Cheryl Schatz

godrulzz37 Thanks for your kind words! It seems to me that principles are based on what God has already said, thus knowing what God has said is highly important. I don’t think Ryan has had time to read my response. Does a verse have multiple interpretations? I believe that we must research the words and grammar to understand what God has written and doing that will make any “alternate” interpretation fall away. That is why questions like Ryan brought out are very important. When we deal with questions head on and study diligently to answer, this will either bolster our view or make us re-evaluate what we believe. I think this is a win-win proposition. It is why I appreciate questions and challenges. They allow me to become stronger in my position or change my position. The issue of babies going to heaven because they are part of humanity whom Christ died for is legitimate. But for most of Calvinism, this is not part of their theology for Christ only died effectually for the elect. To allow babies to be saved, in that view, must mean that all dead babies are pre-elected unconditionally from eternity past. That would also mean that no un-elect baby is allowed to die. Or one is stuck with unborn babies going to hell and suffering which is not the position that Jesus took when He welcome all children to Himself. The character of God is a big part of the answer one brings to the table. As far as “original sin”, I do not believe that a person is charged with Adam’s sin that is passed on to his offspring, but I do believe in a sin nature known in scripture as the “old man” is passed on through Adam and it shows itself as a natural tendency to rebellion and sin. I wrote a piece on this on my other blog here http://strivetoenter.com/wim/2006/11/20/adam-as-head-of-the-family/ This article explains the necessity of the virgin birth because of the sin of rebellion of Adam. As far as the Augustinian view of original sin, I have not read his writings, so I can’t comment on his views. The Catholic view does not match with the Scriptures so I would reject what they teach about baptism and babies. I hope this helps. I am working on two other articles on the Lamb’s book of life. The first one will be who is in the book of life and the second article will deal with Rev. 17:8 regarding whose name is not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. I hope the articles will be thought-provoking.