Spare the Rod? Does the Bible Promote Spanking?

I’ve already written about Ezzo’s parenting books .  However, he isn’t the only Christian author telling us how to raise our kids in a punitive manner.  Tripp, Welchel, and the Pearls to name a few.  It seems that Christian-based books are much more likely to include “training” and physical punishment than secular parenting books.  Does the Bible want us to spank?

The verse oft cited to command corporal punishment is

“He who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him correcteth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24)

The word “rod” is translated from the Hebrew word shebet. A shebet is a shepherd’s staff or a king’s scepter, and it sybolizes authority.  A shebet was used to guide sheep and to protect them by fighting off predators - not to strike the sheep. Using the word shebet, God gives parents the authority and responsibility to discipline – a word meaning to teach – their children.

Conversely there are a myriad of verses in the New Testament that go against this aggressive and punitive parenting style:

“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance. . . ” (Gal. 5:22, 23b),

“Love is patient, love is kind” ( I Cor. 13 )

“. . . we proved to be gentle among you as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children” (I Thess. 2:7)

“do to others what you would have them do to you” (Mat. 7:12), etc.

My favorite is Matthew 25: 41-46;

“‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’  He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Mat 25: 41-46)

Yes, we have a responsibility to teach our children and raise them in a Godly manner but we also have the example of grace, kindness, and gentleness that we should exhibit in all things.  You can raise your kids without CIO and spanking so, why wouldn’t you?

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Please join us all week, June 25-June30, 2012, as we explore the world of gentle, effective parenting.  We have new posts each day by talented authors providing us with insight into why gentle parenting is worth your time and how to implement it on a daily basis.  

We are also giving away several parenting book and other goodies from our sponsors this week.  Please stop by and enter to win!

This year's beautiful motherhood artwork is by Patchwork Family Art. Visit the store to see all her work.

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