Spare the rod spoil the child
A 17th century poem by Samuel Butler called “Hudibras”. In the poem, a love affair is likened to a child, and spanking is commended in the affair as a way to make the love grow stronger. The actual poem reads.
“What medicine else can cure the fits
Of lovers when they lose their wits?
Love is a boy by poets styled
Then spare the rod and spoil the child.”
Hudibras is directed against religious sectarianism. The poem was very popular in its time, and several of its phrases have passed into the dictionary. It was sufficiently popular to spawn imitators.
Influence into dictionary’s.
ROD: 1954 and 1969 Webster’s dictionary
spare the rod; to refrain from punishment
ROD: 2013 internet / online dictionary
1. A thin straight piece or bar of material, such as metal or wood, often having a particular function or use, as:
a. A fishing rod.
b. A piston rod.
c. An often expandable horizontal bar, especially of metal, used to suspend household items such as curtains or towels.
d. A leveling rod.
e. A lightning rod.
f. A divining rod.
g. A measuring stick.
2. A shoot or stem cut from or growing as part of a woody plant.
3.
a. A stick or bundle of sticks or switches used to give punishment by whipping.
b. Punishment; correction.
<arrested for using a rod on his dogs in violation of the state’s animal cruelty laws>
4. A scepter, staff, or wand symbolizing power or authority.
5. Power or dominion, especially of a tyrannical nature: “under the rod of a cruel slavery” (John Henry Newman).
6. Abbr. rd
a. A linear measure equal to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet (5.03 meters). Also called pole2.
b. The square of this measure, equal to 30.25 square yards or 272.25 square feet (25.30 square meters). See Table at measurement.
7. Bible A line of family descent; a branch of a tribe.
8. Anatomy Any of various rod-shaped cells in the retina that respond to dim light.
9. Microbiology An elongated bacterium; a bacillus.
10. Slang A pistol or revolver.
11. A portion of the undercarriage of a train, especially the drawbar under a freight car. Often used in the plural: ride the rods.
Samuel Butler’s book “Hudibras” is a satirical polemic against Roundheads, Puritans, Presbyterians and many of the other factions involved in the English Civil War. The work was begun, according to the title page, during the civil war and published in three parts in 1663, 1664 and 1678, with the first edition encompassing all three parts in 1684
England’s many Puritans and Presbyterians were almost invariably Roundhead supporters.
So what is a satirical polemic ?
Satirical is a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement. Although satire is usually meant to be funny, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit as a weapon.
A polemic is a contentious argument that is intended to establish the truth of a specific belief and the falsity of the contrary belief. Polemics are mostly seen in arguments about very controversial topics.
The art or practice of such argumentation is called polemics.
A person who often writes polemics, or who speaks polemically, is a polemicist or a polemic The word is derived from the Greek πολεμικός (polemikos), meaning “warlike, hostile”which comes from “war”.
Butler’s father was a churchwarden, a lay official in a parish church or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. Holders of these positions are ex officio members of the parish board, usually called a vestry, parish council, parochial church council, or in the case of a Cathedral Parish The Chapter.
A parish church (or parochial church), in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches.
The Anglican Communion considers itself to be part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and to be both Catholic and Reformed. For some adherents it represents a non-papal Catholicism.
Therefore since Butler’s book Hudibras was directed against religious sectarianism. It is because he was baptized as an infant in the Catholic Church and was against reformed theology protestant churches taking over.
Spare The Rod And Spoil The Child? From another source, in other words
This popular quote cannot be found in the Bible because it’s neither a Bible verse nor a Biblical principle. It’s like that other non-Biblical quote, “The Lord helps those who help themselves” in that it’s quoted by people who know little or nothing about the Bible to elevate certain kinds of behavior from mere human tradition to spiritual truth.
So where does it come from? Well it turns out that it’s from a 17th century poem by Samuel Butler called “Hudibras”. In the poem, a love affair is likened to a child, and spanking is commended as a way to make the love grow stronger. The actual quote reads,
“What medicine else can cure the fits
Of lovers when they lose their wits?
Love is a boy by poets styled
Then spare the rod and spoil the child.”
The idea was that the absence of periodic spankings in the relationship will spoil it. Further on in the poem, women are said to desire a good spanking more than an assortment of lovely ribbons. But the practice of spanking is much older the 17th Century poem. It first came on the scene as a pagan fertility rite in ancient Greece. Women who were unable to conceive went to the temple of Juno where the priests of the Greek god Pan spanked them with goat hide whips in an effort to increase their fertility. A search on the Internet will reveal that throughout history spanking has been primarily associated with erotica.
Much later, the Catholic Church used spanking as a means of cleansing women of their sins. But whether for erotic reasons or as a form of punishment, the person being spanked was always an adult and always a willing participant. The notion of spanking children who were neither adult nor willing emerged in Victorian times, no doubt as an expansion of the Catholic tradition of punishment for sin, doing penance.
