Christian references for non spanking??

[Sweetiemommy]

Does anyone have any helpful advice to refute the old "spare the rod" argument?

[jlpumkin]

http://catholicparenting.com/Html/Pa...Nospanking.htm This argument is from a Catholic perspective. I especially love the interpretation of the "spare the rod" scripture. Less about physical punishment and more about the gentle guidance a rod was intended for when herding sheep as in the original context.

[Fay]

Well, Ephesians 5:21-6:9 talks about reverence in all family relationships, with no mention of hitting. Because slaves were part of the family unit in ancient times, St. Paul specifically says that masters should not threaten their slaves. Since freeborn children held a much higher staus in the household than slaves, it would be logical to assume that children are not to be threatened or beaten either.

[somanythings]

www.gentlechristianmothers.com has great articles on the "rod" verses ("spare the rod spoil the child" is not actually in the Bible, anyway, btw. It is from a Victorian era bawdy poem about "domestic discipline" or spanking in the marital bedroom, ick) Anyway, I highly recommend the Gentle Christian Mothers site, the well-educated Biblical scholars who write there and post to the boards can answer most any question on Biblical parenting WITHOUT spanking.

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

http://catholicparenting.com/Html/Pa...Nospanking.htm This argument is from a Catholic perspective. I especially love the interpretation of the "spare the rod" scripture. Less about physical punishment and more about the gentle guidance a rod was intended for when herding sheep as in the original context.

This is a good article.

[Sweetiemommy]

Thanks, the websites should be helpful. The bible does not use the saying "spare the rod, spoil the child" but Proverbs does say the following (I do not think that Christians are bound to take everything literally, btw, I am just clarifying what some people use to defend their position on spanking):

Prov 13:24: "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (diligently)."
Prov 19:18: "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."
Prov 22:15: "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
Prov 23:13: "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die."
Prov 23:14: "Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Shoel)."
Prov 29:15: "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."


Here is a good article http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/jan19...4-article1.htm

[kangamitroo]

my perspective on the New Testament is aligned with that of the Historic Peace Churches, so there is my bias.

but this is a pretty strong one for me:
"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40)

with the peace church view, if we are meant to treat "the least among us" as we would treat Jesus, should that not mean gentleness toward our children?

[kangamitroo]

i just popped over to Religious Studies and discovered there is a great thread on religion and spanking. lots o' references.