The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What happens to the unborn dead ?

Denny,

If you're a fan of Gordon Clark's (and I believe that you are) you gotta love Ron Nash (who sadly died last year). Even John Robbins, who scarcely has a kind word for anyone these days, had only nice things to say about him when he passed. .


I agree that from a biblical perspective it's a matter of speculation whether all or only some unborn infants are elected by God's grace (of course, if its possible that all are elect, it's also equally possible that none are).


We may have understood Pilgrim differently (Pil, this response is to both you and Denny), since I took him to be saying that it's not "speculative" but quite obvious that some infants who die are elect and some are not, though unless it is revealed to us by God, as in the case of Jacob and Esau, we can never know for sure. My problem with that example is that both Jacob and Esau were born and grew up unto ripe old age (as was forseen and ordained by God). To me this leaves open the possibility (or presumption if you prefer) that all infants who die are elect. I'm open to other arguments and illustrations, but I'll be quite open about saying that I am biased and predisposed toward this view if there are no clear and unambiguous counterexamples.

At this point I could not tell a grieving parent (or anyone else) who asked my opinion that I knew his or her unborn or dead infant child was with God in heaven; but I could and would tell them that I believed it very much. My belief doesn't count for much, and one's greatest comfort must be in the love and mercy of God, not the theological opinions of others. But unless I come to know of stronger biblical arguments to support the idea that some infants are elect and others not, I will undogmatically "presume" (or hope and pray) on the side of greater mercy and grace.