Brett (AKA The Boneman) wrote about how we Reformed folk are to disciple/nurture our children not evangelize them. I remember when I was trying to come to grips with the idea of “presumption of regeneration” or “gracious regard of the baptized” (however you wish to linguistically cast it) discipling my children seemed like the most natural thing to do. I mean, I was crossing over from the Baptists, so if I was still evangelizing my kids, how was I any different from the Baptists? I got a lot of nervous and almost angry accusations from some Presbyterians…”You mean you don’t evangelize your kids???”
My answer is always a solid “no.”
Why should I evangelize my kids? I assume them to be in the Covenant. I assume they need to grow up in the faith and to improve upon their baptisms. I assume they need to hear the Gospel in all its fullness not just a truncated private altar call. And, until they give me reason to think otherwise, I assume them to be Christians. Why would I treat them any differently than any other child of God? Unless, of course, you think we need to constantly evangelize members of the Church.
I thought that was the Reformed tradition.
It is the Reformed tradition.
ABSOLUTELY! We are called to make disciples, and that is what we do for our children. THEY ARE NOT OUTSIDERS!
Posted by: RevK | May 22, 2008 at 01:43 AM