Redefining child abuse: Why our Judeo-Christian values call for expanding child abuse definitions

Many parents think that the Bible does not have any answers on the issue of child abuse and children's rights. This is a common belief amongst American parents. Most American parents do not understand the spiritual dangers of punishing and being controlling with children. However, the fact of the matter is that the Bible has a definition of child abuse that overrules all worldly allowances for child abuse in the English common 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. In short, any forceful demand imposed on a child is parental entitlement, including any controlling demeanor towards children. All anger at a child on the part of an adult is unrighteous anger, and thus is entitlement, and thus is sin. When children take offense to imposed demands on them, it becomes 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 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 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 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 first country in modern history to pass a ban on punitive parenting was Sweden, which passed a ban on all punitive parenting in 1979, and repealed their "reasonable chastisement" defense in the 1966. Some ancient cultures came up with the idea earlier, including the Ancient Jewish culture. In the Early Church, parents who punished their children were excommunicated from the church if they defended their punishment habit.

Israel, contrary to popular legend, is a children's rights country, with Israel banning all punitive parenting since 2000. But, even before then, there was never a legal defense for striking or punishing a child. The problem was that the Christian and Muslim courts would not remove the child victim from custody due to their own religious bias, with family courts being sectarian in nature. It took a court ruling to allow for the police to step in and collect the child victim when nobody else would.

The definition of child abuse in Israel is based off of the criminal statutes under Israeli law. In all cases, punishing children is treated as domestic violence, or else domestic abuse. Israel has a statute against domestic battery, and it is applied whenever a child is physically or verbally reprimanded or punished. This is due to the Judeo-Christian parenting morals that prohibit any punishment or reprimand of a child. 

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!

The word "no": Why children need to hear the word "no" rarely (meaning almost never)

Many parents think that children need to hear the word "no" often. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents say "no" to children as an everyday event. However, the Bible, as understood in context, prohibits the use of the word "no" except under certain specific tenses of the word "no". Children need to hear your "yes" far more often than your "no".

Frequent use of the word "yes" is a part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission. 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 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 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 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" referring to 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 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.

Parents in biblical times heeled to the command of their children. Children issued orders and edicts from their place of rest in relation to parents. In almost all cases, customary law mandated that parents instead say "yes" to their child's commands. The only way a parent could say "no" to a child was if they were petitioning something unsafe, unworkable, and/or immoral. When parents then said "no", it was backed up by an explanation and reassurance. Even then, most Christian parents then sought to compromise with their children. Children issued commands, and parents heeled to those commands.

Children growing up in the Early Church got most everything that they wanted, and absolutely everything that they needed. Whenever a child wanted something when out and about at market, they could get the sweets they wanted off of the shelf, or even a pet lamb that was up for auction. In the case of the pet lamb, the mothers never slaughtered the lamb. The only thing children wanted that was banned was expensive, showy jewelry, as modesty then meant not making a fashion statement.

Children under age 6 were wrapped up next to the bosom of mothers in swaddling blankets, with the swaddling blankets - and the child with them - tucked underneath the loose-fitting, revealing dress worn by mothers that resembled an apron. Even then, young children in biblical times pointed to what they wanted, and then mothers got what the child wanted off of the shelf. Older children - past age 6 - carried their own money. All children had to do was ask fathers for money, and they usually got enough money to get what they wanted. They didn't even have to work to get the money.

It is okay to say "yes" to stuff. Whenever you say "yes" to the every command of a child, it helps gel a bond and form a secure attachment with children. When children can count on you like a gravy train, they trust you more, and feel safe around you more. They will see you as the bringer of good things, which helps form a secure attachment with children.

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!

Adult attraction to children: Individual responsibility for adults attracted to children

Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse involving rape or sexual assault. 1 out of 10 children will suffer rape or sexual assault before their 18th birthdays. Most people are quick to blame pedophiles for the sexual abuse of children. However, all adults need to atone for being at risk for raping or sexually assaulting children under the right/wrong conditions. Enough of passing the blame onto one small group of people - all adults are capable of sexually abusing children under the right/wrong conditions.

Every single adult is capable of abusing a child in the worst of ways under the right/wrong conditions. That risk includes risk of sexually abusing a child. Every single adult is capable of child sexual abuse, with most adults harboring a risk that is quite high. Most all child sexual abuse is simply another way that adults oppress children.

