religion

[Pee Bottle]

Never really thought about it lol. I mean if the parents are members of our church I suppose their kids are also (by proxy? lol) . To be honest I've never really been so deeply involved with the administrative side of things that I really cared if they were members or not

It’s a good question. When your child asks you, “daddy, am I a Christian?” are you able to give a definitive answer? Baptism saves.

 

[Integrity]

Never really thought about it lol. I mean if the parents are members of our church I suppose their kids are also (by proxy? lol) . To be honest I've never really been so deeply involved with the administrative side of things that I really cared if they were members or not

It is not from the administrative side that I have found individuals in conflict in the evangelical/reform tradition. It is in the eternal salvation side, a question whether their children are or not in hell if they die.

I always found some the answers given in these context to be very cringe and unbelievable.

 

[tourists24]

It’s a good question. When your child asks you, “daddy, am I a Christian?” are you able to give a definitive answer? Baptism saves.

I've gone through this just things with my kids. When my boys came to me I consulted with my pastor to ask them if he felt they were old enough to understand what it meant. We determined that they were and proceeded to walk them through the entire salvation process. My daughter never gave her life to Christ and is no longer alive so I feel I failed her, but as to when accepting Christ and being formally accepted with the church, then sure.

 

[tourists24]

It is not from the administrative side that I have found individuals in conflict in the evangelical/reform tradition. It is in the eternal salvation side, a question whether their children are or not in hell if they die.

I always found some the answers given in these context to be very cringe and unbelievable.

I treat the children in church as not saved until they are old enough to understand and choose to themselves. I think I was thinking your question was along the lines of simple church membership itself, not brothers and sisters in Christ

 

[Integrity]

I've gone through this just things with my kids. When my boys came to me I consulted with my pastor to ask them if he felt they were old enough to understand what it meant. We determined that they were and proceeded to walk them through the entire salvation process. My daughter never gave her life to Christ and is no longer alive so I feel I failed her, but as to when accepting Christ and being formally accepted with the church, then sure.

Sorry to hear, it must be hard to feel that. Did she die as a child or is an adult?

 

[tourists24]

Sorry to hear, it must be hard to feel that. Did she die as a child or is an adult?

She died at 23 years old, and that was over 11 years ago

 

[Pee Bottle]

She died at 23 years old.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord. Sorry for your loss brother.

 

[Integrity]

I treat the children in church as not saved until they are old enough to understand and choose to themselves. I think I was thinking your question was along the lines of simple church membership itself, not brothers and sisters in Christ

So I know this is a cruddy way to talk about it but does this mean that any of these children that you view as not saved it is your belief that they will go to hell when they die?

I have heard this before, but spiritually I am conflicted and have dissonance about it.

 

[Pee Bottle]

You don’t need to think about any of this. We have scripture and tradition to fall back on, and both of those affirm infant baptism.

 

[Pee Bottle]

Here’s a great defense.

 

[Integrity]

She died at 23 years old.

So sorry for your loss. My son is currently 23 and I can’t imagine going thorough a loss such as that. I feel for you.

 

[tourists24]

I’m from a non denom family who didn’t baptize. I got baptized at 24. Been an Anglican since but currently looking at both Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

I come from a baptist upbringing but as I get older I think the most important thing is to find somewhere that preaches and emphasizes first and foremost that salvation is priority one and it's outreach is focused on glorifying God by making disciples of Jesus to help people reach up, reach in, and reach out.

 

[tourists24]

So I know this is a cruddy way to talk about it but does this mean that any of these children that you view as not saved it is your belief that they will go to hell when they die?

I have heard this before, but spiritually I am conflicted and have dissonance about it.

Well the best way I can describe it would be that all children will reach a time in life when they truly understand what it means to be saved it and what it represents. That age is different for each child. Before that time there is no way to hold them accountable for something they have no way of comprehending so thus makes them innocent of accountability. I can only use my experiences with the youth I have helped. It involved allowing them to ask questions as well as me asking them questions to see if they understand. If I felt they did, then I would hand it over to my pastor (or someone more qualified than I was) to help me. If they weren't ready then I would back off and go back to letting them learn more.

 

[vantexan]

I was baptized as an infant and was dunked when in my 30’s

Sounds like you believe you were truly baptized as an infant.

 

[vantexan]

You don’t need to think about any of this. We have scripture and tradition to fall back on, and both of those affirm infant baptism.

I'm sorry but you won't find infant baptism in the New Testament nor did the early Church practice it.

 

[Integrity]

Sounds like you believe you were truly baptized as an infant.

I was truly baptized as an infant.

 

[Integrity]

Well the best way I can describe it would be that all children will reach a time in life when they truly understand what it means to be saved it and what it represents. That age is different for each child. Before that time there is no way to hold them accountable for something they have no way of comprehending so thus makes them innocent of accountability. I can only use my experiences with the youth I have helped. It involved allowing them to ask questions as well as me asking them questions to see if they understand. If I felt they did, then I would hand it over to my pastor (or someone more qualified than I was) to help me. If they weren't ready then I would back off and go back to letting them learn more.

So would you view a child who understands what it means to be saved and says they don’t believe your understanding as you teach it as going to hell?

 

[tourists24]

So I know this is a cruddy way to talk about it but does this mean that any of these children that you view as not saved it is your belief that they will go to hell when they die?

I have heard this before, but spiritually I am conflicted and have dissonance about it.

What is it that is conflicting you? And what is it you feel like you believe?

 

[vantexan]

I was truly baptized as an infant.

No, you had water poured or sprinkled on you.

 

[Integrity]

What is it that is conflicting you? And what is it you feel like you believe?

Believing that any of these children that you view as not saved it is your belief that they will go to hell when they die.

Not sure, but not that for sure.