Is the age of accountability biblical?
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I'm not sure if an exact age is found in scripture other then a time in life where one can comprehend the conviction of sin and in turn the offer of Jesus Christ for salvation..
It is true we are born in sin and right out of the gate start on our path of sin..
A certain age with God?..
i reckon God knows the heart and knows everyone perfectly so He knows when that day is..
As for society, different cultures have their various ages for "adulthood" or when they are to take responsibility for their own actions......
It is true we are born in sin and right out of the gate start on our path of sin..
A certain age with God?..
i reckon God knows the heart and knows everyone perfectly so He knows when that day is..
As for society, different cultures have their various ages for "adulthood" or when they are to take responsibility for their own actions......
There are a few voices that may point to this, but of course there is also a danger of creating a doctrine based off of one verse.
In 2 Samuel 12:21-23 we can see an instance where this is present. This verse could be interpreted more than one way. One way would be to say David would see this child after he dies, or it could only mean that David will die eventually as the child did, but he does not have power to bring the child back to life.
21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
We do know that there is a tradition for an age of accountability within Judaism. This was held according to Genesis 2:18, where tradition is held that it was at age 13 Isaac was weaned, and given responsibilities as an adult.
Within the tradition, boys are considered responsible for their actions at age 13, and girls at 12 (I believe this is due to the idea that girls mature faster, and most girls reach puberty before boys). Until they reach the age of which they become responsible for their actions and observance of the law, their parents held responsibility for actions and observances instead.***
In Romans 7 Paul speaks of how there was a time when he did not understand the Law, therefore did not realize that the sins he committed were wrong. Once he realized that they were wrong, that is when sin came to power over him.
When speaking of children, we must also realize that we don't necessarily know the full extent of what children may know. I remember being a young child and believing in God. Although I knew nothing of Jesus, I knew there was God, and at the time that's all that I needed to know. I did not understand until I was 11 years old what salvation even was, and even after still did not fully understand it. It's very plausible that even small children have realization that there is God, even without knowing Jesus.
This may be part of why Jesus warned against misguiding children. They come to faith easily, but false teaching can tear them away from their belief in God. Parents, and other adults children come into contact with should be responsible for teaching them about God and Christ.
Paul also says that even for those who don't know Jesus, that creation showed the invisible qualities of God (Romans 1:20)
One argument against the age of accountability is that we are guilty of sin at birth.
One verse already used here for that is Psalm 58:3, but to look at the context of the chapter, it is not speaking of all people being evil. It is speaking of those who are wicked (against God), and that they have been wicked from birth.
We need to remember that the curse we received from Adam was not that we were automatically guilty of sin, but that we have a sinful nature. We are compromised because we are flesh, and will eventually sin.
***I could be mistaken on some of these points, but I believe I have stated everything correctly.
In 2 Samuel 12:21-23 we can see an instance where this is present. This verse could be interpreted more than one way. One way would be to say David would see this child after he dies, or it could only mean that David will die eventually as the child did, but he does not have power to bring the child back to life.
21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
We do know that there is a tradition for an age of accountability within Judaism. This was held according to Genesis 2:18, where tradition is held that it was at age 13 Isaac was weaned, and given responsibilities as an adult.
Within the tradition, boys are considered responsible for their actions at age 13, and girls at 12 (I believe this is due to the idea that girls mature faster, and most girls reach puberty before boys). Until they reach the age of which they become responsible for their actions and observance of the law, their parents held responsibility for actions and observances instead.***
In Romans 7 Paul speaks of how there was a time when he did not understand the Law, therefore did not realize that the sins he committed were wrong. Once he realized that they were wrong, that is when sin came to power over him.
When speaking of children, we must also realize that we don't necessarily know the full extent of what children may know. I remember being a young child and believing in God. Although I knew nothing of Jesus, I knew there was God, and at the time that's all that I needed to know. I did not understand until I was 11 years old what salvation even was, and even after still did not fully understand it. It's very plausible that even small children have realization that there is God, even without knowing Jesus.
This may be part of why Jesus warned against misguiding children. They come to faith easily, but false teaching can tear them away from their belief in God. Parents, and other adults children come into contact with should be responsible for teaching them about God and Christ.
Paul also says that even for those who don't know Jesus, that creation showed the invisible qualities of God (Romans 1:20)
One argument against the age of accountability is that we are guilty of sin at birth.
One verse already used here for that is Psalm 58:3, but to look at the context of the chapter, it is not speaking of all people being evil. It is speaking of those who are wicked (against God), and that they have been wicked from birth.
We need to remember that the curse we received from Adam was not that we were automatically guilty of sin, but that we have a sinful nature. We are compromised because we are flesh, and will eventually sin.
***I could be mistaken on some of these points, but I believe I have stated everything correctly.
All people are evil, wicked, against God.
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. (Psalm 14:1-3)
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10-12)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. (Psalm 14:1-3)
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10-12)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)