Exploring Infant Baptism

The novel, "Is it Well With the Child?" by William Oosterman, explores the issue of what happens to children who die before they know right from wrong. It does this by telling the story of a four year old boy who died, never having been baptized. The small community is shattered and hardly knows how to comfort the parents, who most feel, were wrong not to have baptized him. With the give and take of dialogue, Oosterman examines this theological issue from several viewpoints. Their Catholic housekeeper admits she took the child and had had him secretly baptized in the Catholic church, which then asks the question, "Is it the outward act itself, however it was done, that matters?" This family was not Catholic.
Although I agree with the reasoning and appreciate the Scriptural arguments he puts forth in defense of the idea that all babies who die go to Heaven, I disagree with his ultimate conclusion. The Scriptural arguments are rather vague, and where Scripture stops, we must stop. I don't believe we can know, and must instead leave it with God. As Abraham said, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" It's not my idea of right that matters, but God's, who has all wisdom. Think for a moment: even Adolf Hitler could have been a cute baby and sweet little boy, but God knows all things, even the future of cute little babies.
The reason I must disagree with his conclusion, is that the ramifications are not logical. If it was automatic that every baby who died before birth, or children who died before they could repent, went to Heaven automatically, then the logical conlcusion would be for Christians not to be opposed to abortion, because the babies would go to Heaven, whereas if they lived, they may or may not. I cannot see the logic in that. "Shall we do evil, that good may come?"
Is there no advantage then, to children of believers? Of course. They have the opportunity to hear the gospel in many ways and can see it lived out in their parents' lives. But it must be their own faith, not their parents. When we stand before the Judgment Seat, we will not be hanging onto our mother's apron strings. It's like a turnstyle, you go through one at a time. God has sons and daughters, He doesn't say He has grandchildren. Yet, parents often feel they have to "do" something for their children, but they cannot. Even the concept of Child Dedication is, to me, just a holdover from infant baptism. It makes the parents feel good. Who are they dedicating? Are they not dedicating themselves to raise this child in a Christian home? Would they not have done that without a ceremony with the child in a fancy lace gown? Of course, any true Christian would. Yet, I know many who stand up in front of a congregation and promise to do just that, but then they never actually do it. We made no such public proclamation, and yet we did it. What's better? Jesus asked the same thing. He said one son said, "Yes, Father I'll do it, but didn't do it, and the other son said he wouldn't do it, but then repented and did it." It's better to obey than sacrifice. (But I digress).
I know the author, and I generally agree with him on most things, but not this time. Sorry, Willy.