What is the solution to child sexual abuse? The idea is for all adults to acknowledge their sexual side towards children, in just the right way. The two acronyms applying to most adults is righteous masturbation and righteous avoidance. The idea is for adults to rechannel their attractions to children to masturbation. From there, parents can char and tar the act of approaching a child with sexually motivated intent by knowing that they will burn in Hell just for doing the deed with a child.

The Greek root word denoting lust in the Bible is έπιθυμέω (Latin: epithumeo) does not refer to ordinary sexual desire, but instead refers to sexual entitlement. Sexual entitlement is defined as, officially speaking, sexual want, to the point of sexually motivated approach. It is okay to look the look, and think the think later. But, there is a big difference between thinking the think and doing the deed. If you find yourself flirting or propositioning a child, or else touching them on any part of their body with sexual intent, you should not approached the child. Even if the child is right there, it is a moral crime against children and the God that protects them to wave the "hey baby" wave. The only way out of the approach is to masturbate to sexual thoughts of children, at least until all of those thoughts are spent away.

I myself am deserving of absolutely nothing just for being the pedophilic adult that I am. I am a depraved and decadent sinner who has a long sin list in relation to children. My entitlement problem in relation to children - which we all have as adults - is sexual entitlement. As a pedophilic adult, I am guilty of acts of sexual harassment against children, which is a form of sexual assault. I was an antisocial "flirt" towards children, meaning I followed children around a public swimming area and waved at them.

Most pedophiles are the last people to sexually abuse a child. Most pedophiles have no choice but to acknowledge their sexual side towards children, because - unlike most adults - their adult attraction exists on the surface. Most pedophiles have not raped or sexually assaulted children at all. 1 in 4 pedophiles have sexually abused a child, with pedophiles making up only about 1-2% of the male population. Most pedophiles have a form of autism where their passion is children's rights, with their sexual desires reflecting that passion. I myself am a pedophile, and I can simply choose not to sexually abuse a child, and I do make that choice daily, with me masturbating righteously to sexual thoughts of children. I also know that approaching a young girl and/or flirting with her will land me in Hell for all eternity. Pedophilia is not synonymous with child sexual abuse. If you see someone with autism getting along with children naturally, think pedophile, as most individuals with autism find children annoying. I myself find myself doting on children in the store, and taking their side in parent-child disputes. I love all children just as if they were my own.

Most adults, meaning all, have a sexual attraction to children, meaning at least teenagers. Even adult women have a sexual side that should be acknowledged. 20% of men have a secondary sexual attraction to children, and most all of adults have a sexual attraction to teenagers. Most teenagers can easily be mistaken for adults, but that is no excuse for doing the deed with a child. The idea is to acknowledge this sexual side towards children as an adult. I myself have a sexual side towards children as a pedophilic adult, and I own up to it. I am deserving of absolutely nothing from a child, and don't deserve the grace and forgiveness that children regularly show me as an advocate for children.

The depraved and decadent, defiled adults who rape or sexually assault children will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into torrents of Hell-fire prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent!

Righteous co-sleeping: Why God wants parents to co-sleep next to their child

Many parents think that co-sleeping is the irresponsible choice to make as a parent. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents isolate their child in a crib or bed from day one. However, the Bible, as understood in context, endorses co-sleeping. Co-sleeping can help prevent child sexual abuse from happening in the first place.

Righteous co-sleeping is part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission. 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 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 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 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 tense 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.

It is common knowledge that children under age 6 refuse to sleep on their own. This is a normal behavior in children that ends up with the child being punished. Most American parents punish their children when their child refuses to go to sleep. However, the fact of the matter is that children under age 6 are too young to sleep on their own. Most all, if not all, children under age 6 have a primal fear of being devoured by predators. Most parents think that predators are no longer a threat to children. However, most children are sexually abused as a bedtime ritual, meaning the perpetrator - usually their father - sneaks into the child's bedroom and rapes them. However, children in the Early Church co-slept next to their mother, in skin-on-skin format. When their father wanted to rape or sexually assault a child, he couldn't - mom was right there to put a stop to it. Mothers in biblical times usually used themselves as a human shield for if the father wanted to attack the children, and otherwise slept in between the children and their father, with the children staying on mom's side of the bed. 

