Hebrews 12:5-8: Why this passage is not a pro-spanking passage

Many parents think that the Bible gives them the right to punish their children. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents cite the Bible as a command to punish their children. The key passage that holds the pro-spanking argument together is Hebrews 12:5-8. However, this passage is not even about earthly parenting.

God's Word states in Hebrews 12:5-8 KJV:

And ye have forgotten the exhortation that speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastening, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.

This passage, when understood in context, is comforting to me. The Greek root word translated "scourgeth" is μαστιγόω (Latin: mastigoó), with this word having a figurative meaning to it. This sort of metaphor was known as rod language, with such a metaphor existing in several ancient languages, including Ancient Greek. In the Early Church, you didn't say "I had a long day at work", but instead said "God whipped me hard today". Ultimately, the modern saying that applies here is "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"

God whips His children, like only He can, sending trials and tribulations the way of the believer. However, God only whips His children when it doesn't harm them. However, earthly parents are flawed parents, and only whip to them when it harms them. This passage does not refer to earthly parenting. However, there do exist parenting passages in the Bible, with these passages prohibiting any sort of punishment whatsoever. See Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to their children just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40, 25:31-46.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen in biblical times as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christians in the parish at Ephesus who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers here to melding the countenance of children. In this very context, melding the countenance of children meant only one thing - lavishly praising and encouraging children when they were caught in the act of good behavior. Ultimately, children learned good behavior through the Christian example of parents. However, this example was backed up by lavish praise and encouragement, instead of harsh punishments and reprimands. All of this praise and encouragement helped to center the countenance of children. Most parents want self-control in a child, and so they looked for self-controlled behavior on the part of children, and then praised and encouraged children for more of the same. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to self-directed religious instruction. This religious instruction started out with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged by statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format. This religious instruction ultimately led to the centering of a child's countenance. Your child may choose different religion than you would, but at least they have values.

Mothers nurture up close, and fathers nurture from afar. For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever mom went, so did her child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers, either in her loving arms, or else in a papoose bag on mom's back when her hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children ranged next to mothers, following her from room to room, not allowing mom out of their line of sight, morbidly fearing that mom would "go away and never come back". Whenever children cried, mothers cooed at their children before picking them up, and from there, she diagnosed the need and then met it. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. Instead of being a likeness of God as a parent, parents are to serve children just as they would God. Children are extensions of God, extended to your doorstep for love and charity. All of the abovementioned methods are ways to win over children just as an adult believer would win over God.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and burning sulfur, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Child punishment: Why to catch your child in the act of good behavior (as opposed to catching them behaving poorly)

Many parents want their children to have discipline. This is a common wish for parents to have regarding their children. However, parents usually go the wrong way about it. The  right way to discipline a child isn't punitive parenting, but rather involves praise and encouragement. 

Catching children in the act of good behavior was part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission. See Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to children just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See Matt. 22:35-40, 25:31-46.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παρορίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen in biblical times as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christians in the parish at Ephesus who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishment into the church. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers here to melding the countenance of children. In this context, this could only mean one thing - lavishly praising and encouraging children when they were caught in the act of showing good behavior. Children learned good behavior ultimately from the Christian example of parents. However, parents then backed up their example with lavish praise and encouragement, not harsh punishments or reprimands. This all worked to center the countenance of a child. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to self-directed biblical instruction. This religious instruction started out with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, children's religious instruction came in question and answer format. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, and fathers were quick to give pointers on the context. This religious instruction served to further the centering of the countenance of children. 

Mothers nurture from up close, and fathers nurture from afar. When children were under age 6, they were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever mom went, so did her child. Fathers kept their distance during the first 6 years because of a sexual attachment between father and child,  especially between father and daughter. Fathers were a secondary attachment to children then, with mothers being the primary attachment figure between parent and child. Fathers imprinted on their children through righteous masturbation, meaning they imprinted on their children through masturbating to sexual fantasies of their children. After the attraction was spent away through masturbation, fathers disciplined their children by way of praise and encouragement, forming a close bond along the way.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Why to catch children being good (as opposed to catching them being bad)

Many parents think that children need discipline. This is a common belief amongst parents that children need discipline. However, most parents equate discipline and punishment. This is a common view of children coming from parents. However, the fact of the matter is that children need praise and encouragement, not punishment and controlling treatment.

Catching children being good is a part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission. See Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with the, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to children just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40, 25:31-46.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any form of punishment in his secular writings. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of children in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) means melding the countenance of children. In the Hebraic context of the Bible, this could only mean one thing - lavish praise and encouragement when children were caught in the act of good behavior. This good behavior was ultimately learned from their parents' example. The Christian example of parents was ultimately backed up by the lavish praise and encouragement of parents, instead of the punishment and shaming of parents. This lavish praise and encouragement helped to center the countenance of children. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to self-directed religious instruction. This religious instruction first started with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, children talked about religion with parents in question and answer format. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, with fathers being quick to point out the context. 

