The Corporeal Discipline of Children

All of you should know that the state government of California is attempting to outlaw spanking of children of any age as a means of child discipline or correction. In lieu of this, someone anonymously sent our Biblical presentaion on the corporeal discipline of children, written by our principal, Pastor David Sutton, to the Contra Costa Times. They proceeded to do a front page news article on it. The AP picked it up, so I noticed that the Denver Post and the Carlsbad, NM newspapers printed the story. Fox News came to our office saying that they wanted an interview this week. After that, Channel 11, local NBC showed up with their cameras and got our principal and one of our teachers. The next day a major radio station in Denver, KHOW (they'll start talking to him at minute 12; at minute 21 of the second hour, consider the caller named Kent), called our principal to talk to him and did an interview with him.

We believe in Biblical spanking.

Biblical spanking lovingly disciplines or corrects a child for disobedience (sin), not for accidents or immaturity. Biblical spanking includes instruction. The Bible calls for the use of the rod, which is a wooden implement like a tree branch, thin and flexible, that causes a sting but not injury. This acts as a correction, deterrent, and punishment. Scripture says that it cleanses away guilt (Prov. 20:30). The Bible does not instruct in the use of the hand to discipline a child. This is what the state is calling for. The Bible does not instruct in speeches and in yelling, the Alec Baldwin methodology. When the will, not the spirit, of a child is broken, to where he becomes a respectful, submissive person, as opposed to a rebellious, self-willful person, he usually needs very few spankings. My children need very few anymore. They, however, are necessary especially between the ages of 1-4, and this is the time period the state is concentrating on prohibiting. Here are applicable passages on spanking:

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

The Bible says only "rod," not hand, fist, electrical cord, or vacuum hose. The rod is God's means for discipline and this is what Sally Lieber and the state legislature wants to take away from parents. She wants parents to rather strike them or hit them with their hand. The hands of a parent should be used to nurture, hold, hug, and protect his children. This is where someone, who hates Scripture and has power, wants ignorantly to destroy society. She, the cat owner with no children of her own, should keep out of parent's affairs unless some real abuse or crime has been committed.

Opponents say, "But that's only Proverbs and only OT. Jesus didn't spank." First, Jesus didn't have children. Second, Jesus didn't need a spanking, because He lived perfectly. Third, since Jesus did everything the Father would do or have Him to do, He would spank, because the Father spanks.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Hebrews 12:5-10

See how really clear this actually is. It's OT and NT. It's what God says. We should believe God is a loving God, a wise God, and do what He says. The state should not be interfering with what God says.

Let's review some truths:
1. God created everything, including us. We can't create or sustain anything.
2. God is smarter than us.
3. God said use a rod.
4. God didn't say use anything else.
5. We should trust God because of #1-4, and then just do what He says.
6. When people have done this historically, practiced Biblically, things have worked out well.
7. When people started not doing it this way, things got much worse.

Children have shorter life spans who do not get properly disciplined. We're all against child abuse, but it is also abuse when a child doesn't get the discipline he needs.

Here's the NBC Channel 11, local story on us. You'll see Pastor Sutton, Mr. Kutrieb, and then others. Notice the next story of a SCHOOL THREAT---apropos for comparison, supplying a reason to spank.