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The other quote. “The Lord helps those who help themselves” is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible. This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757. In actuality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. Whatever the original source of this saying, the Bible teaches the opposite. God helps the helpless! Jesus came to save!
What does the Bible have to say about spanking, hitting or striking? Has a Pagan ritual, Catholic tradition and poem against reformed theology snuck into the church today by way of a Trojan horse?
Is “spare the rod and spoil the child” a Biblical principle? What scriptures support the saying? It is most commonly said to come from (Proverbs 13:24).
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Proverbs13:24) KJV
For the ease of reading and understanding the written living Word to make it profitable and not just say it is profitable. We will need to understand the words Rod, Chasteneth and Betimes for this to become a spiritual truth and not just a statement from a carnal, worldly human mindset. Head knowledge needs to become a spiritual reality from the heart.
Let’s look at the text closer.
(Proverbs13:24) KJV with Hebrew strong’s concordance definitions
He that spareth his rod (discipline) hateth (loves not) his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth (corrects) him betimes (diligently).
Parenting by the Book (Bible) By: John K. Rosemond
Traditional Scripture-based child-rearing vs. postmodern psychological parenting.
The Stumbling Blocks of Postmodern Psychological Parenting.
Effective Discipline is a mindset and way tailored for each individual child, not a set of methods or laws for all.
Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them — Proverbs 13:24
One of the most unfortunate misunderstandings of Scripture concerns passages that refer to the necessity of using “the rod of discipline” in the training of children. These include:
Proverbs 22:15 — “Foolishness is bound in the heart of the child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.”
Proverbs 23:13 — “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.”
Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that a child will get spoiled by lack of correction.
Many well-intentioned Christians take these passages and others like them to mean that God is specifically instructing parents to spank children when they misbehave; further, that these spankings should be administered with variations on the general theme of “the rod”: belts, hickory switches, paddles, and the like. This misinterpretation is understandable, but reflects a wrongful application of the principles of Biblical purpose, or critical interpretation and analysis.
As is especially the case with the Old Testament, any given word or phrase in Scripture might have various meanings which are revealed by the context in which word or phrase is used. In other words, setting often determines meaning. Therefore, arriving at a proper understanding of any Scriptural term requires that the seeker carefully examine how that term is used in various contexts across the whole of Scripture, with an eye for contextual similarities.
Applying this formula to the word rod one discovers two distinct usages: the rod and a rod. The difference may seem slight, but in fact the preceding article—whether the or a—determines meaning. The rod is always metaphorical, as in Lamentations 3:1—“I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.” On the other hand, a rod is always with reference to a concrete object—a straight stick that might have been used as a tool of measurement (1Sa 17:7, Rev. 21:16), a symbol of authority (Is. 14:5), or a staff used in herding sheep (Lev. 27:32).
In every case, when the word rod is used with reference to the training or discipline of children, it is preceded by the article the, connoting that the usage is metaphorical. To understand it otherwise results in irreconcilable confusion. For example, in Exodus (21:20), The Lord specifies that if a man beats his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies as a direct result, the man must be punished.
Exodus 21:20 “If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished…
Speaking in Proverbs (23:13), however, The Lord assures parents that if they punish their children with the rod, “they will not die.”
Proverbs 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Reading these two passages, one should be moved to ask, if in fact these two rods are one and the same, how can something that can kill a strong adult slave hold absolutely no potential of being fatal to a child (remember that Proverbs 23:13 is a promise from God Himself!). The only way of reconciling the seeming contradiction is to understand that Exodus refers to an object (a rod), while Proverbs refers to a quality, an attribute (the rod).
So what is this quality? What is rod-like discipline? Metaphors borrow their meaning from the concrete. So, for example, the metaphorical use of “slow train” as in “there’s a slow train coming” refers to a powerful, virtually unstoppable force with somewhat ominous significance. In other words, understanding the concrete nature of a train that is moving slowing, inexorably, down a track is prerequisite to comprehending the metaphor. Likewise, understanding the ancient uses to which rods could be put allows us to understand what is meant by “the rod of discipline.”
In one context, a rod was used to insure that measurements were consistent and true; in another, it was a symbol of authority, a scepter; and in yet another, as a herding staff, it was used to herd domesticated animals in one general area and compel them to move from one place to another. Used metaphorically, therefore, rod-like discipline (a) is consistent and true, (b) emanates from a legitimate authority, and (c) establishes boundaries and compels action and/or change. Further understanding of the metaphor can be had by noting that “the rod” is also used to refer to God’s righteousness, as in Isaiah 11:4, where The Lord is described as smiting the earth with “the rod of his mouth.” Rod-like child discipline, therefore, is righteous. It is in keeping with the nature of God’s discipline of us, his children both adult and child, and consistent with His Plan for us.
Don’t misunderstand me, please. I am not arguing against spankings per se. I happen to believe that a properly administered spanking can be an example of “the rod.” Spankings have their place, but they are not the be-all, end-all of discipline. In fact, no where in the whole of Scripture does God prescribe a specific form of discipline for children. He only emphasizes, time and time again, that discipline to be effective, discipline must embody certain characteristics and emanate from a legitimate authority figure who is acting with righteousness. Therefore, the mere fact that a parent spanks does not mean his discipline has been “rod-like.” A spanking delivered impulsively, in anger, definitely fails to meet the standard. The angry, out-of-control parent is not acting righteously. His impulsive outburst is self-righteous. It communicates his anger, but it is unlikely to do anything but cause resentment on the part of his child. That sort of spanking is an example of what Paul was referring to when, in his letter to the Ephesians, he exhorted fathers to not provoke their children. A parent prokokes his/her children whenever he behaves toward them in an provokative fashion, which certainly fits with spankings that are delivered impulsively and out of anger.
Eph. 6:4—Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
These understandings should serve to free parents from a narrow approach to discipline such as might result from a literal interpretation of “the rod of discipline,” and enable them to match their discipline to the specific nature of any given misbehavior and the context in which it occurs. Is it not inconceivable that God wants parents to spank in response to every instance of misbehavior? How could God in his infinite wisdom and mercy demand spankings for misbehaviors as disparate as a child belligerently refusing to clean his room and a child simply forgetting to clean his room? Both require discipline, but the same response to both events would reflect neither mercy nor good sense, much less wisdom. Understanding the difference between “a rod” and “the rod” also leads to the realization that discipline and punishment are not one and the same, that discipline is first and foremost leadership, not punishment-ship. Yes, punishment is part and parcel of discipline, but in the final analysis, it is but a relatively small part. In fact, parents who understand that effective leadership is conveyed primarily through authoritative speech (as in, “the rod of his mouth”)—speech that is clear, unequivocal, reflects steadfast commitment to a goal, and compels action consistent with that goal—will rarely have to punish their children. The effectiveness of their leadership will minimize the necessity. It follows that parents who punish a great deal are parents who have failed to properly assume the mantle of leadership in their relationships with their children.
Written by: John K. Rosemond
What about the New Testament being silent about using “a rod” or “the rod” of discipline?
What about (Hebrews 12:3-6)? This is for the adult believer.
3 For consider Him (Jesus) who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Aramaic Bible in plain English (2010) (Hebrews 12:6)
“For whomever THE LORD JEHOVAH loves, he instructs, and draws aside his children with whom he is pleased.”
Note: verse 5 and 6 are quoted from ( Proverbs 3:11-12) Solomon’s proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. the writer reminds the Hebrew reader of what they have known.
(Proverbs 3:11,12) My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.
Is it possible that the Proverbs of Solomon, the air to the throne of King David is instructing the Nation of Israel to get ahold on your children’s behavior so they will not have to be stoned to death? They were under the law and sacrificial system at this time. The Sheppard’s rod was used to measure the sheep. Could we understand the rod of disciple as a way to measure judge and choose what is needed for each child individually?
(Deuteronomy 21:18-21)
18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
(Exodus 21:17:20)
17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:
19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.
20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
Solomon lived, ruled and praised God for the law. He was the wisest and richest man of his time under the law. So in writing the Proverbs why would he not use “smite your children with a rod to correct them”? Or say “after you have smote them with the rod”?
Solomon was wise in his instruction.
(Proverbs 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:15) Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Notice he uses here: “The Rod” not “A Rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
The Apostle Paul does not use Rod, Smite, Smack, Spank or Hit in his instruction the new covenant churches.
(Ephesians 6:4) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
He said “bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
Each individual Christian believer needs to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in order to discern what is right for there children. When the church turns spanking into the only way of discipline it is just following an institutional church law and it becomes legalism and legalistic. If the church would follow the Biblical way of bringing up children. The Lord would not have to institute laws to protect children and bring postmodern psychological parenting plans into his church to protect and raise his children.
(Romans 13:1-5) 1 AMP, 2-5 ASV
Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.
2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration for Children and FamiliesAdministration on Children, Youth and FamiliesChildren’s Bureau
At the Federal level, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse and neglect as:
Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.
Emotional abuse or mental injury to a child. Typical used in these definitions is “injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child as evidenced by an observable or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition” and injury as evidenced by “anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or aggressive behavior.”
Nebraska law Emotional Abuse Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-710
The term ‘child abuse or neglect’ includes knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causing or permitting a minor child to be placed in a situation that endangers his or her mental health.
Let the Lord guide and direct you in the way you should treat each individual child.
Peace
Kingdom Healer 