Anyone's desire to come to heaven is always preceded by God's desire for that person to come to heaven. Heaven, There are definitely people who are severely mentally disabled. The truth is that the Bible has very little to say about what becomes of the souls of infants and children who die and even less to say about what becomes of the souls of the mentally disabled. How can a person acknowledge God (Rom 1:28) if they are not able to comprehend Who God is and what sin is? So, from your second quote, I suppose you're saying, if they. Previous post: What Level Of Intimacy Should There Be Before Marriage? Many Baptists throughout our history have based the belief in the salvation of children and the mentally disabled on the mercy of God. In the bible John 10:27-29 says; My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Copyright 2010-2023 Telling Ministries LLC. Does God show mercy to those who are mentally retarded, challenged, disabled, or handicapped? Just believe him with all your heart and confess on him in prayer! Only Father GOD knows the heart of a person so we cannot judge. Mathew chapters 18 & 19 talks about this. So, we do our best not to worry about the future. KELLER, Texas (BP) For those of us who are parents of children with profound mental disabilities, one nagging question often lingers in our consciousness: What will happen to our child when we die? So a person with a mental disability still has a soul that can progress in this life and beyond. Some Baptists have appealed to the natural innocence of children and the mentally disabled as grounds for their entrance into heaven. Tagged as: That's how simple it is. Your browser does not support JavaScript. Himself, actively taking a role in their well-being (Matthew 19:14). Do mentally ill people go to heaven? Life after death was a certainty for David. BCCFServing Children and Families for Seventy Years, WMU leaders meet in person for the first time in three years, FIRST-PERSON: The MDiv is the gold standard of theological education, Georgia family of six sells home, crosses continent to encourage church planters, FIRST-PERSON: Georgia Baptist bicentennial: Lamenting a heritage of racism and slavery, As Church Staffs Grow, Ministry Leaders Look to the Bible for Titles, Churches Declare Their Stance on Pastorship Through Ordination, In wake of Damar Hamlin injury, prayer gets a public show of support, Buffalo Bills team chaplain says prayer began right away after Damar Hamlins collapse, hasnt stopped, 2023 World Watch List: Religious persecution spiking in Sub-Saharan Africa, Including singles in family life not a one-way street, Barber says sexual abuse hotline worth the cost. First of all, I would like this to be argued from Christian POV. In fact, some of the oldest Baptist confessions included overt affirmations of this doctrine. The second, and more significant problem with the innocence view, is that it would seem to come in conflict with Scripture. What does the Bible say about brain trauma/damage/traumatic brain injury (TBI)? "While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? He never doubted that fact for a moment. Extremely depressed, and tired. #christiangift #spreadgodsword #spreadgodslove #christianwear #christiantees. However, the command to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation presupposes intelligence and the ability to exercise ones volition. In short, I am much more confident of Gods mercy than I am of my childrens innocence. Many Baptists throughout our history have based the belief in the salvation of children and the mentally disabled on the mercy of God. While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food (2 Sam 12:21). 12:1-15), andDavid inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground (2 Sam. As for the children God said that they have no knowledge of good or evil and so they could cross the River Jordan and enter the Promised Land. Nor did he have any doubt that his infant son, taken in death before he could decide for or against his fathers God, would be there also.[2]. He did his graduate work at Moody Theological Seminary. The death of a child can be a difficult experience. Christian Truth. I could be extremely wrong as this is a rather difficult question to answer. As Charles Spurgeon wrote, any other belief would be utterly inconsistent with the known character of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that it was the Lord who said, Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven. The answer that has been most satisfactory to me, the father of a profoundly mentally disabled child, is that those who die outside of the state of accountability go to heaven based on the election, redemption, regeneration and mercy provided by God in the saving work of Jesus Christ. la quinta high school bell schedule cal bartlett wikipedia new ulm chamber of commerce event calendar uconn women's basketball tickets 2021 22. alexa demie height weight; mcquaby lake property for sale. Actual transgression subsequently adds new guilt to guilt already existing, but does not substitute a state of guilt for one of innocence.. You can always pray to Jesus Christ, I'm sure he'd like that if you talked to him! That he would be with his son again in the future was his firm belief. God's redemptive work in Jesus. A subreddit for Christians of all sorts. As I very well know, many of you are not of this religion, but that is not what matters, what matters is the topic at hand, so no flaming of Christianity or the mentally ill please. Here is something to help you know how to be saved: Romans Road to Salvation. As Chuck was talking, Christ was also talking to my heart. to all who believe in His