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

Many parents think that the Bible is silent on issues pertaining to child abuse. This is a common belief amongst American parents. However, most parents support various forms of child abuse by the biblical definition of abuse. The fact of the matter is that the Bible prohibits child abuse, and defines it broadly.

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 throwing an adult temper tantrum when you don't get what you feel that you deserve from children. Any adult anger, including parent anger, was seen as parental entitlement in biblical times. When children perceived the temper tantrum on the part of parents or adults as offensive or damaging, it became 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 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 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.

Sweden banned all punitive parenting in 1979, and was the first modern society to ban punitive parenting. However, some ancient societies also banned punitive parenting. The Ancient Jewish society, including the Early Church, prohibited all forms of punitive parenting, including even "handing down the slate". 

Modern Israel banned all forms of punitive parenting, including corporal punishment, in 2000. The ban consisted of a Supreme Court ruling that allowed for the secular courts to hear child abuse cases. Before that, however, there was no legal defense for punishing a child. However, the Jewish family courts took on cases involving punitive measures towards children, and collected the children from such homes. It was the Christian and Muslim communities that saw change. The rest of Israel, primarily Jewish, saw the court ruling as a reminder of the same. Israel was a children's rights country, and was so since its very founding.

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!