The Age of Accountability?? Truth or Error??
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:37 pm
I put this in the “Calvinism/Arminianism” category because it ties in closely to the depravity of man and various other facets debated by Calvinists and Arminians.
Steve, please direct as you see fit, I would really like your opinion as well.
What do I mean by “age of accountability”? Well, a good fraction of most Arminians and even some Calvinists (believe it or not!!) believe that until a child comes to an age where they are “able” to give an “account” for their actions, they are not responsible for their sin, and are therefore innocent before God. But there comes a time when Christ’s imputed Salvation ceases to cover that child’s precious soul. This is “the age of accountability” or the time when the child is accountable for his actions. And his choices, from now on, will affect him for eternity. When this child becomes born again, Christ’s Salvation is not only imputed but also imparted.
Other views of children and salvation include an emblematic Calvinist view in which parents are always worried and vexed if their infants are among the elect or not.
Still others are careful to baptize or circumcise (or both) their infant to ensure safe conduct into heaven.
Still others believe that infants and children can actually make a profession of faith and truly be born again, and can actually be accountable for themselves.
There are many different variations and adaptations on what people believe about the innocence of children.
Let’s not focus on the specifics like age, when, where, how; but rather if “The Age of Accountability” is plausible or not.
Yours in Jesus,
Steve, please direct as you see fit, I would really like your opinion as well.
What do I mean by “age of accountability”? Well, a good fraction of most Arminians and even some Calvinists (believe it or not!!) believe that until a child comes to an age where they are “able” to give an “account” for their actions, they are not responsible for their sin, and are therefore innocent before God. But there comes a time when Christ’s imputed Salvation ceases to cover that child’s precious soul. This is “the age of accountability” or the time when the child is accountable for his actions. And his choices, from now on, will affect him for eternity. When this child becomes born again, Christ’s Salvation is not only imputed but also imparted.
Other views of children and salvation include an emblematic Calvinist view in which parents are always worried and vexed if their infants are among the elect or not.
Still others are careful to baptize or circumcise (or both) their infant to ensure safe conduct into heaven.
Still others believe that infants and children can actually make a profession of faith and truly be born again, and can actually be accountable for themselves.
There are many different variations and adaptations on what people believe about the innocence of children.
Let’s not focus on the specifics like age, when, where, how; but rather if “The Age of Accountability” is plausible or not.
Yours in Jesus,