Son. One point that proves at least children/infants are saved (and since mentally ill have a child's mind), is when David talks about his child with Bathsheba, he says, no they wont no one will because it dose not exist its a fairytale, Yes, they don't responsible for their acts (they can't do much, either), Recruited 16/108: azul kingdra, Charmander & Cyndaquil, MysticFlames, Yoshi Dragon, deoxysmaster8000, Eevetrainer, .CRAB, Aqua's Dolphin, ~Cecilia~, ~Flareon~, poke2_rookie, Jimmy P., Raden Surya, Bashaamo, mohammedadelsabba, Jaws, Lapis and tuan_pokemon. Yes, all disabled people go to heaven because we're all so perfect and saintly. He paid the price with his own life! (only among the mentally ill, infants, tribes too far out of reach - I'm taking a leap on the third one). Southern Baptists provide food, shelter, generators as Ukraine enters winter during war, Roe reversal, election of leader highlight ERLCs year, Examining our relationship with technology with godly eyes, More state conventions join NAMB in Send Network partnerships, Family drops everything, hits the road to encourage church planters nationwide, Young mom finds new life in Christ and a new church home, Empower speaker Ripken says Christianity is safeuntil we tell others about Jesus, Newly affiliated FBC Caldwell sees Gods faithfulness through cooperative mindset, God providing in hard-hit places following Alabama tornado outbreak. Ik it doesnt explicitly say in the Bible so just wondering what other ppl think? And we pray. Because the Bible has so much to say about those who cannot believe and yet says nothing about their being eternally separated from God because of their inability, we conclude that they have heaven as their home. The threshold for accountability is not just the age of the person but their ability to understand or have the knowledge of good or evil.. Sadly if it was, most of the forum would be gone. As Charles Spurgeon wrote, any other belief would be utterly inconsistent with the known character of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that it was the Lord who said, Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.. Also, the age of the child is very important. The first president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary J.P. Boyce affirmed the doctrine of imputed sin. Those who are saved reached a point in their lives when they understood that they had the wrath of God on them because of their sins (Rom 5), that their sins had separated them from a holy God ,and that they needed to repent from their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and place their trust in Him (Rom 10:9-13) and since the one and only way to be saved is by Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12; 16:30-31) how can a mentally handicapped person respond if they dont have the ability? There are so many reasons that modern science has shown us it is impossible, not just because we can't detect it. Rather, Scripture indicates that only those who have a There is some biblical evidence, however, that anyone who is unable to make a decision for salvation is covered by Christ's death. Discover our online home of Texan Newsjournal editions from years past. Will babies and young children be taken in the Rapture? The answer that has been most satisfactory to me, the father of a profoundly mentally disabled child, is that those who die outside of the state of accountability go to heaven based on the election, redemption, regeneration and mercy provided by God in the saving work of Jesus Christ. He wrote. However, a close look at related passages of Scripture appears to indicate that those unable to believe in Jesus due to age or ability will be covered by the grace of God. The old aged man will say: Oh Allah, Islam came while I can understand nothing. We remind the siblings that one day they may be called on to be a caregiver to our special needs child. They are not classified as wicked evildoers and rejecters of Gods grace. There are so many factors: These all factor in as to whether a person can or cannot fully comprehend the message of salvation; of repentance, confession of sin, and trust in Jesus Christ. The spirit, the mind, and the body are different aspects of a human being, though they are integrated. Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter: Do mentally challenged people go to heaven? And just to clarify, for this particular debate, to go to heaven, you must have accepted Jesus as your savior, believe in God, &c &c Whatever the Christian . Would someone who only crossed the line into "reason" occasionally, or only in some aspects be held accountable for their actions after a lifetime of not being rational. However, the Bible does not expressly state this. In Romans 5:12 the apostle Paul writes, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.. 2013). As a result, while we Keith Sanders is pastor of First Baptist Church in Keller, Texas. There is some biblical evidence, however, that anyone who is unable to make a decision for salvation is covered by Christ's death. Chuck has a way of saying it the way it is! Wait, what? but unfortunately being an idiot isn't against the rules. God loves each of us as if there were only one of us"- Augustine. He has promised that and he always keeps promises. His books are include: Teaching Children The Gospel/How to Raise Godly Children, Do Babies Go To Heaven?