Do those mentally incapable of accepting/comprehending Christ or God go to heaven?

Question: Do those mentally incapable of accepting/comprehending Christ or God go to heaven?


Answer submitted by Erik Neilson:
This is one of those things that people wonder about but seldom discuss. I'm grateful for this question and the spirit behind it because it raises some deep theological issues. People often wonder, "What happens to babies that die? What about children? What about those who are mentally ill? What about those who have never heard?"

At face value these seem like honest questions from people who are really wondering. I suspect most of us wrestle with these matters because we know someone who fits into one of the aforementioned categories. Let me speak directly to the question and then bring up a few additional thoughts.

The doctrine of "original sin" supposes that all people are born already guilty of sin. I feel safe in saying that the majority of Christian scholars and pastors (at this point in American Christianity) subscribe to this notion. I personally do not believe that we are born already guilty of sin, but would say with 100% certainty that we are born predisposed to sin and will all inevitably sin. Romans 3:10 says, "No one is righteous, not even one." Similar statements are made in Rom 3:23, 1 John 1:8, etc. Because of the doctrine of original sin some people believe that everyone who dies without formally entering into a relationship with Christ will go to hell...no exceptions. That would include babies, mentally ill people, etc.


But...most pastors and scholars I've spoken to and read believe in something commonly called the "age of accountability." This is simply the idea that children (or those with childlike minds) are not held accountable for their sins because of their age and level of understanding. They are incapable of grasping their own sinfulness, unaware of the fundamental problem between wickedness and righteousness. Essentially, they have a childlike innocence which protects them in the event of their death and subsequent judgment. There are a few passages in Scripture that would seem to support that idea:

-In Matthew 19:4 Jesus said, "“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
-When David's son died he said, "I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.” (2 Sam 12:23)
-In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said, "“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."

I feel safe in saying that these passages seem to indicate some kind of different status for children and perhaps those who are childlike in their thinking. I would caution that this a gray area and there is no definitive age or clear criteria given us by which to apply this principle. What we discover, if we trace this out far enough, is that God will be the final judge of each person and their inclusion or exclusion for heaven is his call. It is, after all, his kingdom.

To close I would like to suggest that we consider the motivation behind these types of questions. Often times people ask questions like this without really being honest about their motives. Behind these questions often lies some serious doubts. We say with are lips, "Will babies who've died go to heaven? What about the mentally ill?" But what we're really wondering in our hearts is "Can I trust God? Is God really fair? Is God really good?" It's ok to have honest doubts about matters of faith, but it's dangerous to take a critical angry posture toward God. There are no easy answers or "one-size-fits-all" approaches to difficult questions like these. As we ponder, pray, study and talk about who will and won't enter the Kingdom of God we should first remember the foundations of our faith. God is love. (1 John 4:8) God doesn't want anyone to perish. (2 Peter 3:9) God is Lord of all and we aren't! (Isaiah 45:9) Some abandon their faith over relatively obscure issues while completely ignoring the bedrock truths of our faith. Honest doubts draw us deeper into prayer, Scripture and the fellowship of believers. A critical spirit inflates our own self-righteous opinions while pulling us farther from the God of truth.