Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

My opinion: I don't like it and I think it confuses categories.

I wouldn't want to speak in terms of regeneration the way that he did for the confusion it presents. It's sufficient to speak about the things that are revealed (Covenant participation and belief in Christ) rather than the things that only God knows.

I think the reason why we have confidence when our children die is that they were in the Covenant of Grace, set apart from the world by God's Word itself, and we have no revealed or circumstantial information that would undermine our every confidence that they are with the Lord. The Word considers little ones born into believing households to be disciples. Just like we don't doubt the salvation of a grown man who is a disciple we don't doubt little ones who are disciples. In neither case do we judge based on regeneration, which only God knows.