Child as Sinner
taken from an email post by Rebecca Prewett

We've recently been studying covenant theology, especially as it applies
to infant baptism, in our home Bible study. It seems as if there are two
viewpoints regarding the children of believers (and I'm oversimplifying
here):

1. Our children are depraved, unsaved sinners until proven otherwise
   (i.e., if/when they make a profession of faith and their life begins
   to bear fruit). They are no different than the children of unbelievers,
   except that they are being raised in a Christian home.
2. We will consider our children to be members of God's elect, until
   proven otherwise (i.e., if/when they show evidence of having
   completely rejected God)

It seems that this has a bearing on how we raise and train our children. Do
we see them as "covenant children" to be trained for the Kingdom of God?
or do we see them as sinners to be restrained as much as possible from
running completely amuck?

UPDATE: Actually, this is a vast oversimplification. Many Protestants believe in an "age of accountability". Before that age, a child's sin is not imputed to him; he is essentially blameless. I don't find this concept in Scripture.

In addition, it seems that there are many Christian parents who, although they don't accept the Reformed teaching regarding their children being from birth part of the "Covenant Community", still tend to focus less on their children being innate sinners and more on their children being image-bearers of God. This seems a more accurate reflection of the mind and heart of Christ concerning children.

copyright 1996, 2001 by Rebecca Prewett

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