Re: [TruthTalk] Christian Perfection

[Dave]

Wm. Taylor wrote: Dave, I think we've discussed this before, but let's do it again. What do you believe happens to little children who die before coming to faith, repentance, and obedience. Are they lost? DAVEH:  No, I don't believe such.  But it seems to me that is the way most Christians believe.  It is apparently an inherited Protestant doctrine, from what I've been able to discern in TT.  IF one does not believe in Jesus, then one gets tossed into the lake of fire.  Doesn't seem to matter if that person is a Chinese teenager who lived a thousand years ago, or an infant who dies today.  Many Christians apparently think God is going to consign such to hell for not having the opportunity to accept Jesus. Are they saved? DAVEH:  Do you mean, Do I think they are in heaven with Jesus?  .......I don't think so.  I suspect they are in paradise, awaiting the final resurrection before entering heaven to be with the Lord. If you believe they are saved, then what saves them: DAVEH:  First, they have endured to the end, in a sense.  Though I don't think it is the end that Jesus referred to in Mt 24:13.  Their entrance to heaven will define their salvation.  I don't see that as happening until after they are resurrected though.  What saves them, as you put it.....is Jesus' grace.  Are they saved by the same Gospel that brings adults to salvation? Is there a second unspoken Gospel at play here? DAVEH:  As I have previously mentioned, there are two elements that the grace of Christ intercedes for.  First, the chasm of physical death is bridged by Jesus' resurrection, which makes it possible for us to be resurrected in like manner.  That simply was not possible prior to Jesus' resurrection, nor is it something we could have done for ourselves.  Second, his atoning sacrifice made remission of our sins possible, for those who covenant with him to have their sins buried in the waters of baptism.  IMHO, young children simply do not have any sins that need cleansing, as they have not inherited sins of Adam or their fathers.  However, I tend to think they still will need to hear the gospel and accept Jesus in the spirit world.  I don't know if that is accepted LDS theology though....I've just not studied up on that topic......so, consider it speculation on my part.   Just wondering, DAVEH:  Thanx for asking, Bill.     Bill -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dave Hansen [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.langlitz.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you wish to receive things I find interesting, I maintain Five email lists... JOKESTER, OPINIONS, LDS, STUFF and MOTORCYCLE.