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| Q: | Suppose a non-Christian adult, after exploring Christianity through appropriate instruction and follow up in the Word, were open to and in no way hostile to the Gospel but still personally very troubled by doubt. Would it be at least potentially helpful and appropriate for such a person to receive the sacraments, baptism followed by regular participation in communion, given that the sacraments are a means of grace to create faith, in hope that, through these additional means of grace, those nagging doubts of this hypothetical individual could be cast away? As examples of the type of individual of whom I speak, consider TV personality Larry King who, though appearantly unable to sincerely confess Christ as his Lord and Savior, has, on his show, interviewed numerous times solid Christian leaders like John McArthur and Jim Dobson as much for his personal interest as for the interest of his viewers and supposedly once said that the person he would most like to interview is Jesus Christ and ask Him if He was who Christians profess Him to be. Also consider Thomas H. Huxley, who, I understand, in an encouner with evangelist D. L. Moody said, in tears, after Moody shared his faith, that he would be willing to lose his right arm if it would enable him to believe what Moody believed. Sould such appearantly open yet profoundly doubting individuals be offered and potentially benefit from receiving the sacraments? | ||||||
| A: | Using your own definition, namely, a "non-Christian adult," I would answer your question negatively. If after "appropriate instruction" (a term that probably needs clarification) a person is familiar with the saving truth of the Savior, but still does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as his Savior and Sin-bearer, then the most loving and fitting pastoral response would be to continue to instruct and declare the unconditional gospel until by the person's confession we joyfully observe that the Holy Spirit has created saving faith in the heart. Although the sacraments are certainly means of grace and convey the same unconditional gospel, Bible references to their use with adults (e.g., Luke 3:7, 1 Corinthians 11:27-29) indicate they are best administered with a view to the spiritual condition of recipients. A major challenge in answering your question is the need to define or clarify terms. A "non-Christian adult" is more than "very troubled by doubt." Being weak in faith and having doubts is not a barrier to the responsible use of the sacraments as long as saving faith and the desire to grow spiritually is present. But interest in or some measure of intellectual appreciation for the gospel is not faith. Also, by Bible definition, there is no non-Christian who is "in no way hostile to the gospel." Prior to conversion there is a definite and unavoidable antagonism against the gospel--despite complimentary things a person may say about Jesus or the Bible. The problem with the examples you gave (Larry King, Thomas Huxley) is that accurate or authoritative appraisals of the spiritual condition of these men is lacking. I imagine that most observers would classify these men as agnostics who expressed some degree of intellectual or emotional appreciation for some Bible ideas or teachings (or perhaps professing Christians). But I know of no evidence that they saw themselves as damnable sinners freely saved by a gracious Lord. Pointed, specific preaching of law and gospel remains the necessary treasure to be shared. This is what the Holy Spirit promises to use for his saving purposes. | ||||||
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