Why adult authority does not exist in the Bible

Many adults believe in the concept of adult authority. This is a popular belief among adults in the United States. The fact of the matter, however, is that this belief system is in error - adult authority is nowhere mentioned in the Bible legitimately. It is a false notion that adults have the right to order children as to what to do. Instead, the opposite is true - children have the right to issue lawful and binding orders on parents.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting relationship is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself last as a parent, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, expecting absolutely nothing in return from parents or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

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

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: agapao) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This form of respect for parents does not come from fearful compliance, but instead comes from restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe in confiding into parents anything and everything that is on their mind, including admissions of wrongdoing and non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in biblical times, with customary law mandating its use in homes in order to earn and win over a secure parent-child bond from their children.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, namely child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child. This commandment, in its original linguistic and legal context, was understood as prohibiting all punitive parenting of children, including punishment and controlling demeanor towards children. The Apostle Paul, here, was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping - but especially kidnapping - and rebuked a few Greek Christians for bringing their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Some Greek Christian parents were misusing the book of Proverbs in order to justify their pagan punishment habits. Paul was instead insisting that parents love children as their neighbor, and not provoke them to anger. The rod verses in Proverbs - all seven of them - are repealed verses, meaning they only can be properly applied in the context in which they are given. These passages, in context, refer to the 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction, issued to an errant ADULT son who violated the Law on the level of a capital offense, as a final warning that the lawbreaking son would be executed on the spot if he re-offended.

Children called the shots in biblical times, not adults. Children in biblical times were heavily deified, meaning parents strongly believed that children were extensions of God in the family home, and their every word and cry was Divine Law for the parent to interpret and heed to. Parents obeyed the every vulnerable need of their children just as they would God, fearing and revering their vulnerability just as they would God. Children issued lawful and binding orders that was petitions for their needs, and parents heeded and complied, not being able to issue a lawful and binding order to any child that was their dependent. Parents were servants to their children, meaning they were caregivers, not lawgivers or lawmakers.

The concept of adults being caregivers instead of lawgivers is not exclusive to family homes. Schools act in place of parents, meaning parent in loco parentis. Teaching and instruction of children should be developmentally appropriate, meaning children are not ready for school until about age 8, and sometimes - in the case of a child with autism or other developmental disorders - even later. Children should feel safe and relaxed in school, with 5 minutes of work, and then 5 minutes of break. The slow pace of a special education classroom is actually what all younger students need. Teachers should also know their rights in regards to physical affection with students such as holding them or snuggling with them - it is allowed in Pennsylvania, and other states, to briefly hold or embrace a child who needs reassurance. Perhaps the child is crying. What else is there to do? Do you punish the child? A lot of teachers would punish a crying child for being "disruptive". I recommend instead snuggling with and embracing the child, in order to reassure upsets. Mean teachers are not favored in the eyes of God.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast 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 forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!