Evangelization after death

Evangelization after Death. The remaining position contends that infants will mature or grow up after death, at which time they will be given an opportunity to believe. Those who believe will go to heaven. Those who do not (if there are any) will be lost.

Statement of the View. A minority view holds that young children will be allowed to "grow up" in heaven, hear the Gospel, and decide for themselves where they will spend eternity. This belief goes back at least to Gregory of Nyssa in the fourth century. Some Roman Catholic theologians now hold it (Boros, 109-11). Sanders summarizes it: "People are condemned to hell for their own willful sin. Jesus died for all people, including young children who die. All people receive sufficient grace for salvation. The act of faith is necessary for salvation" (Sanders, 298). The belief that young children who die receive an opportunity to accept Christ is one of the few positions that does justice to all four premises.

Critique of the View. Admittedly, there is an absence of any biblical text which states that infants will "grow up" in heaven, although this is not an uncommon belief as applied to the size and shape of the resurrection body. In response, proponents point out that neither are there biblical texts explicitly stating the doctrine of the Trinity, but that does not mean it has no foundation in Scripture. Doctrines can be properly deduced or inferred from other biblical teachings.

However, even if infants do mature in heaven, there is no evidence that they will be evangelized there. The only place for evangelism mentioned in the Bible is earth (<a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+28%3A18-20">Matt. 28:18-20</a>). It is explicitly stated in Scripture that there is no hope for salvation beyond the grave. For "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (<a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Heb+9%3A27">Heb. 9:27</a>; cf. <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+16%3A26-31">Luke 16:26-31</a>; <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jn+8%3A24">John 8:24</a>). In response, it is argued that these texts apply only to those who have lived to an age of accountability and have rejected the light God has given them, not to those who have not.

Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics.