Dear Mr. Froese,

Your belief that aborted babies and infant children who die end up in hell came as a real shock. First John 2:2 tells us that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was for everyone. These infants haven’t had a chance to not believe in Christ (John 3:18b, Psalm 139:16).

Their names were written in “God’s book” when they were conceived. This is the book of the living, the “Book of Life,” which contains the names of all for whom Christ died. I’m sending notes by Dr. Bryce Augsburger that cover this issue.

Wesley Lindstrom, MN

Answer: Yours is not the only letter that shocked me as well. Why? Because of apparent misreading. Again, I will mention Noah’s flood and Sodom and Gomorrah. All, including infants, perished. That fact, however, did not determine their eternal destination. Those who died before Jesus accomplished the atonement were “waiting in prison.” Read 1 Peter 3:19 and 4:6: “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison…For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”

I also mentioned the fact that God “has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world,” according to Ephesians 1:4. It stands to reason, therefore, that God knows precisely which one of those little ones, even unborn, will accept or reject his offer of free salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

What I outrightly reject is the teaching of universalism. That means all will be saved. That clearly contradicts the collective teaching of Holy Scripture.

Thanks for the note about the Book of Life. I also deal with that subject in my new book, Revelation 13: Satan’s Last Victory.

Again, the Bible makes it clear that “whosoever will,” and definitely does not support automatic and collective salvation of all people, in this case, infants.