The Silver Limner

God often lays the sum of His amazing providences in very dismal afflictions; as the limner* first puts on the dusky colors, on which he intends to draw the portraiture of some 

illustrious beauty.

Stephen Charnock

*limner - A limner is an illuminator of manuscripts, or more generally, a painter of ornamental decoration

Safe...(Do All Babies Go to Heaven?) Part IV

Why Do Babies Die?

Part Four

Let’s look at the last phrase in verse twelve,

“…for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12e, KJV)

This phrase is connected with Paul’s previous statement,

“…and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12d, KJV)

This last phrase, “…for that all have sinned…” is probably the most important phrase Paul has written yet. We need to know exactly what Paul said. We need to diligently discover the correct translation of this phrase. I don’t think we have it with either the Revised Standard Version or the King James Version.

Later translators who carefully exegeted this phrase saw that the previous translations had mistranslated this phrase and they corrected it. A better translation of this phrase reads,

“…because all sinned…” (Romans 5:12e, NKJV)

Most of you are thinking, “What difference does it make?” I think it makes a great deal of difference. When you say, “all have sinned” you are really making a general observation or general statement. It is true that eventually all men will have sinned prior to their death. Paul is not making a general observation or statement in this paragraph. Paul is saying definitively that all men sinned.

Paul used an aorist tense, active voice, and an indicative mood. In doing so Paul portrays the idea of an act completed once and forever in history at a particular point and time. Paul is not making a general observation. Paul refers to a specific action that took place at a particular point of time.

The reason why this is important is as follows: if you state that “all have sinned” you can imply that they sinned now, or yesterday, last week, or at any time. Paul used a word, and a tense of the Greek verb to refer to a specific one definite completed action – all sinned.

Therefore, death passed upon all men because all men sinned. You must understand Paul’s purpose in this paragraph. Paul is explaining the comparison between Adam and Jesus Christ. Don’t forget that Paul says that Adam is a figure of him (Jesus) that was to come. Paul is showing the reason for this comparison is to emphasize the fact that our relationship to one (Adam) is the same to the other (Christ.) In other words, what is true of us while we are in Adam is true of us while we are in Christ.

God pronounced death upon all men because all men sinned. This is why death is universal. Death is universal even on infants. Why? Because all sinned. All sinned in Adam. Death is always part of the punishment for sin and death presupposes guilt and condemnation. Death is universal, even in the case of babies who have not been born yet nor committed any actual sin. However, because babies do die they must be guilty of a specific and particular sin. They have not sinned by a personal act or action, but they would never die if they were not guilty of some particular and definite sin.

The questions you must ask is, when did infants sins? What sin did they commit? How did they sin?  

Don’t forget, Paul’s contention is that death has come upon all men proving that all men have sinned. All men sinned in the original sin of Adam. In verses fifteen through nineteen Paul repeats his position five (5) times with the words, “one offense”, the “one offense of Adam”, or “the offense of one man.”

This is why Paul compares Adam and Christ. One man’s (Adam’s) sin brought death upon all men. Christ’s one action brings life to all believers. Adam’s one act of sin made all men sinners; the death of Christ makes all who believe in Him righteous. Adam’s sin is imputed to us and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us.

So when did infants and babies sin? In Adam – when Adam sinned, every human being that would ever be conceived sinned. How did infants sin? In Adam – Adam as their representative sinned resulting in the sinning of each and every human being. Babies in the womb sinned. Even before birth they sinned. They sinned in Adam.

Lord, willing Monday we will look at exactly how all men sinned in Adam.

Safe...(Do All Babies go to Heaven?) Part III

Why Do Babies Die?

Part Three

In the last post I wrote that Dr. MacArthur had written,

“Any notion that a child is born morally neutral, or that a baby is born without a predisposition to sin, is contrary to Scripture.” Dr. MacArthur goes on to say, “If infants were not sinful or morally corrupt, they would not die at all! If babies were born totally without sin or depravity, there could be no reason for their death.” [1]

There is great truth to what MacArthur says. However, there is a great problem with what he has written.

It is true that all human beings are born with a “bent” toward sin as a result of inheriting a sinful nature from Adam. The problem, which was expressed by my friend, is that most believers might attribute a sin nature to a baby but would not acknowledge that a baby has sinned, especially within the womb. After all, what can it do? While in the womb a baby certainly can’t rob a bank, lust after the opposite sex, take God’s name in vain, envy an item, or violate any other commandment of God.

Of course this is what my friend stressed so strenuously – babies haven’t had the opportunity to sin.

