Part 2: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child

The Book of Proverbs is not divine commands to obey, nor promises to claim.

Redemptive trajectory is the name William Webb gives the change, the growth, or the movement of ethics we see begin in the Bible and continue in our world today. This movement towards better ethics in the Scriptures is only visible once we have a clear understanding of what the culture was like in ancient Biblical times. The rod, whip, & heavy knife were instruments used to discipline the accused. Spanking is ethical movement away from Holy text’s specific ethics. While present day spanking is a much improved form of discipline, there is still much room to grow!

Some examples of how spanking is outside Biblical instruction:

• Spanking without bruising does not reflect what “living in obedience to Scripture” would look like if we are following its concrete instructions- which pro-spankers claim to be doing. Bruises, welts, & wounds that came from a sound beating were seen as a virtue. Proverbs’ rod of discipline verses are interconnected with verses that celebrate wounds for cleansing (Pro. 20:30).
• The instrument: The truth is mutilation and torture were very much a part of Ancient Near Eastern culture. When the rod was used for discipline, it would severely injure or even kill (Ex 20:21).
• Location: Choosing an open hand to hit a child on the butt (instead of the back) reflects Christian culture’s desire to cause less harm- this shows movement towards better treatment of humans.
• Putting an age limit on spanking goes beyond, or outside, the specific text in Scripture. Solomon clearly teaches flogging for adult foolishness (Prov 10:13, 26:3). Why do we not spank foolish adults if it works so well on foolish children? Deuteronomy 21:18-21 says the town should stone to death the teenage son who doesn’t listen to his parents. Why then should we stop spanking at elementary age when Scripture makes no allowance?

The concrete specific teachings in the Bible about corporal punishment have very little in common to the two-smacks-max spanking method adopted by many Christian parents today. This is important because pro-spankers say they are following the Scriptures literally, as opposed to the implied meaning. When in fact, they are ignoring the literal words of the text. One cannot say they accept the literal teaching and then not apply the literal teaching. My aim is to bring light to the fact that Proverbs is not divine commands to obey, nor promises to claim.

Spanking is actually ‘movement’ away from Scripture’s ancient Biblical ethics. And if pro-spankers can see their own movement, then greater movement is conceivable. Christian brothers and sisters, spanking is not Biblical discipline! Let’s keep running towards Kingdom Ethics and the grace and freedom we have in Christ!

Read Webb’s book if you are interested in a deeper dive. Also, read the Book of Proverbs from chapter 1 to 31 and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Pursue Jesus and share your concerns about discipline with Him in prayer.

Read my book review on Corporal Punishment in the Bible by Webb here.

_{Sources: Corporal Punishment in the Bible by William Webb; Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson}