The rod

The 'rod' is literal and is known to be so exegetically, historically, contextually, and given the whole counsil of God.

It is not however only singular in it's intent or meaning.

It encompasses the whole system of disciple leading up to that point.

Yes, corporal punishment is biblically correct.
But there is FAR more to discipline than spanking.

Children have to understand why, and not just 'because I (daddy or mommy) said so'.

I will use God to illistrate this point since we are to be imitators of Him.
Why does scripture state that we as Believers are to "fear the Lord"?

Is it because He is a tyrant and will deal out lashings at His whim when the mood takes Him?

No, we are to fear the Lord because He alone has the authority over us to judge us. We are to 'fear the Lord' not out of terror and common fear but respect or reverence. He has given to us to know what He desires (good) and that which He will not stand for (bad). And when we choose to go against His rules we are going against God Himself. The Lord will not just let is slide. He WILL chasten and even 'scourage' His children:

Scouraging is used to chasten and or train by affliction, and is why is was a judicial punishment for those who broke the law.
Afflction is –noun 1. a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery: They sympathized with us in our affliction.
2. a cause of mental or bodily pain

I use this scripture above because it specifically states that it is God who scrouges. God is the one who did it. Now since we know God doesn't come down and literally physically discipline we know this is a metaphorical usage implying however the same intent and extent for our understanding. Look at the rest of the passage :

We are to train up our children in the same manner that God does with us. He does not start with scrouging but with chastisment. Yet, both of these are necessary to things to convey the in temporal form the pain these acts of rebellion will cause them later but THAT pain will be more than can be imagined.

As I stated earlier, I'm not saying to smack a child every chance a person gets. It should be either 1) the last step of discipline, or 2) done promptly to convey the seriousness of the matter in question. But at ALL times it should mirror LOVE and the God we serve, and how He disciplines Lovingly - Us. One should never discipline in anger and most definately discipline in a corporal manner while angry.

Anyway - that is my 2 cents. I had like a whole page but I lost it. Oh well.

BTW - I like this from 'somewhere' (can't remember) but the we are to use an impliment for disciple (ie, rod/small stick, belt, et) and not our hand. Why? Children should see the hand as their security, but the implement of discipline as that which should be avioded at all cost. I thought it was rather good.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :godisgood:

That is great Web!

Good for you, helping out your wife and giving her some much needed rest.

 

Congratulations, webdog!
Love your pic.
How many of each do you now have?

 

I have read and reread Tripp's book and believe his writing to be biblically correct.
I do not believe that the rod is merely a symbolic instrument of authority. I believe the rod is as literal as the whip and harness mentioned in Proverbs 26:3.

 

Personally, I've never read the verse as, "To make sure your child is properly disciplined, beat your child with a rod". I think the message contained in the verse is lost on that. To me, the message reads, "Discipline your child, and do not let him become spoiled."

love,

Sopranette

 

My daughter was born 3 weeks early and is currently 6 weeks old. It's been difficult and wonderful all at the same time. Thanks for asking. We also have a 4.5 year old son as well.

Simple. It is the author's intent that is to be followed not the exact implementation.
Several examples come to mind:
1) Motzah cracker and Kosher wine instead of white loaf of bread and Welch's grape juice for the Lord's Supper.
2) a woman covering her head during service with a summer straw hat instead of a silk veil.
3) baptism conducted in a swimming pool instead of local river or lake

Do we seek to follow the exact method employed in biblical times or do we accept adequate and reasonable adaptations?

 

I consider much of the opposition to spanking to be nothing more than old-fashioned fear-mongering designed to scare parents into a desired action.

 

I saw your new pic and had been wondering if you had a new addition! Congratulations, she is beautiful! :thumbs: Ah, if only mine could be that little again; she turned two on Jan. 3rd, and she is such a handful now. :smilewinkgrin:

 

Hello Isaiah.

Glad to hear things are progressing to the glory of the Lord and happiness of your family.

Since this has turned into a maternity thread :laugh: We just found out we are expecting another child in 9 or so months. This will make our 5th child :godisgood:

I am pretty sure it will be our last unless the Lord intervene. 3 girls and 1 boy so far and hoping it to be a boy so he can have another male to play with. However, either is fine us really. And yes, my wife is happy about it too.

 

Thanks Allan.
And wow, that's great news for your family.

 

I will send a free copy of my book Parenting A Soul to the first 25 people willing to write a review of the book in this forum and pay the postage. The postage cost is about $3.50. The book is 45 chapters and 370 pages.

PM me with your name and address and I will send a copy of the book to you. Then post that you have requested a copy to let others know when the 25 copy limit has been reached.

http://www.disciplemakerministries.org/Pages/Parenting a Soul.htm