This is a question that has plagued me and will continue to do if the answer is in the negative (I think he can, actually). While you no doubt can't "learn" your way to salvation, our parenting class (which got its start by Calvinists in Piper's church no less) is premised on the idea that we can raise our child in a way that through this exercise of God's grace through our instruction they would have knowledge and a soft heart and mind towards Christ which would increase the likelihood that and ease with which the child would come to know and follow Christ.Homer wrote: Can a man in his natural state choose to learn to love and obey God? Isn't that what an apprentice (disciple) does? Where is it written that a man can not?
Homer
I would do it in any event because it raises good "citizens," and because the bible tells me to do so, but even if I were a 5-pointer, I would see it as contingency training -- if my children happen to be elect, then they will have a head-start on discipleship and sanctification.
I'd be interested in how seer sees this and what benefit comes from biblical and spiritual training of a child, presuming he believes that some of them aren't elect. Is it just a secular benefit? Does it have some spiritual benefit also?
