The Case for Children

Immanuel Fellowship Church

The baptism of an infant gives us an opportunity to reflect with thankfulness on God's covenant promise. He is the God of believers and their children.-Covenantal baptisms should also encourage us to thank God for little children. They are, in literal fact, evidence of God's covenant promises.-Sadly, the beauty of children is no longer a given. We are experiencing what one recent news article called -a global baby bust.- Seventy-five years ago women had about five children on average globally. Today that number is less than half. The reasons for this are complex- they include industrialization, more widespread use of contraceptives, and the legalization of abortion. But there are other issues at play. One Christian researcher has identified what he believes is a core reason we are having less children. He calls it -'civilizational sadness.' As developed countries have become more secular - people have generally lost a sense of hope for humanity's purpose. This takes away a lot of the incentive to raise up future generations.- But -civilization sadness- should not be an issue for believers. We have know humanity's purpose. And we have hope that God is still working his saving grace in covenant families through the children he gives to the church.-God wants his people to have a positive vision for children.