I have already pointed out this excellent interaction with Peter Leithart. But since then someone else posted an astute comment showing how all this ties in with a belief in the free offer of the Gospel (as John Murray called it) and Common Grace (on which John Murray also wrote a brilliant essay).

I would like to highlight Pastor Leithart’s concern that we say what we say to our children “meaningfully”. This is my concern as well coming from a Baptist background. Hosea would seem to be a great example of Yahweh’s passionate affection and concern for his people as a whole, including those headed for destruction. We appear tentative at best and unwilling at worst to talk that way about the church. Perhaps, asking for the difference between children of believers and the children of unbelievers would be helpful. We say to children in the covenant, “The benefits of the covenant of grace belong to you – you have a share in the inheritance – now believe it”. But of the unbelievers and children we have to say you have nothing until you come in. Sorry if these thoughts are a bit spotty. I am simply trying to use language that expresses the ‘favor’ Leithart speaks of. Happy to hear a push back . . .