I say to you on the authority of Scripture that all human beings sinned. First, let me say that God is just in pronouncing death as the penalty for sin. Death is the penalty for sin. God told Adam while Adam was still in the garden,

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” (Genesis 2:16-17, NKJV)

God once again reiterated this principle through the prophet Ezekiel,

“Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the Father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4, NKJV)

The most familiar passage of all those which state that death is the penalty for sin is found in Romans,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NKJV)

It is very clear the bible teaches that death is the penalty for those who sin. In other words, all who sin will die. I guess the question would be has every living being which has been conceived sinned? This was the crux of my friends argument, she didn’t have “proof” or “evidence”, but she did not believe babies had or could sin, especially prior to birth.

The reason that God can pronounce judgment on mankind and condemn man to death and eternal punishment is that every conceived human being has sinned. God is absolutely just in passing the death penalty on every human being, including babies.

Why do babies die? Because they sinned. What is the penalty for sin? Death. This part of the question is actually easy, although from a human standpoint unimaginable.

Turn to Romans 5:12.

The Revised Standard Version, the King James Version, the New Revised Standard Version, and The Geneva Bible to name a few translate this verse as:

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12, KJV)

First, we must take note of the opening word in this verse – wherefore. The Apostle Paul is beginning a new section or a new unit of thought at this place. Second, take note that this word suggests a connection with what he has just written and serves as a transition to what he is about to write. This new unit of thought begins with verse twelve (12) and continues to the end of chapter five (5.)

We must ask ourselves why Paul is introducing Adam at this juncture. Also, what is the significance of comparing Adam with Christ?

The certainty of our salvation comes by being in Christ. We are saved by Christ’s life. It was not just enough for Christ to die but He had to be raised to life in order to fully provide our salvation. (See verse 10)

Paul sums up all that he has written about our salvation. Paul has proved the justness of God’s wrath against all of mankind, i.e. e. the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul has also proven that God justifies and reconciles to Himself, those who were once enemies due to sin.

Lord willing we shall continue with verse twelve in tomorrow’s post.

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[1] Safe in the Arms of God, Dr. John F. MacArthur, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), p. 69

Safe... (Do All Babies Go to Heaven?) Part II

Why Do Babies Die?

Part Two

During my conversation with my friend this past Friday she made the definite statement that babies, especially those yet in the womb have not had the opportunity to sin. She readily agrees that the “sin nature” comes into play, but how and when she is not sure. She is sure that she does not want to attribute sin to a baby in the womb or out of the womb.

First, let me say that the overwhelming majority of people, whether Christians or not hold the position that all babies go to heaven.  Regardless of their view on sin, original sin, or death, they believe that babies are “innocent” and won’t be held accountable by God.

I am well aware of the fact that almost all of the reformers hold to the position that somehow by God’s infinite grace and wisdom that He has made a provision for infants and imbeciles. I am aware of the fact that one of my heroes of the faith, Charles H. Spurgeon believed and taught that all babies who die go to heaven by a gracious provision of God.

Dr. John F. MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, CA has written a little book called, Safe in the Arms of God. It is Pastor MacArthur’s position that all babies who die go to heaven.

As a matter of fact, in his book, Pastor MacArthur was very adamant about the fact that we not only can know the answer to this question but that pastor’s must have an answer to this question;

“Several years ago I was asked to participate on a panel at a large conference. Three other pastors joined me on this question and answer panel. One of the questions came from the audience was, ‘What happens to babies when they died?’ The answer of the other three pastors was, essentially, ‘I don’t know.’ I was dismayed. How can a person be a pastor and not have an answer to that question? How can a pastor even offer counsel or encouragement to those who experience the loss of a child unless he or she has answers to the concerns of a grieving heart? When my turn came to reply I said, ‘they go to heaven.’” [1]

Second, there is a very entrenched thought or belief that human beings are born without sin. This “doctrine” or teaching was condemned as heresy some sixteen hundred (1600) years ago, but it still lingers. The underlying foundation of this heresy is that each and every soul that is born is born as a “clean slate.” As a person develops and begins to “sin” by engaging in willful acts of sin, they become sinners. The belief that results from this heresy is that infants and children are “innocent” and have not yet had the opportunity to sin. It is thought that infants and babies cannot make a willful choice to sin. Therefore, a “sinless” or “innocent” child will to go to heaven.

This doctrine was declared to be heretical and was condemned by every council that met to review the doctrine against the Scriptures. The problem is that this thinking has never gone away. People still think it is true today.

When you lasted visited a maternity ward or a family which had just delivered a brand new baby what did you hear? Did you hear someone exclaim, “Oh look at the desperately wicked and deceitful depraved little sinner!” No, in all most every case someone said, “Oh look at the beautiful little baby. Doesn’t he or she look so innocent?” Or, “Doesn’t she look so peaceful and innocent laying there asleep?”

