Tough Questions: Do all babies go to heaven?
Reflections
“The question of whether all babies go to heaven is one of deep personal and pastoral significance and the cause of much anguish to a great many people. From the outset, it is important to acknowledge that no verse of scripture addresses this matter specifically; however, much can be inferred from a variety of pertinent texts, from which we can take a great deal of comfort,” says The Rev’d Charlie Lacey
The question of whether all babies go to heaven is one of deep personal and pastoral significance and the cause of much anguish to a great many people. From the outset, it is important to acknowledge that no verse of scripture addresses this matter specifically; however, much can be inferred from a variety of pertinent texts, from which we can take a great deal of comfort.
It is sometimes asserted that babies go to heaven because they are “sinless”, however, this line of argument is inadequate. The Bible teaches that sin is like a hereditary disease that has been passed down to every human being throughout history (see Romans 5.12), it is therefore present at every stage of development. This need not cause consternation because no-one enters heaven on account of their sinlessness. God saves people, not because they have the right to be saved, but because he is gracious.
God reveals himself to humanity in a variety of ways, not least through creation itself. Romans 1.20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” An infant is incapable of comprehending God’s eternal power and divine nature and so lacks the capacity to reject God’s revelation of himself. Moreover, even though infants are not sinless, they do lack the opportunity to sin. When we consider these two facts together, it could be said that infants are, to all intents and purposes, innocent.
In Matthew 19, when Jesus reprimanded the disciples for shooing away parents who were most likely bringing their babies to him for a blessing, he said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Verse 15 continues, “When he had placed his hands on them…” This laying on of hands almost certainly refers to an act of blessing. It should be noted that, nowhere in scripture does God explicitly place his blessing on people who are not part of his kingdom.
Our final appeal is to God’s nature. The Bible places great emphasis on God being loving, compassionate, merciful and just. Indeed, Psalm 89.14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” We can trust God to do what is right and just for each and every infant who passes into his care, and I believe that means mercifully welcoming them into his kingdom.
First published on the St Andrew’s, Springfield website in February 2024.
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