What motivates children to hear out the instruction of their fathers? Why not start out with a secure attachment with mothers? Children growing up in the Early Church had a secure attachment with mothers. For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness with mothers, meaning that wherever mom went, so did her child. Come nightfall, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format, with this happening every night, until the onset of puberty, which is when most children wanted their own place to sleep. Children went naked wherever they went, with mothers also being naked in the family home. This birth nudity setup helped facilitate skin-on-skin contact, with children getting rays of skin-on-skin from mothers throughout the day.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Righteous pampering: Why children deserve to be pampered and babied

Many parents believe that pampering and babying children is the wrong thing to do as a parent. This is a common attitude towards children by parents. However, when using the biblical context as a guidepost, the Bible is all for pampering and babying children. God wants your child to be pampered and babied, as opposed to being punished and reprimanded.

Righteous pampering is part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission, with the burden of proof falling squarely on the parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to children just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40, 25:31-46.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards a child. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

Righteous pampering does not mean pampering and babying children just any old way. It instead refers to a certain specific way of pampering and babying children. For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever the mother went, so did her child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers, either in her loving arms, or on mom's back in a papoose bag when her hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children ranged next to mothers, following her from room to room, not allowing mom out of their line of sight, morbidly fearing that mothers would "go away and never come back". Whenever children cried, mothers cooed at their children before picking them up, and then, from there, she diagnosed the need and then met it. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. When children under age 6 were out and about with mothers, mom wrapped up her child next to her bosom in swaddling blankets, with the swaddling blankets - and the child with them - being tucked underneath the loose-fitting, revealing dress worn by mothers that resembled an apron. Come nightfall, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format, with this co-sleeping sustaining warmth happening every night, until the onset of puberty, which was when children in most cases wanted their own place to sleep. Children went naked wherever they went, with mothers also going naked in the family home. This birth nudity setup helped facilitate skin-on-skin warmth whenever they were even picked up.

When children turned age 6, they were allowed to play freely outside, naked. Children ventured farther and farther from home, exploring the terrain, and playing high risk games such as "marriage". However, children had to check in with mom, telling her where exactly where they were going. Come evening, children were called, one by one, to a nice, warm homecooked meal. From there, children co-slept next to mothers, with children recharging for another day's play.

Children growing up in the Early Church were kept inside for the first 6 years. This level of protection was deemed necessary due to there being venomous snakes and scorpions. However, even today, there exist dangers outside the confines of the household, namely busy streets and child abduction. Christian parents in the Early Church protected their children, but did so in a sheltering way, even homeschooling their children in a play-based way. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Expanding child abuse definitions: Why the Bible calls for expanding child abuse definitions

Many parents oppose the idea of expanding child abuse definitions any more than they are defined now. However, the Bible has its own definition of child abuse, with that definition being broader and more expansive. In short, anything perceived as offensive or damaging by a child is considered child abuse under God's Law. 

The Greek root word denoting parental entitlement is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and is defined as, officially speaking, wanting things from children, to the point of imposition. Unofficially speaking, parental entitlement is an adult temper tantrum when the adult in question doesn't get what they feel that they deserve from children. In fact, any anger towards a child coming from an adult was considered entitlement of the parent variety. When this temper tantrum was perceived as offensive or damaging to a child, it was deemed child abuse. See also Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishment, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The first modern country to ban all punitive parenting towards children was Sweden, dating back to 1979. However, several ancient cultures also prohibited all forms of punishment of a child. The Early Christians were one of those ancient cultures. In fact, in Ancient Jewish culture as a whole, spanking and punishing a child was deemed a capital offense.

Even in modern Israel, a court ruling officially banned all forms of punitive parenting. However, even when Israel was founded in 1948, there was no legal defense for punishing a child. Certain family courts that were sectarian in orientation overlooked punitive parenting. However, the court ruling allowed for the secular courts to hear child abuse issues, and enabled the police to both arrest parents and collect the children.

In recent years, Israel's Knesset has passed a law against domestic violence in all spheres of life, including domestic violence or abuse against children. Any violence or abuse within the context of the family home was deemed domestic violence, or else domestic abuse.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Christian attachment parenting: Why God endorses attachment parenting

Many parents think that the Bible is a pro-spanking document. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents instead punish and reprimand their children. However, the Bible, in\and of itself, is an attachment parenting document.