Now, most bible scholars and those trained in biblical doctrine would admit that all human beings including infants are born as sinners from conception. All most all would say that the principle of sin is embedded in the heart or soul of every living being. Most would say that all that are born have a bent toward sin. Even Dr. MacArthur wrote,

“Any notion that a child is born morally neutral, or that a baby is born without a predisposition to sin, is contrary to Scripture.” Dr. MacArthur goes on to say, “If infants were not sinful or morally corrupt, they would not die at all! If babies were born totally without sin or depravity, there could be no reason for their death.” [2]

There is great truth to what MacArthur says. However, there is a great problem with what he has written. We will pick this up in our next post, (Thursday, May 23, 2013) Lord willing.

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[1] Safe in the Arms of God, John MacArthur, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), p. 13

[2] Ibid, p. 69

Doctrine Does Divide

Over the last forty (40) years I have written a number of quotes, comments, pithy sayings, and poems in the fly-leafs of my bibles. Each Tuesday I am going to share those various entries from my bibles with you. I hope they will be as much of blessing to you as they have been to me. Sometimes I will be able to give credit where credit is due and sometimes I won’t be able to credit the source. I apologize for this to each one who contributed these gems over the last forty (40) years.

TODAY'S TREASURE:

Doctrine separates those
who believe in Scripture from those 
who don't believe in Scripture

Safe or ... (Do All Babies Go to Heaven?) Part I

Why Do Babies Die?

Part One

This past Friday a friend of mine engaged me in a conversation. This of course is not the stuff of which “late breaking news” is made. As a matter of fact this is a conversation, or at least the topic, is one that has troubled me for years. The first part of half of the conversation did not bother me since I can go to the Scriptures, particularly the New Testament and refute the commonly held notion that human beings, namely children, have “guardian angels.” Guardian angels are not substantiated by Scripture. The notion is an idea of Roman Catholic dogma.

It is the second half of the conversation that has plagued me for years. A part of my “argument” against guardian angels is the simple fact that if they do exist, for the most part they are doing a terrible job. After all children are tortured, molested, abused, injured, and killed regularly. One would have to be made of stone not to be affected, no devastated by the horrible abuse that children face. In addition, it is heart breaking, no heart wrenching to see the cameras pan the starving, diseased, and dying children in what we call ”third world” countries. One can only wonder if in fact guardian angels are assigned to children what happened. Where were they when a parent deliberately burned their children with cigarettes because the child would not stop crying? Where were they when “Uncle Buck” repeatedly raped and molested them?

Sorry, back to the second part of the conversation: what happens to babies when they die? My friend made the point that since babies don’t sin how can they be held culpable for sin? Of course her argument was that babies, especially babies in the womb don’t or can’t sin they must go straight to heaven. She is convinced, with no Scriptural foundation that babies haven’t had any opportunity to sin.

Come June 18^th my wife and wife will have been married for forty (40) years. No, that is not a typo or bad math. During this forty (40) years God has allowed us to produce four (4) healthy, intelligent, and beautiful girls. From these four (4) girls, three have given to us four (4) healthy, intelligent and beautiful grandchildren. Oops, sorry Gregory and Diontre, two (2) beautiful granddaughters and two (2) handsome grandsons.

We have been richly blessed beyond measure. We have never had a child die, or suffered a miscarriage, or even a severe illness. The most we have had to endure was one broken arm and the requisite number of “stiches” in all four (4) girls. Other than common sense, general life experience, empathy, and etc., I don’t know what it is like to suffer the loss of a child.

My involvement in this question is twofold. First of all it is theological. As a theologian I want to fully understand the Scriptures. I want to work hard at study in order to show myself an able and accurate student of God’s Word. I am dedicated to rightly dividing the Word of God. Biblical Theology must trump emotional, rational and/or logical opinions. Biblical doctrine is essential.

Secondly, my involvement is pastoral. It is difficult to stand beside a family who has lost a baby or child and answer their questions. Their grief compels them to cry out why? Then at some point the question turns to “where?” They want assurance that their baby is safe in Christ and that they will one day see their child again.

As a pastor I don’t have a convenient place to go in the Scriptures and say, “Thus sayeth the Lord.” The scripture is silent on this topic. There are no definitive passages that specifically deal with this topic.

I have “danced” around this question for a number of years. I have not been able to give a definitive answer that both comforted grieving parents and complemented biblical theology. I have been unable to “buy in” completely to the stock answer or explanation involving King David’s experience with his and Bathsheba’s baby. Although there is some merit, I do not believe that this experience gives hard and fast evidence that all babies who die go to heaven or serves to explain why babies die.

If I haven’t offended you or put you off, stay with me. Over the next two or three posts (excluding Tuesday) I hope to look at this question “thrown” at me by my friend. I hope to be honest with the text and from Scripture provide some guidance and thought on this, the toughest of questions.

Defining Contentment

“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” 

― Jeremiah Burroughs