we can agree upon the use of these terms that might help the discussion progress rather than being sidetracked with these personal concerns of yours?
Christian: One who professes to be a follower of Christ; having been convicted of sin, repented and turned to Christ in faith. The matter of the verity of that faith is not in question for our purposes.
saved: One who has been joined to Christ by faith and therefore justified, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is being sanctified and who will be infallibly glorified; aka: one of Christ's sheep, one of the elect to whom the benefits of Christ's atoning work has been applied.
Now... do we treat covenant children as: "Christian", "saved" or "non-Christian" or "unsaved"?
With Susan, I only know of two distinct categories of people who stand before God. There are those who are dead in trespasses in sins, having been born with a corruption of nature and have Adam's guilt imputed to them. And, there are those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, united to Christ by faith and have been justified by the imputed righteousness of Christ.
Take it from here. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
In His Grace,
Again, "saved" is vague until unpacked and "Christian" has no bearing on the matter. You yourself have employed "saved" in this thread as meaning one for whom Christ died, prior to being converted. Hence the confusion.
The issue is, the Bible treats unconverted children as being in covenant (as I've pointed out). Accordingly, you must decide what this means. Just don't contradict the nature of the unconditional covenant. The only solution is that Scripture teaches us to treat children of believers as children of the promise, yet they still should be called to conversion.
