Do the severely retarded need to be saved?Do they have free will or are they one of God's little 'exemptions'?

Question

Patrone: do you teach question diverting in Sunday school?

Answer 1

Yeah they all need to be saved. Only God knowds for sure if they understand who God is and what He has done. I am sure he would not be cruel on them.

Answer 2

Now I am surprised that the Atheist haven't picked up on this one. Or maybe you are and have? Anyway the severely retarded like everyone are saved, IMO, by the Incarnation of the Word made flesh. The rest is all extra. (Note: this is my opinion only, and NOT the teaching of the church) Before they come for me let me say this, the severely retarded have an IQ so low they do not know the difference between right and wrong, same as a child under age 7, and are therefor as you say 'exempt'.

Answer 3

It would definitely be an exemption in Arminian circles since they would have the same status as infants and Jesus did not need to die for them. Calvinism however says that everyone of every age needs a savior, or the effect of Adam's fall was a lie. The Bible does not differentiate those above & below an age of reason and doesn't emphasize any capability to make decisions, which leaves the reason for baptism and a "marking out" of God's own as compared to those who will not conduct their households in a Christian manner. Same concept as circumcision in the OT.

Answer 4

My honest opinion is that they were some of God's most choice spirits in the premortal existance and he didn't want to lose them. I think we all have "earthly" trials and that is theirs. They were still able to come to earth and gain a body making it possible for them also to return to live with Him again.
I think having those mental problems would have pros and cons in a way...pros being the person I think is pretty much a shoe-in for the Celestial Kingdom but the cons they don't really get to "experience" life as the rest of us - like most of them die young, are never married or have kids...
Anyways, thats just my two cents.

Answer 5

If one is to speculate why God does something or How He does something, one will never come to a reasonable conclusion. Because man thinks with Reason and God is far superior to man. Who is to know all the questions there are possible to ask of God? One thing is for certain. He does things for His purpose and His reason. Who are we mere humans to tell God what He is and isn't supposed to do? He created us, not the other way around. God is in control and although we may not understand that's okay because He is the one running everything. If I ask myself everyday why why why, then I will never be able to get over myslef long enough to see the bigger picture, that it's not up to me or what I think is right. It's up to the one who created me.

Answer 6

Their mentally is like a very young child that couldn't possibly understand , so I believe they are protected. There are different levels of retardation, some may understand.

Answer 7

The Bible does not expressly say, but the standard Baptist answer is that someone cannot be responsible for his actions if his mind is not developed enough to make a choice. So he would be assumed to be an exception.

Answer 8

The retarded are not capable of making a decision for Christ, so they would come under the same catagory as babies.
The Bible tells us that even if an infant or child has not committed personal sin, all people, including infants and children, are guilty before God because of inherited and imputed sin. Inherited sin is that which is passed on from our parents. In Psalm 51:5, David wrote, "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." David recognized that even at conception, he was a sinner. The very sad fact that infants sometimes die demonstrates that even infants are impacted by Adam’s sin, since physical and spiritual death were the results of Adam's original sin.
Each person, infant or adult, stands guilty before God; each person has offended the holiness of God. The only way that God can be just and at the same time declare a person righteous is for that person to have received forgiveness by faith in Christ. Christ is the only way. John 14:6 records what Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Also, Peter stated in Acts 4:12, "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." Salvation is an individual choice.
What about babies and young children who never reach the ability to make this individual choice? The “age of accountability” is a concept that teaches those who die before reaching the “age of accountability” are automatically saved, by God’s grace and mercy. The “age of accountability” is a belief that God saves all those who die before reaching the ability to make a decision for or against Christ. Thirteen is the most common number given for the age of accountability based on the Jewish custom that a child becomes an adult at the age of 13. However, the Bible gives no direct support to the age of 13 always being the age of accountability. It likely varies from child to child. A child has passed the age of accountability once he or she is capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.
With the above in mind, also consider the following: Christ's death is presented as sufficient for all of mankind. First John 2:2 says Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." This verse is clear that Jesus' death was sufficient for all sins, not just the sins of those who specifically have come to Him in faith. The fact that Christ's death was sufficient for all sin would allow the possibility of God applying that payment to those who were never capable of believing.
The one passage that seems to identify with this topic more than any other is 2 Samuel 12:21-23. The context of these verses is that King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, with a resulting pregnancy. The prophet Nathan was sent by the Lord to inform David that because of his sin, the Lord would take the child in death. David responded to this by grieving, mourning, and praying for the child. But, once the child was taken, David's mourning ended. David's servants were surprised to hear this. They said to King David, "What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food." David's response was, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." David's response can be seen as an argument that those who cannot believe are safe in the Lord. David said that he could go to the child, but that he could not bring the child back to him. Also, and just as important, David seemed to be comforted over this. In other words, David seemed to be saying that he would once again see the child (in heaven), though he could not bring him back.
Though the Bible leaves open the possibility, the one problem with saying that God applies Christ's payment for sin to those who can't believe is that the Bible does not specifically say that He does this. Therefore, this is a subject for which we should not be adamant or dogmatic. We can, however, be dogmatic about the fact that God ALWAYS does what is right.
Knowing the love and grace of God, God applying Christ’s death to those who cannot believe would seem consistent with His character. It is our position that God applies Christ's payment for sin to young children and those who are mentally handicapped, since they were not mentally capable of understanding their sinful state and their need for the Savior. Of this we are certain, that God is loving, holy, merciful, just, and gracious. Whatever He does, it is ALWAYS right and good.

Answer 9

we are the sheep that follow Christ, the good shepherd. His sheep hear his voice and they come to him.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God

Answer 10

the bible says only those who reach the age of accountability are held accountable for their sins, so no they dont have to