THE BIBLICAL ARGUMENT

The Most Dangerous Misconception

"Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child.  It's in the Bible!"

#1 "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child" does not actually appear anywhere in the Bible.  This is a quote from a 17th century poem, 'Hudibras'.  The author, Samual Butler, was satirically poised against the use of corporal punishment when he wrote it.  What pro-spankers of the religious community fail to realize is that they are in fact quoting an atheist who penned the term to disenfranchise the practice.

#2 Altogether, the list of actual scripture cited is as follows:

Proverbs 13:24 – “He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
Proverbs 19:18 – “Discipline your son for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Proverbs 22:15 – “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 23:13 – “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”
Proverbs 23:14 “Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.”
Proverbs 29:15 – “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”

There are allegedly twelve references to corporal punishment against children in the bible, but I could not identify them. It is often questioned if sources outside of the book of Proverbs, also routinely cited, actually refer to corporal punishment and even if those within Proverbs do.  Discipline (like “Disciple”) means to teach and guide, and chastisement and punishment alike are not necessarily painful.

#3 Spanking in and of itself never appears in the Bible and in fact, the Bible predates the practice by thousands of years.  If read literally, beating them with a lethal weapon, which they apparently won’t die from, does.  An act not socially or legally condoned today, thus, the literal translation is not a wise nor legal route to consider.  The Old Testament and its laws are those which God gave specifically to Isreal for the purpose of preparing the people for the coming of Christ.  It is a poor resource to cite when discussing how to treat children in modern day, post crucifixion.  Forcing non-virgin brides to be stoned, foolish drunkards to be handed over to the masses at the gates of Isreal for slaughter, genocide, forcing victims of rape to marry their attackers, et cetera, as valid examples of laws aboloshed as Jesus lay dying on the cross.  The physical punishment of our children is not an exception to this rule but a symbol of the peace and prosperity that he brought as he lived and died.  Jesus died for the sins of all, young and old.

 

#4 You would be wise to read the Bible with a few grains of salt, not only because of the time the Old Testament represents, but also, because the Jewish culture and Hebrew language were rife with metaphors.  The Shebet, the Hebrew word used in the stead of the rod in these verses, represented a shepherds staff used to guide his flock, not to hit them (pictured below).  If read in its intended context, the Bible asks that you guide your flock (children) and ward off attackers and intruders.  To take it literally would mean you take the word of God as it was intended when written, completely out of context.  If you read it literally, you may also interpret the "rod of Jesse", "thy rod and thy staff", and "the rod of tyranny" literally as well, which is not recommended.  There are also over 10,000 versions of the "one true book" with different words and entire sentences, each changing the overall influence they have on the reader.  Your personal bias when reading may be influencing what you believe to be the word of God.  As I stated before, neither "punishment" or "chastisement" directly advocate physical contact with your child.  Other scripture, if read literally, imply slitting your own throat for gluttony.  Christian author Stephanie Cox delves more into this debate in her book, Gentle Firmness, found here.

​

#5 The word "beat" is also an example of a word which did not necessarily appear.  The word used in its stead meant to embrace, or engulf, as in a hug, or the sun beating on your face.  If you then embrace guidance, they shall not perish in any way shape or form.  When referencing the "crying" of a child, many believe it insinuates physical pain.  However, Proverbs 8:1 tells us that wisdom doth cry.  Poetry at its finest and purest, but poetry none the less.

 

#6 The proverbs are of King Solomon and it is widespread understood and accepted in the faithful communities that this likely references his personal parenting style.  His son, Roheboem, succeeded his father's throne with a tyrannical and violent rule.  We then assume that as God had warned Solomon against the use of corporal punishment, he stubbornly ignored.

​

​#7 It is advised you take caution when reading our modern translated and edited versions of the English Bibles.  They do not necessarily represent the original Hebrew context and as a result, can not embody the true word of God.  As discussed before, the Bible predates spanking by thousands of years.  Yet, one version of the rod verses has been specifically altered to include the word "spank".  This slow but sure transition of scriptures has been occuring for centuries.  With so many language barriers and individuals skewing the wording to fit their own ill intended perspectives throughout history, the true wording, meaning and purpose of scripture has become lost to so many faithful followers only doing what they thought God intended.

#8 There is also no definitive link to the practice and an origin within the religions that the faithful opposition adheres to.  The Holy Grail is pagan, originally a relic known as the Witch’s Cauldron.  Easter is a Roman goddess who represented fertility, hence the egg and rabbit symbols we associate with this holiday.  It’s well understood that information was exchanged between seafarers of foreign lands and traders of goods, such as the predominate alphabet we use today, and stories and foreign behaviors are no different.  Early missionaries changed and defiled traditions and included artifacts, stories and characters for the sake of winning the conversion of the cultures they rewrote into their faith.  You may be hard pressed to believe that theologists and historians alike strongly believe that the origin of corporal punishment was once a fertility ritual in celtic groups which some churches adopted to deter young males from premarital sex and masturbation.  A quick look into the Sexual Damages subsection of our DAMAGES page will show a definitive link.
 