The Bible is America's book. The Bible is a founding document of this country, even more than the Constitution in and of itself. Most parents think that this founding context allows for punishments or other controlling demeanor towards children. However, nowhere in the Bible does it legitimately say to strike or punish a child. The 7 rod verses in Proverbs refer to the 40 minus 1 lashes, and only as a sentence for a crime, and only in a courtroom setting.

Attachment parenting was seen then in the form of mutual submission. See Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of children. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parents and children in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to children just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40; 25:31-46.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christians who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing, after punishing their children one last time. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to melding the countenance of children. In the Hebraic context, this could only mean one thing - lavishly praising and encouraging children when they were caught in the act of good behavior. Children learned good behavior through the good Christian example of parents. However, the good example of parents was backed up by praise and encouragement, instead of punishment or force. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to self-directed religious instruction. This religious instruction started with fathers putting out a Bible for children to discover and explore. Whenever children were caught in the act of reading the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format. Whenever parents saw religion in their children, they received praise of the same. This praise and encouragement of religious behavior helped center the countenance of the child as they got older.

What motivates children to hear out the instruction of their fathers? How about start out with a secure attachment with mothers? For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever mothers went, so did her children. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were held constantly by mothers, either in her loving arms, or else on her back in a papoose bag when her hands were full. Children between ages 2-6 ranged next to mothers, following mothers from room to room, not allowing her out of their line of sight, morbidly fearing that mom will "go away and never come back". After age 6, children played outside freely, naked. Most of the time, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format, with this co-sleeping sustaining warmth happening every night, until the onset of puberty, which is when children wanted their own place to sleep.

In the Early Church, mothers nurtured up close, and fathers nurtured from afar. This distance from fathers was due to a sexual attachment with his children, meaning men imprint on children by way of masturbating to sexual thoughts of said child. It is okay to look the look, and even think the think later. But, there is a big difference between thinking the think and doing the deed. The Greek root word denoting lust in the Bible is έπιθυμέω (Latin: epithumeo). This word does not refer to ordinary sexual desire, but instead to sexual entitlement. Sexual entitlement was defined as, officially speaking, sexual want, to the point of sexually motivated approach. If you find yourself doing the deed with a child, either by flirting or proposition a child, or else touching them anywhere on their body, maybe you shouldn't have approached a child. If the child is right there, you still should not attack the child with flirtation or other forms of sexual assault. The only way out of the approach is to masturbate with intent to discharge. Then, the rest is history...

For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers. But, when children got older, they were given lavish praise for things such as self-control and reading the Bible. Children, until then, were nurtured up close to mothers. When children picked up the Bible, and were caught reading it, they were lavishly praised and encouraged for discovering the Bible.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and burning sulfur, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Passing down the faith: How to instruct children in the Lord

Many parents want their children to grow up in some religion. This is a common wish for Christian parents in this country. However, the most common way to instruct a child in the Lord is to "break their will". However, children have an human need for religion, and so they should be instructed in the Lord by parents gently, meaning without punishment or shaming.

The religious instruction of children is part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission. See Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to a secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parents and children in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to children just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40, 25:31-46.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen in biblical times as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents in the parish at Ephesus who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to melding the countenance of children. In the Hebraic context of the Bible, this could only mean one thing - lavishly praising and encouraging children when caught in the act of good behavior. That good behavior ultimately came from the Christian example of parents. However, parents backed up their example not with punishment, but instead with lavish praise and encouragement. The idea is to find a child centering their countenance on their own, and then give them praise whenever they show self-control. Children need a religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to self-directed religious instruction. This religious instruction started with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format, based off of what children saw in the text. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, with fathers giving pointers on the context. 

Children naturally are spiritually curious, and so there is no need to be heavy on the instruction. Children will grow towards the religious denomination of their choice. It may not be your choice as to religion, but at least they have values. Punishment only alienates children from being spiritually curious on their own, and discourages children from learning at their own pace.

How do you motivate your child to hear out the instruction of fathers? Why not start with a secure attachment with mothers? For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever the mother went, so did her child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers, either in her loving arms, or else on mom's back in a papoose bag when her hands were full. Breastfeeding in most cases lasted until age 2, but sometimes, the breastfeeding of children lasted until age 6 (or maybe even later).  When children turned age 6, they were allowed outside to play, venturing farther and farther from home, but while first notifying mom of where they are going. Come nightfall, children were called by name - one by one - and were treated to a warm, homecooked meal from mom. Children then co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format, with this skin-on-skin co-sleeping warmth happening every night, until the onset of puberty, which is when children in most cases wanted their own place to sleep. From there, children recharged in the loving warmth of mothers for another day's play.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!