FK, if you look for Jesus, you won't find him in Leviticus but in the Gospels where he is quoted as saying "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." [Mat 19:14; cf Mark 10:14). This would hardly be proper for creatures who are bound to hell from birth.
I would also disagree with the ROC if her position is that when conceived we have the presumption of going to Heaven until the first accountable sin is physically committed
I would imagine that the Church would have no reason to believe otherwise, given the scriptures.
That would contradict many passages of scripture describing our condition as a result of Adam: Rom. 5:14-21
Many passages? The issue with Romans 5 is one of translation, the crucial verse being Roma 5:12 is where we find the critical phrase ἐφ᾽ ᾧ πάντες ἥμαρτον (ef’ ho pantes hemarton).
There are at least two ways this can be translated. The early Church, using the same language and being the closest to the culture and mindset of the apostles, interpreted it that death passed on to all men because all men have sinned, not because in whom [that is in Adam] all men have sinned, although the latter is a legitimate translation as well.
But, again, you seek Jesus in odd places, such as Romans, the Psalms and Jeremiah but not where Jesus' words are quoted directly.
Even if the Psalms and Paul believed were are born in sin, Jesus thought children were fit for the kingdom of heaven.
The Bible tells us all about it: Deuteronomy 32...Rom. 9:14-15...Is. 45:21
More Paul and Old Testament. The Church is the Church of the Gospels, FK. God's justice is revealed in them as mercy for the undeserving sinners. And James (2:13) says that "Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
FK, if you look for Jesus, you won't find him in Leviticus but in the Gospels where he is quoted as saying "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." [Mat 19:14; cf Mark 10:14). This would hardly be proper for creatures who are bound to hell from birth.
We find Christ throughout the OT. He is the same God, now and forever. ----- You are right that the verses you cite do not apply to the reprobate. They refer to true faith being pure and innocent, like a little child. To extend a bit:
The elect will receive the kingdom of God like a little child. The reprobate will reject the kingdom of God.
FK: The Bible tells us all about it: Deuteronomy 32...Rom. 9:14-15...Is. 45:21
More Paul and Old Testament. The Church is the Church of the Gospels, FK. God's justice is revealed in them as mercy for the undeserving sinners. And James (2:13) says that "Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
Well, I certainly have learned that the Apostolic Church does treat some of God's word very differently from other of God's word, and even has it competing against itself. I still don't understand how anyone can acknowledge that the Bible is God's word and yet treat it as if some of God's word is more true such that some parts should be kept and interpreted a certain way and other parts should be ignored or discarded. It is one thing to say we are no longer under law but under grace so we should treat some of the OT a certain way. The Bible confirms that is correct. It is quite a different thing to throw out Paul when he disagrees with a certain interpretation of the Gospels. Nowhere does the Bible tell us to do that. Perhaps it is the interpretation that is wrong and not Paul. :)