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!

"Honor parents": Why this does not give license to demanding respect from children

Many parents know what the Fifth Commandment says, but do they know what it means? The Fifth Commandment is often used as an excuse for children to demand respect and honor from their children. The fact of the matter is that the Fifth Commandment only applies to clear elder abuse, not simply "back talk". It is good to honor parents, but honor and respect is earned, apart from the basics of respect.

It says in Exodus 20:12 KJV:

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 

This commandment, when understood in context, refers to elder abuse, not simply "back talk". Elder abuse was not at all common - it was an isolated issue facing only certain parents of adult children. "Do not curse your parents" means do not issue a gaslighting curse onto them, and "do not strike parents" means do not repeatedly beat parents. What was happening was that these parent victims were blamed for their own abuse, with the attitude being one of "where did they learn to be so violent?". The Fifth Commandment, today, commands basic respect for parents, such as not striking them and not gaslighting them if you are an independent adult. Apart from that, it is okay to oppose or talk back to parents. "Dishonoring parents" as a moral crime today is defined by local and state definitions of elder abuse under the secular law (Rom. 13:1-4), meaning usually involving an injury imposed on the elder in some way.

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 as a parent last, 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 children 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. 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 grace of parents. This form of respect for parents does not come from fearful compliance, but from restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe confiding into parents anything and everything that is on their minds, including admissions of wrongdoing or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm, and was mandated under customary law, which this Greek root word lifts up to all.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and literally translates to "vexing" one's children, in the present-tense, and ultimately 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 context, was intended to prohibit all forms of punitive parenting, including any punishment or controlling demeaner towards children whatsoever. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping - but especially kidnapping - in order to rebuke Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church, with a few Greek Christian parents - not all of them by far - misusing the book of Proverbs to justify their punishment habit. Paul, here, was explaining the commandment to "love your neighbor and not provoke them to anger", likening a child to a neighbor or friend. The rod verses, by Paul's very own testimony, are repealed verses, meaning they are not relevant to today, and only are relevant to the context in which they were given. The verses - all seven of them- refer to a specific form of judicial corporal punishment under Jewish law, namely the 40 minus 1 lashes issued by a father who was appointed by the court to warn his son of impending doom in terms of execution. The Early Church shunned the death penalty under both Jewish and Roman law, and thus participating in any execution or whipping under either legal system was considered grounds for excommunication, and was considered a form of murder or kidnapping in and of itself. Corporal punishment was only legal for mutual accountability between spouses, and even then, such circumstances were rare. Spanking a wife was legal with her surrender and consent. Spanking or otherwise punishing a child was completely illegal, regardless of consent, because children were not bound by the Law - they were simply learning the Law.

The Fifth Commandment, for minor and dependent children, simply requires that children be in the role of secure and loving rest, with this setup being ensured by the parents, not the child. Under the customary law uplifted in the Bible, children are not to have a worry in the world, and are to rest in the bosom of their parents, being nourished and sustained until adulthood. This helps gain respect from children come early adulthood.

Children were strongly deified in both Ancient Israel and the Early Church, meaning children were seen as an extension of God in the family home, with their every vulnerable need being a sign of God to heed and obey. Dependent children have the right to make lawful and binding orders, whereas parents of dependent children do not have the right to make a lawful and binding order towards their children. This was the level of rest minor and dependent children experienced in Christian homes in the 1st Century - children were hailed like royalty, and worshipped like gods and goddesses, being pampered and not having a worry in the world. Every child that died went to Heaven, and the church then believed this.

Still, it is good to show basic respect for a parent. This doesn't mean don't fight, but instead fight fair with your parents. Don't strike your parents, or lash out in violence towards them, except if you cannot communicate your point any better (ex. gaslighting situation). You do not have to forgive your parents if they offended you and discouraged you, but once they are gone, leave them be and move on with your life.

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!

Pro-social permissiveness: Why children should have no rules (just bonding time)

Many parents think all permissiveness is the same, and all of it is bad. Permissiveness is where there are no rules in a family home setting for children. Many people think children need a strict set of rules to follow. The fact of the matter is that children do not need rules to follow. They need to make up their own rules, on their own time, and just be pampered and treated with respect by parents.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting relationship is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, 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 children 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. 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 grace of parents. This form of respect from parents does not come from fearful compliance, but instead restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe in confiding into parents anything and everything that is on their minds, 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, as such parenting was mandated under customary law as a means of raising children. That customary law is lifted up in this verse.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, especially child abuse, literally translating to "vex" in the present-tense of the word. 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, coming from entitlement. This commandment, in its original context, was understood as prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including any punishment or controlling demeanor towards children. Most Greek Christians were compliant with the Christian customary law that mandated attachment parenting, but a few Greek Christian parents were misusing Proverbs to justify their pagan custom of spanking children that they brought onto the church. Paul was lifting up the Law for them, and explaining that they were missing the big picture, and that they were to love their children like a neighbor and not provoke them to anger. The rod verses are repealed verses, Paul was explaining further in his secular pamphlets, and that the verses did not refer to parenting, but to judicial corporal punishment under Jewish law that does not apply to Christians at all - Christ abolished those harsh punishments on the cross. The rod verses - all seven of them - refer to the 40 minus 1 lashes that warned of impending death if young men did not reform themselves.

