J
Jeffgo
Guest
So, I’m sure you’re all aware of the theological conundrum regarding the fate of unbaptized babies. Baptism is the sacrament that remits original sin and unites us to a life of grace with Christ. However, those who wish to be baptized but cannot through no fault of their own (or who would want to be baptized if they knew it’s necessary) receive the graces of baptism through baptism of desire, and those who are martyred before being baptized receive the grace of baptism through baptism of blood.
Theologians have mused for centuries regarding what happens to unbaptized babies. It would appear unjust for them to be damned, since they didn’t even have the capacity to reject God or commit personal sin. But, assuming that they’re automatically saved seems at face value to negate the necessity of baptism. So, what happens to them?
Some theologians have proposed the idea of Limbo, where unbaptized babies live forever in a state of perfect natural happiness, as opposed to the perfect SUPERNATURAL happiness of heaven. Others have proposed that they are taken to heaven through some mysterious grace of God.
I have a thought on this subject, and was wondering what you all thought. Perhaps unbaptized babies undergo some form of purification after death to cleanse them of the stain of original sin, and then enter heaven, in some way similar to how those who die in a state of grace undergo purification in Purgatory if necessary. Perhaps this purification of unbaptized babies could be part of the process of God granting them the graces of baptism?
This idea would include the best of both of the other two views regarding unbaptized babies (Limbo vs. automatic entrance into heaven). Like Limbo, this idea explains why it is so important to baptize babies, even if they won’t be damned (they would be excused from the aforementioned purification if baptized). However, these unbaptized babies are still granted the beatific vision in heaven in the end.
I’ve never heard anyone else articulate this idea, so I’m wondering what you all think. The fact that it isn’t articulated by others leads me to believe that there is something wrong with it, and if there is anything heretical about this idea, I’ll gladly abandon it in favor the teachings of Holy Mother Church.
Theologians have mused for centuries regarding what happens to unbaptized babies. It would appear unjust for them to be damned, since they didn’t even have the capacity to reject God or commit personal sin. But, assuming that they’re automatically saved seems at face value to negate the necessity of baptism. So, what happens to them?
Some theologians have proposed the idea of Limbo, where unbaptized babies live forever in a state of perfect natural happiness, as opposed to the perfect SUPERNATURAL happiness of heaven. Others have proposed that they are taken to heaven through some mysterious grace of God.
I have a thought on this subject, and was wondering what you all thought. Perhaps unbaptized babies undergo some form of purification after death to cleanse them of the stain of original sin, and then enter heaven, in some way similar to how those who die in a state of grace undergo purification in Purgatory if necessary. Perhaps this purification of unbaptized babies could be part of the process of God granting them the graces of baptism?
This idea would include the best of both of the other two views regarding unbaptized babies (Limbo vs. automatic entrance into heaven). Like Limbo, this idea explains why it is so important to baptize babies, even if they won’t be damned (they would be excused from the aforementioned purification if baptized). However, these unbaptized babies are still granted the beatific vision in heaven in the end.
I’ve never heard anyone else articulate this idea, so I’m wondering what you all think. The fact that it isn’t articulated by others leads me to believe that there is something wrong with it, and if there is anything heretical about this idea, I’ll gladly abandon it in favor the teachings of Holy Mother Church.