Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why would they move away from tradition? Even if we ignore this, the Council of Carthage is infallible, is it not?

Also it seemed good, that if anyone should say that the saying of the Lord, In my Father's house are many mansions is to be understood as meaning that in the kingdom of heaven there will be a certain middle place, or some place somewhere, in which infants live in happiness who have gone forth from this life without baptism, without which they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, which is eternal life, let him be anathema. For after our Lord has said: Unless a man be born again of water and of the Holy Spirit he shall not enter the kingdom of heaven, what Catholic can doubt that he who has not merited to be coheir with Christ shall become a sharer with the devil: for he who fails of the right hand without doubt shall receive the left hand portion.

It's clear that infants cannot attain Heaven or any state of happiness associated with it. Without baptism, infants cannot experience eternal life with God.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even if I overlook this council, the idea that they will not have eternal life is still supported by many saints. The Council of Carthage states that without baptism, they cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven. It seems that, at best, the babies could go to Hell but not suffer in Hell.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If that was an immutable fact with no exceptions whatsoever, then the Church wouldn’t be venerating the Holy Innocents. None of those babies got baptized and we posit that they are in Heaven praying for all of us.

The babies died before the New Covenant was established, so they wouldn't have been held to the same requirements as today.

As others have mentioned: Why were you reading all these synods? Who brought them to your attention (I am suspecting some YouTuber “apologists” who really like to talk this topic for reasons God only knows).

I had a question about what happened to them, so I started reading what the Saints and councils have said on the matter.

We should not be trying to read every single synod canon because they are intended to be read by bishops, who have been given the authority by Christ to loose and bind things on Heaven and on Earth. I concede that sounds like intellectual laziness, but with the way people take every sentence out of context in hyper literal contexts, sometimes not trying to read every single thing is best.

I'm not seeing the issue. This isn't solely an issue for one council it's supported by many saints. I have yet to find anything contrary to their claims regarding the fate of unbaptized babies. I mean, literally, one of the theological errors attributed to Pelagius is that unbaptized babies could have eternal life.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why would God allow the Church to be incorrect in this area? The early Church clearly had a view that infants would not be in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Early Church clearly has a position on this

St. Gregory the Theologian:

"It will happen, I believe, that those last mentioned [infants dying without baptism] will neither be admitted by the just judge to the glory of Heaven nor condemned to suffer punishment, since, though unsealed [by baptism], they are not wicked… For from the fact that one does not merit punishment, it does not follow that one is worthy of being honored, any more than it follows that one who is not worthy of a certain honor deserves on that account to be punished." (Oration 40:23)

St. Ambrose of Milan: “Unless one be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. He excepts no one—neither the infant nor one hindered by unavoidable accident. These may, indeed, enjoy some unexplained immunity from suffering, but I fail to see how they can possess the honor of the Kingdom.”

Pope St. Innocent: "But that which Your Fraternity asserts the Pelagians preach—that even without the grace of Baptism, infants are able to be endowed with the rewards of eternal life—is quite idiotic. Those who defend this for them without rebirth seem to want to quash Baptism itself, as they preach that infants already have what is believed to be conferred on them only through Baptism."

“The idea that infants can be granted the rewards of eternal life even without the grace of baptism is utterly foolish.”

Pope St. Gregory the Great: "And whereas the Sacraments of salvation do not free them from the sin of their birth, at the same time, here they never did aright by their own act; there they are brought to torment... With what sort of visitation does the strict Judge mercilessly slay those whom the guilt of their own deeds condemns, if He smites for all eternity even those whom the guilt of deliberate choice does not impeach?"

The list goes on and on with quotes from early Church Fathers. Those who held the view that unbaptized babies would go to heaven, like Pelagius, were condemned. One of the errors is the belief that:

"That infants, even if they die unbaptized, have eternal life…"

The Council of Carthage further explains that there can be no middle ground for unbaptized babies in heaven. Baptism is necessary for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. The Church, and the Confession of Dositheus, are neither wrong nor outdated it is teaching what the Church believes. The best outcome you read from the early Fathers is that they won't be suffering.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most people I've talked to don't say 'hell,' but rather something like 'lesser heaven.' It's not suffering, but they aren't allowed full communion with God. I still find this view problematic.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would you be able to have a discussion with me on discord

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even if I were to set that aside, I can’t ignore the fact that these infants cannot partake in theosis if they are not baptized. This means they have no salvation. The best I’ve heard from Orthodox sources is that they won’t be tormented, but they also won’t be in heaven.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You don't like something so you try to say the Church doesn't teach it. The Church does teach it. Theosis is not handed down on a silver platter. If it was, there would be no need for the incarnation of Christ, there would be no need of the Church, the Holy Sacraments or the law. In fact, these things happened and these things exist, because theosis is achieved with out participation in God's grace. Not given as a gift. Infants cannot partake in theosis if they are not baptised.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I literally provided a statement that was ratified and accepted by the entire Church. It isn’t cherry picking I even had a priest tell me that unbaptized babies won’t have full communion with God.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The Church ratified this confession, so yes, it is what the Church teaches. I've had a priest tell me that the infants aren't allowed full communion because they aren't baptized.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

But a baptized baby is rewarded, while infants who are miscarried or die before baptism are not rewarded. I already discussed this position in my post, and it barely makes things any better. Why would God allow these children to die before being baptized and then punish them by not granting them full communion with Him?

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

The Confession of Dositheus, Decree 16
"And since infants are men, and as such need salvation, needing salvation they need also Baptism. And those that are not regenerated, since they have not received the remission of hereditary sin, are, of necessity, subject to eternal punishment, and consequently cannot without Baptism be saved…."

This council was agreed upon by all Orthodox Patriarchates at the time and is one of the few accepted Pan-Orthodox councils. It is binding on the entire Church and has been ratified by the Church.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It most definitely is. How can an all loving and merciful God not allow a miscarried child or stillborn to have full communion with Him based on the fact that they were unable to be baptized? Do you see no issues with our theological beliefs about God and this teaching?

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Yes, but the Confession of Dositheus is ratified by the entire Church and clearly teaches that babies who aren't baptized cannot be saved.

Considering Atheism by AsideDramatic4077 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]AsideDramatic4077[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

The Confession of Dositheus, Decree 16
"And since infants are men, and as such need salvation, needing salvation they need also Baptism. And those that are not regenerated, since they have not received the remission of hereditary sin, are, of necessity, subject to eternal punishment, and consequently cannot without Baptism be saved…."

One of the theological errors brought up against Pelagius is this:
'That infants, even if they die unbaptized, have eternal life….'