Spanking of children

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

MS>>You will find if you look in the book of Hebrews a long discourse by Paul
MS>>on chastizement. It is certainly the responsibility of the parent to 
MS>>properly discipline a child. The child who is not appropriately punished
MS>>for wrongdoing is considered an illegitimate child by Paul.  His concept
MS>>of chastizement would be what was set forth under the law.

Stan>I will look for this.  Should I not find the scripture you speak of could
Stan>you tell me where in Hebrews it is?

Hebrews 12:4-12

MS>> The reason we have so many unruly children in our culture today is because
MS>>they  are
MS>>not made to obey. It is especially bad here in El Paso.  The hispanic
MS>>culture is very permissive with their children.  I wonder if that
MS>>is why there are so many gangs here.

Stan>This is a bit of a stretch and a misguided assumption in my mind.  I believe
Stan>that the reason we have unruly children is that they have parents that do
Stan>not love them, not give them any time or guidance.  I believe the reason
Stan>children join gangs is because of the need to feel wanted and be part of a
Stan>family. Their parents probaby did beat them. In fact it's probably the only
Stan>attention that they received from their self-centered parents.

The specific thought I was dealing with was corporal punishment, not the 
entire concept of parenting. A child must have more than punishment to be
properly trained.  The hispanic culture *here* is very self centered. I have
no authority to comment on any more than my personal experience. Still if the
children were taught a respect for the law they would not be lawbreakers. 
There is absolutely no justification that can be made for the activity that
is prevalent among gangs.  I had friends that I associated with when I was
a young person. We didn't call ourselves a gang.

The bible tells us that a child that is left to himself will bring his mother
shame. Ignoring a child through self-centeredness is doing what the bible
calls leaving a child to himself.  The shameful state of our society is the
result of much self-centeredness. It also takes effort to train a child,
consistent effort by both parents. Both parents must agree on what is
appropriate behaviour and then enforce it with whatever means is required
within the scope of sound biblical principles.

Modern thinking wants us to reason with our children instead of enforcing
parameters of obedience. Positive redirection and other such concepts are
no substitute for sound bible based training procedure.  The influence of
Spock has revolutionized child rearing in this country but not for the
better.

I fear for you and your desire to throw away large portions of the bible.
Our very faith in Christ is securely founded in the law.  The bible states
emphatically that the law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.  Bear in
mind that the same Spirit that gave us the new testament is the One who 
gave us the old testament.  Some may disagree with me but the only part of
the law that is not in effect for us today is the ceremonial part of the 
law because it was fulfilled in Christ. We are still responsible to maintain
the moral aspect of the law.  Sin is identified by that law. John the
beloved told us that all unrighteousness is sin and that it is also the
transgression of the law.  The Holy Ghost is supposed to be the law written
not in tables of stone but in our heart.  The very purpose of the Holy Ghost
is to enable us to keep his statutes and judgements and *do* them. Those 
who truly walk in the Spirit will not transgress the law because the Spirit
of the Lawgiver abides in their heart.  If you love Him keep His commandments.

Remember that stubbornness and rebellion is like idolatry and witchcraft.
Both of these are abominable in the sight of the Lord.

In Christ,
MGS

--
Mark Strahan	 ac928@rgfn.epcc.edu    GENUINE JESUS' NAME BRAND SALVATION
___________________________________________________________________________
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men whereby we *must* be saved.         Acts 4:12