The most common reason for parents avoiding co-sleeping is due to pediatricians or other mental health professionals serving children fearmongering about "sleep dependence". Most co-sleeping in biblical times had an end. Most co-sleeping in the Early Church ended at the onset of puberty, which was when most children wanted their own place to sleep. Until then, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin warmth every single night. Sometimes, children want to co-sleep until later, perhaps due to a developmental disorder such as autism, in which case parents should know also that there is always an end to co-sleeping. I didn't stop sleeping next to my mother until I was 16, when I wanted to prove my independence by sleeping on my own.

Co-sleeping is the ultimate way to bond with your child and form a secure attachment with them, and co-sleeping in the biblical context was intended primarily to gel the bond between parent and child, especially mother and child when in skin-on-skin format. The family bed was a concept in biblical times, in nude format - all parties laying in the family bed were completely in the nude. Children formed a bond with mothers through mothers skin-on-skin co-sleeping with their children. Fathers also imprinted on their children by watching children snuggle with their mother in the nude - fathers sexually imprinted on their child through righteous masturbation. Children always slept on the mother's side of the bed, and did so for good reason - the father might still be strongly attracted to his children at ages as young as 3. 

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! 

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

Many parents want their children to have discipline. This is a common wish for a parent. However, most parents think discipline means punishing or being controlling with a child. However, there are better ways to discipline a child. The actual biblical way of disciplining your child is catching them being good.

Catching children being good 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 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 offenses, 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 children 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 here, in this context, modeling and encouraging Christian discipline in children. The Christian standard of discipline is deserving of absolutely nothing, therefore grateful for everything, coming from a sinful nature, leading to a chastened up example for children to follow. Christian parents in the Early Church centered their entitlement in view of their children, with children following in their parents' footsteps. Children in biblical times were caught being good, as opposed to being caught being bad. Whenever children were caught showing good traits by fathers, they were given lavish praise and encouragement with statements such as "keep headed down the straight path". Boys were given manly praise when caught by fathers being good, whereas girls were given a kiss to the forehead when caught by fathers being good. Children also need religious instruction. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to the instruction of the Lord. Religious instruction started out with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught by fathers reading the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged with phrases 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, and fathers were quick to give pointers as to the context. Religious development is a part of child development, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. Younger children - past age 6 - start out developing simplistic religious beliefs non-conforming to any religious denomination or sect. However, as children get older, they start to grow towards a specific religious denomination or sect. It may not be the religion you would choose, but at least they have values.

What motivates a child to hear out the instruction of their fathers? Why not start out with a secure attachment with mothers? For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness with mothers, meaning that wherever mothers went, so did their 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. 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 children before picking them up, and from there, she diagnosed the need and 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 mothers and children under age 6 were out and about, mom wrapped up the 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 skin-on-skin warmth happening every single night, until the child reached the onset of puberty, which is when children wanted their own place to sleep. Children went naked naked wherever they went, with mothers also going naked within the confines of the family home. This birth nudity setup helped facilitate easy skin-on-skin contact, with children experiencing skin-on-skin sustaining warmth every time they were even picked up.

Christian fathers in the Early Church sought to form a secondary attachment with their children, with mothers being the primary attachment figure. Fatherly attachment started with fathers forming a sexual imprint on their child through spending away parent attraction through righteous masturbation. Once the attraction was spent away, fathers sought to form a warm rapport with their children. Fathers also nurtured alongside mothers, but nurtured in a teaching way, catching children being good before giving them lavish praise and encouragement. This praise and encouragement motivated children to keep up the good work in terms of self-improvement. Children can find their own way of being disciplined, and when they find out how to be disciplined, lavishly praise and encourage them to keep up the good work. Children do not need to be hurt in order to grow up to be disciplined adults - all a father has to do is offer warm and loving praise that helps children know how to act.

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!

Righteous ordering: Why parents should heel to the command of their child

Many parents think that they should issue orders and edicts. This is a common view amongst American parents. Most American parents think that children should listen to them, and feel entitled to children listening to them. However, children in the biblical context instead issued orders and edicts, with parents heeling to their children.

Righteous ordering is part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well being 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 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 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, 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 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.