Children made the rules back in biblical times, meaning children called the shots, having immense lobbying power from a submissive role. Children were strongly deified as extensions of God in the family home (see Matt. 25:31-46), and children had the power to issue lawful and binding orders. The every cry of a child was taken as a lawful order to give a child what they needed, which was usually loving attention. Children's cries were treated as that of an infant, with parents, but especially mothers, seeking to diagnose and treat the upsets that bothered their children and led them to a crying state. Parents were not allowed to give lawful and binding orders to minor children, as minor children could not stand trial for criminal acts or civil wrongs that they committed.

Children went naked wherever they went, and women were also traditionally naked in the family home, in order to serve her husband and her children, separately. Mothers served their children by having children ranging beside them wherever they went in the home, or else with children clinging to them, by day. By night, mothers slept next to their children, co-sleeping with them, building a bond that would last a lifetime. Mothers, when children were crying, would pull children close to their bosom and reassure them that they were there to listen. Children were treated as the center of the world. 

Children learned self-control for themselves. Parents provided a disciplined, structured example by working on their own self-discipline, and then when children emulated the example of the parent, fathers especially praised their child for their discipline and for "being a chip off the old block". Children were never punished in the name of discipline, but were praised for following the example of parents, being caught being good instead of being "bad". 

Attachment parenting served as an invite for children to learn the chastening of the Lord, and how to keep it, without relying on punishment to keep the Christian traditions. Children were pampered and treated with the utmost tact, love, and respect, and then, they wanted actively to listen to parents, and listened to the best of their ability, given their age and developmental level. They didn't get it perfectly the first time, but by the time they wanted to shake parents off as young adults, they were ready to carry on the example of parents to the next generation, passing down the family tradition.

The depraved and entitled adults 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 ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Apologies for lack of activity

I apologize for not being active today in terms of posting. I went to the beach at North East, Maryland with my mother, and spent some quality time with her.

Tomorrow, we will be back to our usual programming here at Opposing Parental Entitlement.

Mutual submission: Why parents must win over their children's respect (not demand it)

Many parents think they deserve respect, and demand it from their children. It is a common belief from parents that they deserve respect. The fact of the matter is that children and parents submit to each other. Burden of proof is on the parent to prove love and respect for children. Children owe nothing to parents, and parents owe everything to children. 

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 as a parent last, 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 children 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. 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 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 confiding into parents anything and everything that is on their mind, including admissions of wrongdoing or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting, in biblical times, was the established norm, meaning it was customary law that parents have a secure parent-child bond with their child. Parents won over their children's trust and affection by treating them with the utmost tact, love, and respect.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, especially child abuse in context, translating directly to "vex" in the present-tense. 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 was understood, in the context in which it was given, to prohibit all forms of punitive parenting, including punishment and controlling demeanor towards children. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping - but mainly kidnapping - in order to rebuke Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Greek Christian parents misused the book of Proverbs even in the 1st Century, when this passage was written. Paul was explaining that the rod verses - all seven of them - are repealed verses, meaning they are written only to the context that they were given to. They do not refer to raising children, but to judicial corporal punishment of young men, meaning ADULT sons who committed a capital offense, as a warning that he would be put to death if he continued his unlawful behavior.

Parents in biblical times did not demand anything from their children. They just provided, just as they would serve God, with children being in the place of God. Parents saw themselves as extensions of Christ in the family home, serving a Godhead which is children. Children were heavily deified in Ancient Jewish culture, including Early Christian culture, and were treated with the same reverent respect that parents would show God. Children were valued as mini "gods" and "goddesses" to serve, with their every demand being a lawful and binding order coming from God Himself, thus parents took heed to their children's demands, with children getting much of what they want and all of what they need.

How were children treated in practice? Children were allowed to go naked wherever they went, with women traditionally being naked in the home, serving both their husband and their children, separately. Children ranged by their mothers, and sometimes clung to them, by day. By night, children slept next to their mothers until they shook off their parents and were ready to sleep on their own. Children were benefitted everything they needed, and a lot of what they wanted as well.

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 Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Why parents should have zero expectations in parenting

Many parents think it is good to have high expectations for children. This is a common mistake parents make, thinking children are little adults. Should we have any expectations for children at all? The fact of the matter is that we should have preferences instead of expectations.

The Greek root word denoting entitlement in the New Testament, and cross-referencing the Tenth Commandment, in the New Testament, is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and refers, officially speaking, to wanting things from children, to the point of imposition. Unofficially, this word refers to wanting anything from a child, period. Basically, when you know you will throw a temper tantrum due to a request being denied, that request comes from entitlement. Expecting anything from a child will surely lead to parents being sorely disappointed when children don't live up to the expectations that the parent imposes. Any want imposed on a child like this is entitlement.

