Spanking

[tall73]

We have three biological children. Number 1 needed the spankings. No doubt. Very strong willed. The rod of discipline (not punishment) was applied. I think the scripture is clear that it's acceptable.

Two and three just needed stern words and looks for the most part. They got a couple of seats every now and again, but not like number one.

God gave us these children to raise. It's not anyone's business how we chose to do so unless there was abuse (which there wasn't).

If someone doesn't think spanking is right, that's between them and God. I'm not going to judge them.

Yes, the children do all respond differently. My son too responded better to spanking than my other two. The girls would be more upset with verbal disapproval, etc. without the need for spanking.

 

[Hammster]

Is corporal punishment prohibited in scripture?

 

[tall73]

Good morning,



Using scripture just gives us something else to argue over... In my opinion, spanking is a useful tool for parents to have in their tool box if it is administered correctly. It's really a matter of common sense, and our rule of thumb is to only spank for willful disobedience, to always give the opportunity for reconciliation afterwards, and to never spank in anger.

Sorry if I derailed your OP.

Kind regards,
Dave

I agree with your opinion on spanking. However, I cannot agree that Scripture just gives us something else to argue over.

 

[tall73]

People can be a lot more creative than that.

Seeing as how we did all those other things in addition to spanking, I guess we were creative enough to have one extra method!

 

[standingtall]

When I was a kid and did something to deserve punishment (which was often enough...LOL), us kids usually had a choice between a whoopin' or being grounded for a week.

I usually chose the whoopin'.

 

[tall73]

If you use a rod on a child you will quite rightly be arrested and your child will be taken from you permanently. So to say that it is a literal description of how a child should be disciplined is just incorrect.

Since the laws in the state I raised my children when they were young said you had to spank with your hand, I did so. I see no issue with that. The spanking still got the point across.

The Scripture suggest various kinds of discipline, of which spankings are just one. So no, I do not say anyone has to use a rod per se.

A 'rod' can take all kinds of forms. Do you know this scripture too:

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Is that rod a 'spanking' rod?

Since the staff does not elaborate, we are not sure. Some do see different uses for the rod and staff though. In any case, the notion that a rod can be used for multiple purposes does not do away with the one use spelled out in Proverbs.

A rod for discipline can be anything that a parent uses to correct their child.

Yes, but do you think this is spelling out just general practices, or specifically striking behavior?

Pro 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
Pro 23:14 If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

We have never, ever spanked our children, and they have turned out just great. They are law abiding, polite, good students, and two are in adulthood already. They have said that they were glad that we did not spank them, that they understood that they were being punished/corrected in the way that we did it, and have said that they will bring up their own kids the same way we brought them up - this is despite the fact that, during some stages of their lives, they said that we were "too strict" with them. Now they are older, they understand the restrictions that we placed on their tv/movie viewing/game playing, and why we always insisted on knowing where they were going/who they were with and why we would punish them if they lied about this. Two are safely at adulthood, the rest are on their way, and I'm glad we didn't hit them hands, spoons - or rods.

You have every right to raise your children without spanking, and if that worked for you, then great.

A parent who spanks without anger or enjoyment, and with caution for the sake of the child is also not a problem.

 

[tall73]

You've provided adequate Scripture...

Adequate for you to think that spanking is not an unbiblical practice?

I'm old enough to have had some first hand experience with corporal punishment, both from the giving and receiving end of the paddle. Looking back on it now, I'd sum it all up by saying "Show me where frequent spankings took place and I'll show you some very poor parenting."

I wouldn't disagree. Spankings should not be a frequent thing. If you have to spank often they are not working, and some other method should be tried.

 

[Hetta]

Yes, but do you think this is spelling out just general practices, or specifically striking behavior?

General practices.

 

[Hetta]

If you have to spank often they are not working, and some other method should be tried.

That's not the way it works. You should try other things before spanking. After spanking, what is next? If striking a child so that it feels pain does not work, what next?

 

[Hammster]

That's not the way it works. You should try other things before spanking. After spanking, what is next? If striking a child so that it feels pain does not work, what next?

Another spanking. They eventually tire it.

 

[Hetta]

Another spanking. They eventually tire it.

Are you serious?

Wow.

I'll bow out, because I can't agree with spanking on top of spanking. Discipline should not move immediately to hitting children, and when that does not work, hitting them more.

 

[Hammster]

Are you serious?

Wow.

I'll bow out, because I can't agree with spanking on top of spanking. Discipline should not move immediately to hitting children, and when that does not work, hitting them more.

When did i say anything about immediately spanking (which is different than hitting)?

 

[tall73]

That's not the way it works. You should try other things before spanking. After spanking, what is next? If striking a child so that it feels pain does not work, what next?

That sometimes is the way it works. Children go through phases. Spanking was never the first resort for our family. However, if we knew that a particular child responds to spanking in a serious situation, then we used it.

However, children change over time. Some respond to spanking for a while, then at a different stage do not. So stop using it.

When I was a child I responded to spanking better than other punishments for a while. Then I stopped responding so my father changed to something else.

 

[tall73]

General practices.

if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

So let me get this straight. In this text, striking with a rod means everything BUT striking with a rod? It means every general practice you can think of for discipline, other than what is actually stated?


I am not sure I can accept that description of the text.

 

[Hammster]

I think some folks think a rod must be some one inch lead pipe, or something.

 

[ThisBrotherOfHis]

General practices.

Then how do you explain that the Hebrew word translated "rod" -- choter -- can only be translated "branch," "twig," "rod"?

Show me where I used the word 'victims'.

Total strawman.

The implication is there, whether you want to admit to it or not. And none of your replies to me have made an effort to refute anything I said.

And where did you get your information on the height of countertops and children, anyway?

 

[favoritetoyisjoy]

Adequate for you to think that spanking is not an unbiblical practice?



I wouldn't disagree. Spankings should not be a frequent thing. If you have to spank often they are not working, and some other method should be tried.

I believe spanking is Biblical.

 

[Bluelion]

if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

So let me get this straight. In this text, striking with a rod means everything BUT striking with a rod? It means every general practice you can think of for discipline, other than what is actually stated?


I am not sure I can accept that description of the text.

You take this as literal Sheol is the place of the dead now we know Only Jesus can save us from that place, So it is clear God did not mean the rod would save us. The rod is discipline not literal striking. Like i said it is metaphor.

and Hetta made a good point "thy rod and staff confront me" why would a striking be a comfort? But if rod means discipline that makes a whole lot of sense.

It is a lack of partnering to strike a child, it is an easy way, it is much harder to be evolved in the child life.

 

[Hammster]

You should look up what the rod was for in shepherding. It's pretty enlightening.

 

[Bluelion]

You should look up what the rod was for in shepherding. It's pretty enlightening.

The Shepard rod was use in defense of animals who would attack the flock. They used it to herd the flock how ever i doubt the struck the sheep with it or they would have ran but used it as a guide. I symbol to the sheep, which supports my change tone of voice to correct a child this is how the rod was used with sheep. Funny you think a rod to beat of wolves and to protect the Shepard and sheep should be used the same way on the sheep as on the wolves.