Hebrews 12:5-6: Why this Bible passage is not a pro-spanking passage

Many parents think that the Bible is pro-spanking. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most pro-spanking activists cite Heb. 12:5-6 as proof that God is in favor of spanking. However, this theology sits on shaky ground. Nowhere in the book of Hebrews is parenting advice given. Heb. 12:5-6 has to do with trials and tribulations sent the way of the believer

God's Word on trials and tribulation is spelled out in Hebrews 12:5-6 KJV:

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou 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. 

When interpreted correctly, this passage brings me comfort. The Greek root word translated "scourgeth" is μαστιγόω (Latin: mastigoó) and can have a figurative meaning to it. The rod was a metaphor in Hebrews for trials and tribulations being sent by the Lord the way of the believer. In the Early Church, instead of saying "I had a long day at work", you said "God whipped me hard today". God punishes His children, like only He can. But, God only punishes His children when it does not harm them, whereas earthly parents only punish their children when it does harm them. This passage was intended by the Apostle Paul as comfort in their persecution from Rome. 

The book of Hebrews does not contain parenting advice for earthly parents. God does not want His Parenting methods to be used by earthly parents. However, God's Law does weigh in on the spanking issue. See 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 here to offenses or damages, 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, with this entitlement including any parent anger directed towards a child. It is not enough to stop spanking or punishing children - you should avoid offense in your child. The key to avoiding offense in children is to be willing to give a meaningful apology whenever you hurt your child's feelings. In most cases, all that is necessary is a reassurance of good intent. However, if you ever lose your cool with your child, you need to give a formal apology, and then commit not ever to lose your cool ever again, as losing your cool as a parent, in and of itself, is entitlement, and was seen as entitlement then. This commandment implies that spanking and other forms of punishment are banned under God's Law, as this provokes children to anger. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, and is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", namely the power of the parent to impose punitive measures, including spanking and other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

America is a Christian nation, founded on Judeo-Christian family values. We as a nation use the Bible and its context for guidance as to how to live and treat each other with respect. It just so happens that the parenting context of the Bible has, until recent years, has been hidden, meaning not translated into English from the Hebrew. The Jews have long known how to be gentle parents, with Christians first finding out about the parenting context of the Bible much later. The commandment not to provoke your child to anger is clear once clarified in context - don't even offend your child. If you do upset your child, you should be willing to apologize.

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!