Righteous ordering means something very simple - parents are to heel to the command of their children. Most parents in the Early Church heeled to the command of their children as part of customary law, with children issuing orders and edicts from their place of rest in relation to their parents. Parents were required to heel to the command of their children in almost all cases. The only exception was if the commands of the child were unsafe, unworkable, or immoral. Even when children heard the word "no", an explanation and a reassurance was required. Most parents sought to compromise with their children, instead of giving children an all-out "no". 

Children growing up in the Early Church got most all of what they wanted, and absolutely all of what they needed. Most parents heeled to the command of their children. Even when children cried, mothers responded to the every vulnerable need of their child, heeling to the command that is the cry of their child, seeing the every cry of a child as a summonses calling parents to heel to the every need of a child.

Righteous ordering is like going to a restaurant. You can have it your way, but it has to be on the menu. If it isn't on the menu, the waitress is nice about it, even if you aren't. Parenting should be there for the righteous usage of their children, with parents waiting on their children hand and foot. Parents were not likened to God in the Early Church, but instead were likened to a bondservant earning a lump sum while working for God. Children were seen as a vulnerable appearance of God issuing commands for parents to heel to. The lump sum earned by parents was the child being as independent as possible. 

Parents in biblical times rarely set limits. Instead, Christian parents in the Early Church submitted and heeled to children setting limits. Most of the time, children were saying the word "no", and parents respected the orders of their child. Children asked for plenty, and got plenty. When children were out and about with mothers at market, they got the sweets that they asked for that was on the stand. Sometimes, the children pardoned a lamb from slaughter that the parents bought just for their children, even if they knew that they would be taking care of the lamb.

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!

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

Many parents still punish their children. This is a common behavior on the part of parents. Most American parents justify their punishment habit using the Bible. There is one passage in particular that is used falsely advocate for corporal punishment in the New Testament. This passage is Heb. 12:5-8. 

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

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which 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 sons, for which son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.

This verse, when interpreted correctly, gives me comfort. This passage was intended by the Apostle Paul as comfort for the Hebrew Christians who were being persecuted at the hands of Rome. The Greek root word translated "scourgeth" is μαστιγόω (Latin: mastigoó) and can have a figurative meaning to it, and did have a figurative meaning in this context. This passage is about enduring hardship, with the rod of correction being seen as a metaphor for God chastening up His children through trials and tribulations. The modern way to put this passage is "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger". 

God whips His children, like only He can, sending trials and tribulations the way of His children. However, God only whips His children when it isn't harmful, whereas earthly parents only whip their children when it is harmful. Due to the flaws inherent of earthly parenting, parents are not to discipline their children as God does. Instead, earthly parents are to bring up their children as comes naturally. The passage here in Heb. 12:5-8 does not talk about an earthly father disciplining his child, but only talks about how God punishes His children, like only He can. However, some passages in the Bible are directed towards earthly parents. 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 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 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 convicting 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 to here, in this context, modeling and encouraging Christian discipline in children. The Christian standard of discipline is deserving of absolutely nothing, therefore grateful for absolutely everything, coming from a sinful nature, leading to a chastened up example for children to follow. Christian parents in the Early Church centered their entitlement in view of their children, with children following in their parents' footsteps. Children in biblical times were caught being good, as opposed to being caught being bad. When children were caught by fathers showing good traits, they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "keep headed down the straight path". Boys were given manly praise when caught by fathers being good, whereas girls were given a kiss to the forehead when caught by fathers being good. Children also need religious instruction. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to the instruction of the Lord. Religious instruction started out with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught reading the Bible, they were given lavish praise and encouragement 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 being quick to give pointers on the context. Religious development is a part of child development, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. Younger children - starting around age 6 - start developing simplistic religious beliefs non-conforming to any religious denomination or sect. However, as children got older, they start growing towards a specific religious denomination or sect. It may not be the religion you would choose, but at least they have values.

What motivates children to hear out the instruction of their fathers? Why not 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 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. Between ages 2-6, children ranged next to mothers, following mom 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 were quick to coo at their children before picking them up, and from there, she diagnosed the need and 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 mothers and children under age 6 were out and about in public, mothers 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 skin-on-skin co-sleeping warmth happening every night, until the onset of puberty, which is when most children wanted their own place to sleep. Children in biblical times went naked wherever they went, with mothers also going naked within the confines of the family home. This birth nudity setup helped facilitate easy skin-on-skin contact, with children experiencing skin-on-skin friction every time that they were picked up. 

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!