Corporal Punishment

in the home

The Desire…and the Reality• All parents desire well behaved children

(and many children desire to please their parents).

• Reality: we live in a world full of sin.– Rebellious and defiant behavior.– Selfish, neglectful, abusive parents.

Review• The purpose of discipline is to “raise them

up in the way they should go”. Prov. 22:6• Discipline is all encompassing: it includes

teaching, warning, and correcting… to bring about godly behavior.

Disclaimer• NOT to cause division between those who

use corporal punishment and those who don’t.

• IT IS to bring clarity about what the Bible reveals about corporal punishment as a biblical guide in the overall process of raising our children.

Two World Views

Colliding

Research on Corporal Punishment:

What Do You Want To Prove?• Old and new research each generally reflecting

societal views.• Current research that reveals benefits and harm.• The current societal trend: corporal

punishment is an outdated, hypocritical and unjust practice.

  Allowed in homes and schools & schools

Only allowed in home

  Banned in homes and schools

Research vs. God’s Word• The value we place on research and the

Bible play a large part in our beliefs.• Further, how we scrutinize and interpret both

research and passages in the Bible affect/refine our beliefs.

• May God’s word be foremost. Isa. 55:7-8

The Wisdom of Proverbs

The Wisdom of Proverbs• NOTE: Proverbs is not a book of “law” but

wise sayings, as breathed forth by God.• The debate is whether or not these

proverbs are literal or figurative.• We will seem to justify our view

based on our interpretation.

Proverbs 19:18“Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.” (NASB95)

Proverbs 29:15“The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.” (NASB95)

Proverbs 22:15“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.” (NASB95)

Proverbs 13:24“He who withholds his rod (staff, club, scepter) hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” (NASB95)

Proverbs 23:13-14“Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.” (NASB95)

New Testament Application?

Freedom in Christ• There is no “New Testament Law” that says

we are bound to use corporal punishment.– Parents are given general directives. Eph. 6:4– We “discipline” as seem best to us. Heb. 12:10

• There is no current law (but, great societal pressures) that bans parents from using it.

Future Considerations

Government Intervention• Is it sinful for government to ban corporal

punishment? Cp. Rom. 13:1-5• If the law is meant for good (to protect the

child): would you be willing to submit?• It is necessary to be in subjection,

not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. V. 5

Concluding Remarks

As for Me and For My House• Parents/guardians (currently) have the

freedom to use or not use corporal punishment based upon the laws of this land and employment of biblical principles.

• The explicit wisdom of God’s word,however, should not be neglectednor rejected in favor of man’s wisdom.