Hello, Chad.  You and I have had this discussion elsewhere, I know. I am
sorry to find so little charity in you toward great men of God with whom you
disagree.

On the substance of the issue, I will be happy to address matters privately
with folks who are interested. The subject is easy to research, a simple
Google search for "infant salvation" will bring you to Spurgeon, Boettner,
John Piper, Warfield, Hodge, and a multitude of other sources holding and
supporting the majority view. Anyone who is interested in learning from
those who have gone before and considering their thoughts in grace may
easily do so, whether or not they ultimately adopt the views of those
brethren.

My reason for writing before is well illustrated in your post. I cannot
understand the spirit that drives you to insult and deride your brothers in
Christ, merely because of a disagreement over such a doctrine.

I would not, for any purpose, insult a Warfield, a Spurgeon, a Piper, a
Hodge, by asserting that their theology was the result of a "sentimental
cramp." I see no reason to assume the worst of someone merely because I
disagree with them. To say that David's reference is the "only reference" is
a mere conclusory thrust with which no one who has written on the matter
agrees. Many texts are relevant, although, as you know, I also do not see
any one text as determinative to any of the five views.

This tendency to deride those with whom we disagree is the great curse of
discussion lists in general and, unfortunately, a common indictment of
Christians of all ages. To disagree reasonably and charitably, and to deem
others worthy of more honor than ourselves, is of the warp and woof of our
faith and duty. The fact that someone lived long ago does not make our duty
less, the fact that they disagree with us does not make our duty void.


James W. Allen
jallen@...