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), which refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, 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 children 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. 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 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 or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in biblical times, with such parenting being mandated under customary law, which the Greek root word here lifts up.

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, at minimum, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child. This commandment, in its original context, was seen as prohibiting punitive parenting in all of its forms, including all forms of punishment or controlling demeanor. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping - but especially kidnapping - to Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Greek Christian parents were misusing the book of Proverbs to justify their punishment habits even in the 1st Century, when this passage was first recorded. Paul here was explaining that all seven verses in Proverbs that mention the rod are repealed verses, and do not refer to raising children. Instead, they refer to a form of judicial corporal punishment within Judaism where the father was court ordered to issue 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction upon a lawbreaking son, warning him that he would be put to death if he re-offended. Capital and corporal punishment, under Roman law, were shunned by the Early Church, with only mutual accountability between spouses allowed as a form of corporal punishment. The Early Church banned ALL punishment of children, including corporal punishment.

What is the difference between expectations and preferences? Preferences are simply a statement of values that isn't imposed on children. Once you impose a preference onto a child, it becomes an expectation. Expectations, by definition, are imposed in nature, and denote a want, hence all expectations for children are entitlement.

Children, most of the time, are punished in America for behaviors that are developmentally appropriate behaviors, meaning behaviors that are understandable in children given their age and development. Most childish behaviors that annoy you (but not the child or anyone else) are a phase in development, and won't be there forever. 

Children should be left to develop on their own, without expectations being imposed on them. Children aren't stagnant people in terms of growth. Children develop quite quickly, if you let them. Children go through all different phases, at the same time trying to keep your values, while not having the self-regulation to keep such values right away. The core of most behaviors in childhood is poor self-regulation, and self-regulation is a skill that takes time to perfect, meaning the entirety of childhood into early adulthood. So, with all this information, why impose any expectations onto a child? Why not let them be and let them grow on their own.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn in 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 Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

How to impart Judeo-Christian values (the right way)

Many parents in the United States, at some level, want to impart Judeo-Christian family values onto their children. Most parents in America want their children to learn Judeo-Christian family values. This is a common set of values in this country, as America is a Christian country, founded on Judeo-Christian family values. How does one impart these values? Punishment is the last thing you need, meaning punishment won't work. Attachment parenting does work.

The idea is not to model bad traits to your child. The Greek root word denoting entitlement in the New Testament is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and refers, officially, to want from or of children, to the point of imposition, and unofficially to wanting things from children at all. The idea is that when you want something from a child, your should do the opposite of that want, and keep doing it until it becomes a habit, telling yourself that you are not entitled to anything from a child due to your sin nature. Entitlement, or wanting things - including from children - is the core of our sin nature. Children are watching our every move, in order to learn how to behave, so it is good to work on that sin nature.

On the other hand, the Greek root word παιδεία (Latin: paideia) refers to a specific standard of Christian discipline, starting with an admission of one's depraved and entitled sin nature, and ending with the attitude that one is entitled to nothing, and grateful for everything, leading to a chastened up example for children to follow. The idea is to take up this disciplined, non-entitled attitude, and model it to children. See Eph. 6:4.

In order to set a good example, children have to want to follow said example. The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting relationship is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), which refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, 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 children 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. 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 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 about anything and everything that is on their mind, including admissions of wrongdoing or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in the Bible, and is mandated by customary law. This Greek word is what lifts up the customary law mandating that parents form a secure parent-child bond with their child.

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, at minimum, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child, coming from entitlement. This commandment, in context, was understood as prohibiting all punitive parenting techniques, including any sort of punishment or controlling demeanor. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping in particular, rebuking Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Greek Christian parents were misusing the book of Proverbs to justify their punishment habit even in the 1st Century, when this passage was written. Paul was warning parents in the Colossian church that the rod verses in Proverbs - all seven of them - are repealed verses, and do not refer to raising children, but instead a form of judicial corporal punishment where the father of an errant ADULT son was appointed to issue 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction. This punishment did not exist in the Early Church, with the Early Christians instead using pro-social non-association, with physical punishment only existing as a form of mutual accountability between spouses. Physically punishing a child was unlawful in every instance, no matter how it was done, as was any punishment of a child.

The key to teaching any skill to a child is forming a secure parent-child bond. Forming such a bond requires attachment parenting. Children in biblical times went completely naked wherever they went. Women also were traditionally naked, in the confines of the family home, in order to serve their husband and their children, separately. Mothers snuggled with children in the nude, with children soaking up the rays of skin-to-skin closeness and intimacy with their child.

When children have a strong parent-child bond with parents, borne out of closeness and intimacy, they are more likely to follow the example of parents when they are young adults. Children don't follow the example of parents right away, as children go through their phases of childish behavior, and that's just what they do. All children cry for the same reason a baby cries - they want love! So, give a crying child that loving attention, and live in the moment. In due time, at their own pace, they will develop your habits and follow your example.

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!