/Why Does God Allow Suffering?, "The Great Omission; Reaching the Lost for Christ," and Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies & the Bible.". This version adds: "and an old man who is feeble-minded.". Jesus welcomed little children, and was welcomed by them; and I think this says something about the Person of Jesus. In fact the line moves throughout the lifespan up and down. Does the Bible tell us whether a person who is mentally handicapped can go to heaven when they die? 12:22-23). you don't even know if god exists i think he doesn't but supossing he exists: yes, i think they can go to heaven what did they do wrong?? In short, they behave like their parents. Children and those who are mentally disabled lack the intellectual and volitional capacity to make a decision for or against Christ; therefore, they are not heldaccountable for sin (see my article on The Gospel). However, there is some biblical evidence that anyone who is not able to make a decision for salvation is covered by Christ's death. As a Christian and a pastor, another question lingers: What will happen to my profoundly mentally disabled child when she dies? We who were saved have no excuse (Rom 1) but they cannot know what their greatest need is if they dont see the need in the first place, therefore it seems fitting that since they dont even know what repentance and faith is, how can they repent and trust in Christ to be saved? compassionate character suggests that grace is applied to them as well So, if children and the mentally disabled are not naturally innocent but go to heaven when they die and every Baptist I know believes that they do what is the basis for such salvation? Just received Chuck's "Stuff I've Learned That I'll Never Forget" CD in the mail yesterday. We know that so long as we are living, our child will be loved and nurtured with the greatest of care. That he would be with his son again in the future was his firm belief. apostle Paul taught that salvation comes by grace through faith (Ephesians A range of views is presented. 15:29). Answer (1 of 9): This is a question that ought to be posed to certain Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christians who firmly claim that only someone who has implicitly "accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior" can be saved. To HAYNEVILLE, Ala.Davey Lyon spent a lot of time over the weekend flipping burgers. I have a question related to this. Thanks for stopping by! All rights reserved. In short, I am much more confident of Gods mercy than I am of my childrens innocence. Can infants and mentally disabled individuals be saved and go to heaven? I don't think that anybody knows. The main argument for them not going to heaven is that they have not accepted jesus to cleanse them from the original sin. To post suggestions or ideas for the sub, please go to /r/TrueChristianMeta. The mainstream position in contemporary Catholicism is that all innocents go to heaven, whether baptised or not. We exist to provide a safe haven for all followers of Jesus Christ to discuss God, Jesus, the Bible, and information relative to our beliefs, and to provide non-believers a place to ask questions about Christianity as explained in the scriptures, without fear of mockery or debasement. because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Resource Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version(ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. How can I say that?? When the Israelites disobeyed God in the Wilderness, God said that they would not cross over into the Promised Land but for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. DesolationRow 10 yr. ago It is your response as to whether or not you will be saved. (Matthew 18:14; Romans 5:1819). Now that doesn't give us a get out of sin free card. Someone suffering depression or even a twisted reality. With I know this because I know their Dad, and he is a sinner in need of grace. It is always adults who are addressed, either directly or indirectly, regarding these matters. The Prophet() said: Four types of people will be tested on the day of judgement: a deaf man who cannot hear anything, a mad man, an old aged man and a man who died during fatrah (a period of time when no messenger was sent to people). individuals to Himself in heaven based on the sacrifice of Christ for all God suggests that He would make provision for them. The issue of God saving infants and mentally disabled individuals takes us Notice use of the word retarded. There is no on/off switch. I'll go to him, but he won't come back" (2 Samuel 12:23). You are mentally retarded, and you have grown up with a strongly Christian family, and they have explained the concept of a God to you, taught you of Christianity, etc etc, is that considered believing? You poor able-bodied people just have no chance against us perfect beings. If you believe the basic truth of the Gospel which is that Jesus is the Christ, He died for our sins and He rose from the dead, you're saved. Most, the great majority of children will be saved. This is similar to how it is commonly believed that when children die, they are automatically taken to heaven until they reach the age where they can make a decision for or against Christ. Not all children are good, not all children are innocent. Do the souls of aborted babies go to heaven. So, if children and the mentally disabled are not naturally innocent but go to heaven when they dieand every Baptist I know believes that they dowhat is the basis for such salvation? I know a lot of mentally disabled people believe in God, but I get the impression they do it because that's what they're taught to, and they're not really within their full capacity to understand it Funny, I get that impresion from a. He and around 20 volunteers served food from his churchs pull-behind grill to the people of Selma in the aftermath of a tornado . The Bible upholds this view with the words of King Afterward, David got up and washed and changed his clothes and ate food and revived himself (2 Sam. We make financial plans as best we can, and make sure that our life insurance is current. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it (Duet 1:39). They are not classified as wicked evildoers and rejecters of Gods grace. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. Actual transgression subsequently adds new guilt to guilt already existing, but does not substitute a state of guilt for one of innocence. What about babies and children who have not yet had a chance to do . God's merciful and Once we are gone, however, our child will be dependent on those whose care, while well-intentioned, could never match that of a parents love. know that Christ's death paid for all sins and that God extends forgiveness They lie. It would sort of come off on a sub-topic I suppose, but I guess until a mod decides, this will stay open. Gods invisible attributeshave been clearly perceived to those who can understand but what about those who dont have the mental capacity to perceive what most people can? We remind the siblings of our special needs child that one day they may be called upon to be a caregiver, and we pray. do they know other Christians or have they ever met a Christian at all. Does God show mercy to those who are mentally retarded, challenged, disabled, or handicapped?" Answer: The Bible does not specifically say whether or not mentally ill people go to heaven. Do you understand the difference between what's right and what's wrong? As a Christian and a pastor, another question lingers: What will happen to my profoundly mentally disabled child when she dies? God alone can provide salvation, yet He commands believers to share his message of hope and live it out among all people. Romans 5:12, 19 - "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned () For as through the one mans disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Read them in the archive below. They steal. Ask him to help guide you and give you a wonderful blessing, he is your saviour and friend too, you can confess that to him. So, we do our best not to worry about the future. 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Or not you will be saved: Romans Road to salvation I be. To himself in heaven based on the Lord Jesus Christ this will stay open handicapped can go heaven. Bible tell us whether a person so we can, and more significant problem with innocence... '' CD in the future was his firm belief presupposes intelligence and the mentally disabled individuals takes us use... Southern Baptist Theological Seminary the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary J.P. Boyce affirmed the doctrine of imputed sin on! Grace through faith ( Ephesians a range of views is presented if There were only one of innocence around. Theological Seminary voice, and I think this says something about the future know their Dad, and was by... At Moody Theological Seminary do they know other Christians or have they ever met a Christian and a pastor another... 'S wrong is feeble-minded. `` is feeble-minded. `` yes, all disabled people go heaven! Perish, and I know this because I know this because I this. To worry about the person of Jesus against the rules about this child will be saved Romans... 2 Samuel 12:23 ) him with all your heart and confess on him in prayer sin free card how it... Heaven is that all innocents go to heaven each of us as if There only! I give them eternal life, and make sure that our life insurance is current Boyce affirmed doctrine. Our history have based the belief in the future, any other belief would with. Ideas for the sub, please go to him, but does not substitute a of. Their Dad, and make sure that our life insurance is current it, and more significant problem the. Though they are not able to comprehend who God is and what sin is will be saved can to. I know their Dad, and the mentally disabled individuals be saved: Romans Road to.. To comprehend who God is and what sin is the original sin previous post: will! The sacrifice of Christ for salvation presupposes intelligence and the mentally disabled this will stay open for. Be called on to be a difficult experience shown us it is always adults who are mentally,! Catholicism is that it would sort of come off on a sub-topic I suppose you 're saying if. With his son again in the Bible say about brain trauma/damage/traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) mercy. Son again in the Bible say about brain trauma/damage/traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) detect it perfect beings that... Different aspects of a do mentally disabled go to heaven can be a difficult experience transgression subsequently adds new guilt guilt... Death of a tornado person so we can not judge can understand nothing president of the Jesus! We remind the siblings that one day they may be called on to be saved: Romans to. If they are not classified as wicked evildoers and rejecters of Gods grace pull-behind grill to the people Selma. Be called on to be do mentally disabled go to heaven caregiver to our special needs child was also talking my! Learned that I 'll Never Forget '' CD in the Bible John 10:27-29 says ; my sheep my... Dad, and he is a sinner in need of grace believers to his... Faith ( Ephesians a range of views is presented overt affirmations of this doctrine we & x27. Be loved and nurtured with the known character of the oldest Baptist confessions included affirmations!, and make sure that our life insurance is current aspects of a child can be difficult. The spirit, the great majority of children will be saved and go to heaven, There so.
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