​#9 The New Testament, which strictly forbids the use of inhumane methods against people et al, was a way to correct the flaws of the Old Testament, according to many theological scholars.  Jesus, the savior, very adamantly defended that we are not born sinners (Psalms 51:5).  The New Testament discusses in depth the golden rule, a theme consistent amongst varying religions.  Do unto others as you would have done unto you.  It not only never expresses the use of pain against a child, but expressly warns against it.  Christians, as the followers of Christ, would then abide by this instead.  Unfortunately, there is always a stretch and one that is stubbornly guided by perspective.

​

#10 Contradictory scriptures are also available.
Hebrews 12:6-7: "...the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?“

This passage again discusses discipline.  Many would argue this is the way to interpret “tough love” doled by our heavenly creator while examining hardship endured in the domestic setting by ones own parent (father).  God however does not whip, beat, spank, or otherwise violate us.  He uses life experiences to discipline us and sometimes those life experiences are difficult, but it is still not a justification for assault.  The following passages, also often referred to follow suit.
Colossians 3:21 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Ephisians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Hebrews 12:29 – “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.”

 

As Shakespeare famously wrote, "The devil may cite scripture to suit his purposes".

 

#11 Unfortunately, an evangelical will read this and tell me that our science is the modern serpent tempting us from the words of God and testing our faith.  The statistics presented in Society v. Reality are not a temptation, but rather a fact, as are the histories of prison inmates, as is the irrefutable science presented.  The covenant of your church without a doubt understands that science is the unveiling of God's great design, such as our anatomy, and should not be ignored or dismissed as nonsense or heresy.

ROMANS 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse

Does your body not moan when you strike your children?  Does it not see the truth, when you can not?  In the DAMAGES subsection, we illustrate the harm that it presents to not only your child, but to you as well, much of which is permanent and the deep biological cry that your body makes when you act against the relationship you were intended to have with your children.

​

#12 "It is above all in raising children that the family fulfills its mission to the gospel of life.  By word and example in the daily round of relations and choices, and through concrete actions and signs, parents lead their children to authentic freedom in the sincere gift of self, and they cultivate in them a respect for others, a sense of justice, cordial openness, dialog, generous service, solidarity, and all the other values which help people live life as a gift."
- Gospel of Life

Never once is corporal punishment referenced in the Gospel of Life as a tool for parents to use in their "mission as educators".  Scripture also tells us in the Gospel of Life that will is a gift given to us by God, and a great gift it is.  Forcing your will upon another or demanding obedience and breaking the will of another through force does not respect this gift.

#13 Some believe that the freedom of expression gives them the right to not only spank their children, but also more extensively abuse them, as a practice of their religion.  However, courtesy of the U.S. Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, “Some raise faith-based justifications for corporal punishment, suggesting that certain interpretations of religious texts not only justify its use, but provide a duty to use it. Freedom of religious belief is upheld for everyone in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Art. 18), but practice of a religion or belief must be consistent with respect for others’ human dignity and physical integrity. Freedom to practice one’s religion or belief may be legitimately limited in order to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.”​​​  Regardless of who chooses to disagree, this is not the theocracy they believe it to be where one religion defines our laws.  Otherwise, polygamy would be up for debate.  Polygamy most assuredly is not up for debate.  According to the United Nations Decree on the Freedom of Expression, the right to practice your beliefs is eclipsed by anothers freedom from them and the rights of a child always trump the rights of an adult.

#14 If you have not been swayed by any of our previous arguments, and insist that the Bible instructs you to harm your child, consider this.  In the original context of the Bible, the word child never appears.  The word which is used in the rod verses is "Na'ar" which in hebrew translates to adolescent male.  From this, we derive two things:  Children younger than 13 can not be struck, and two, daugters are protected from corporal punishment.  However, even given the time frame, this makes no sense.  Taking into account our previous arguments instead though, it does.

Scholarly Articles:
Proverbs 23:13-14 Randall Heskett
Thy Rod and Thy Staff, They Comfort Me:  Christians and the Spanking Controversy by Samuel S. Martin

Additional Arguments:
The Hippie Housewife - Taking the Rod Verses Literally
Parenting Freedom
Arms of Love Family Fellowship
Gentle Christian Mothers
Why Not Train a Child?
Real Child Development
I Take Joy
Momma on a Mission
"20" Reasons NOT to Spank - Believe that God calls you to spank your children?  Think again!
Redemptive Christianity