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

Brad,

You are correct in understanding my position; re: the Scriptures are clear that not all infants who die in infancy are elect/saved. Now, you might not have appreciated the import of the Rom 9:11-13 text, which I am assuming . from your reply. But the fact that both men grew to manhood is irrelevant to the issue at hand. The point I was hoping to make from that passage was simply an affirmation of UNconditional Election from eternity. Election has no bearing upon the individuals themselves since their election or reprobation was based upon reasons ONLY within God and His purposes to exemplify His glory and justice among men.

IF, as some have reasoned, all infants dying in infancy are elect, then several of the infamous "5 Points" are assailed and contradicted.

1) Total Depravity: ALL of mankind is under the curse of God which was rendered upon Adam our Federal Head in the Garden of Eden, aka: Original Sin. ALL of mankind possesses: 1) an imputed guilt and 2) an inherited corruption of nature. The consequence of these two elements is that ALL are children of wrath and liable to judgment UNLESS God in His mercy regenerates and unites the individual to Christ resulting in reconciliation. So, on this point, there is again NOTHING that would commend the unborn to God any more than one who is born, infant, child nor adult.

2) Unconditional Election: God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy chose to elect some, a remnant of Adam's fallen race to be redeemed in Christ. The reason for His choice is only to be found within Himself and nothing within man nor anything which man might possibly do, e.g., believe on Christ if given the "chance", etc. Are the unborn more deserving of God's grace more than any who are actually born? If one should answer, Yes, then Unconditional Election is violated. Are the unborn any less guilty and worthy of condemnation than those who are born? Certainly not, for "All have sinned are guilty before God." and "All are children of wrath. . .".

3) Definite Atonement: Christ procured the redemption for all those for whom the Father gave Him . . . before the foundation of the world. Thus, once again, there is no possible reason to be found in a person, unborn or born, which would effect this great salvation other than that which was determined in eternity; aka: Covenant of Redemption/Peace" which covenant was determined only among the 3 persons of the Godhead.

It may sound cold to say, but truly I see human emotions coming into play more than biblical truth by those who would hold that all unborn infants are elect. This would of course mean that all the children of all the pagan civilizations who died in the womb are saved. It would mean that ALL the children of Sodom and Gomorrah who perished in those cities destruction by the very hand of God were saved. So, again I have to ask, on what basis were any of those unborn infants saved and not those who were born, e.g., those who were but hours old? 2 months old? 1 year old?

Is an unborn infant worthy of God's mercy and grace due to the simple fact that it is unborn? I say, that human emotions are far more an influence in people's answer than anything else. For example, I have too often heard people respond, How could God not save an innocent unborn child? Why, it would be contrary to all that God is, i.e., love, merciful and full of grace if an unborn child was condemned to eternal damnation. It seems that all that the Scriptures teach about God's nature, i.e., His attributes are thrown out the door when this question is brought to the forefront.

Okay.... I'll let you mull over this much and respond if you so choose.

In His grace,