A Last Word On a Review

Since the publication of my review of Shepherding a Child’s Heart (Dec. issue, and see Comment, Feb. issue), I have received several inquiries concerning my assertion that children of believers are holy. Does that mean no profession of faith is necessary as children mature?

Since this matter is a vital issue, let me state clearly that every Christian, including the covenant child, needs to profess publicly his faith in Christ. The Church, in fact, must be constantly evangelizing not only neighbors and distant lands, but also its own children. We pray for faith in Christ. We want our childrens’ hearts!

My critique dealt with our inability as humans to see the hearts of others, and with the consequent danger of parents provoking their children by constant intrusive questioning, asking them to reveal motives that even adults can’t articulate well. Nevertheless, by the Word, by our advice, by our example, we aim to address the minds and souls and hearts of our children.

As to Paul’s assertion that our children are holy (1 Cor. 7:14), consider two of Calvin’s comments on that verse: “For this same reason, the children of Christians are considered holy; and even though born with only one believing parent, by the apostle’s testimony they differ from the unclean seed of idolators” (Institutes, IV, 16.6). Again: “As Paul testifies, although those who are born of believers may by nature be lost, they are holy by supernatural grace”(IV 16.31.4). Therefore, unlike Baptists, we baptize infants and consider them part of the covenant people of God, while we pray with confident hope that they will profess faith in Christ.

—Pastor Bill Edgar Broomall, Pa.