Overdue Post Against Barbarism
So there's been another horrible instance of a child being killed by her parents in the name of "Christian" discipline. To me, this is a clear instance of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. TulipGirl has been linking to insightful, painfully fair, painfully honest examinations of the subject, which are helpful in understanding how these things can happen. I don't hear any of my friends singing the praises of the Pearls or Gary Ezzo, which is why I wasn't especially inclined to comment. It should be obvious what we think of "teachers" whose "methods" lead to such results. Nonetheless, in case there is someone reading this blog (ha!) who disagrees:

THERE IS NO ONE-FITS-ALL PERFECT WAY TO RAISE PERFECT CHILDREN. It's a process, highly dependent on the child and on the parents. Biblical principles are important, wonderful guides, but there is no single Biblical way to parent. We should be in prayer daily [physician, heal thyself] to seek wisdom for the task of parenting and grace for our failings and those of our children. It's not a formula, it's a conversation.

For the record, we do spank in our household. It's not a daily occurrence, but it happens often enough that the boys know it's a possibility. We do not use a tool other than our hands. Corporal punishment works better for some of our children than others- creativity is required. I obviously would love for my children to obey out of love, but they also need to know that there are unpleasant consequences for rebelling against benevolent guidance. Obviously, God's guidance is more trustworthy than mine, and just as obviously, I have rebellion issues myself, but I believe my upbringing served me remarkably well, and I only hope to do as well by my own children as Mom and Dad did by me. At the end, my children will still be, lo and behold, corrupt, fallible humans, flawed; but deeply, sacrificially loved not merely by their family but by their Father in heaven, as are we all (yep, you too!).

Labels: life, parenting

- posted by Lenise @ 10:19 PM |