Christian arguments against the Pearls' teachings.
Dulce de Leche questions the common idea that spanking is not harmful when done without anger in Spanking In Anger — What Does It Matter?
For an example of how damaging spanking is, here is a heartbreaking (and potentially triggering) post from Enigma about Childhood Memories of being spanked.
Dulce de Leche shares a letter someone wrote to her pastor about her experiences with spanking and why she does not believe it should be preached from the pulpit. She shares her testimony of what it was like to be spanked and how it effected her. She also looks at the blurred distinction between spanking and abuse. This letter may be triggering so it is not for the faint of heart.
On a similar note is this post on The Journey about The Sexual Effects of Spanking.
“I Was Just Thinking…” blog looks at Na’ar in Proverbs…what kind of child are parents to strike?
Here are more of her thoughts about spanking.
Dulce de Leche has finally posted part 2 of her book review of Samuel Martin’s book, Thy Rod and Thy Staff, They Comfort Me where she discusses the content of the book chapter by chapter.
Pearl in Oyster has a post examining what the Bible says about how to respond to false teachers in A Stand For Truth.
If false teachers are to be treated kindly and patiently and instructed gently, how much more should I be kind, patient and gentle with my child? If it’s God’s job to change the hearts of false teachers, then it stands to reason that it is God’s job to change my child’s heart.
In honor of National Spank Out Day, Dulce de Leche asks what kind of Fruit does spanking produce in our lives. Her answer is Rotten Fruit.
Also, check out Jen from A Path Less Taken’s post about Not Crying Over Spilled Milk.
Rachel Stone discusses whether babies are Little Sinners and how that teaching relates to spanking.
GreeneGem explains the damage which was done to her by her mothers trampling on her Boundaries.
Speaking of damage, did you know that when babies are left to cry it out, their little bodies are being flooded with Cortisol? Discipleship Parenting looks at what effect that has on them.
Meanwhile Pearl, from An Apprenticeship in the Art of Gentle Discipline, looks at the Spiritual Discipline of Parenting to Sleep.
Ordained Minister( and Parenting and Relationship expert) Thomas Haller has written an article with Chick Moorman called, Biblical Perspectives on Spanking in which they take a closer look at the typical verses which are considered to command parents to spank.
Samuel Martin’s book, Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me, also studies those verses, as well as Jewish attitudes towards children in Biblical times. Brenda King of Positively Feminine has a book review of his book and is also offering a chance to win a free copy of it.
In other news, I have updated yesterday’s post with part III of the series.
Thatmom has re-posted Anne Sokol’s book review of Ted Tripp’s book, Shepherding A Child’s Heart. I’m so glad she did because I missed it the first time.
Rachel had an in depth look at what John Piper says about Spanking but she has since closed her blog to the public. Please check out my John Piper tag.
Also, check out what Barefoot Betsy says here.
Discipleship Parenting has started a series of Biblical evidence against spanking in, Rightly Dividing the Word: A Study of “Spanking” Scriptures.
She has also posted 2 addendums to her Letters to Dobson:
Addendum to “Grace”
Handling Disputes Biblically
As we probe the underbelly of the damage done by the Patriarchy Movement and even Corporeal Punishment in general, eventually we will uncover even more horrors. I have avoided “going there” for quite some time, preferring to skirt the issue, as it seemed unnecessary to bring up in polite society. However, this blog post from Under Much Grace, explains the necessity of broaching the topic and is written with a technical tone rather than a sensational one.
GreeneGem has written a 4 part piece her about father’s written attack on her decision not to spank, her written defense and the conversation which ensued.
The website, Suffer The Little Children, belongs to Joan Vasquez, the writer of the Rod Study. She has many interesting articles as well as an interview of the author of Biblical Parenting, Crystal Lutton. This website is an invaluable resource and I recommend that you read it thoroughly.
Gentle Christian Mothers reviews Shepherding A Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp.
This is the first in a series of posts highlighting the different procedures given by various Christian authors on the proper way to spank. I’m hoping to show that there isn’t a biblical way to spank, but that the views on so-called biblical spanking procedures are man-made and based on cultural assumptions and opinion
She warns her readers not to read on if a description of a spanking would upset them. Sensitive readers, take heed! The spanking described sounds a lot like a Roy Lessin spanking. 
(Another link which sensitive readers will want to avoid.)
Also from Gentle Christian Mothers is Mary’s review of Shepherding A Child’s Heart.
Carissa Robinson reflects at how spanking is hitting no matter how it is done and then looks at what we can learn about God in the story of The Prodigal Son.
Dulce de Leche has posted part 1 of a book review of Samuel Martin’s book, Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me: Christians and the Smacking Controversy.
Here is a small quote from her review:
Honestly, I can’t imagine any serious student of the Bible reading this and still believing that spanking is Biblically endorsed. I am considering and praying about what I should do at this point, because I am leaning towards buying several copies and offering them to anyone who genuinely believes that the Bible teaches spanking.
Dulce de Leche has written a very powerful analogy about spanking in A Good Old-Fashioned Stoning.
She also takes a look at parenting through the ages in Tinted Lenses.
Discipleship Parenting wrote a Letter to Dr. James Dobson. It is a lovely letter, you should take a look at it. In it she gives a testimony of how his teaching on spanking hurt her family and how they found something better.
She got a reply from Focus on The Family defending their stance.
She then wrote another letter where she explained further how his teachings are damaging and dangerous.
She received another reply from Focus on the Family which reiterated what was said in the first letter.
I highly recommend that you read these letters.
Edited to add that she has posted 2 addendums to her first letter to Dobson:
Addendum to “Grace”
Handling Disputes Biblically
Rach at The Incorrigible Gingers discusses the question, “Is Punishment Biblical?“ Notice that she is not just referring to corporal punishment here but all punishment. Now, that is a really radical thought.
Molly explains why spanking is wrong according to the Bible.
Molly remembers the messages she got as a child that parents must hurt their children because they love them. What kind of damage does that do to a child?
And speaking of damage. What kind of damage is done to a child who is given a Roy Lessin spanking for every infraction? Especially when not being happy enough (even after a spanking) is a punishable offense. Read Beth Fenimore’s testimony (on Peaceful Parenting) in her open letter to Roy Lessin but first brace yourself as it really is a heart wrenching story.
Barefoot Betsy looks at “what the rest of the Bibles says about spanking in the light of what the Bible – in particular, the New Testament – says about how we, as Christians, are to behave” in Spanking and Proverbs- Part 3: Believer’s Behavior.
Lucy tells her story at Dare To Disciple. She shares how her views of spanking have changed during her lifetime and why she feels that spanking and Christianity are incompatible.
Molly shares a gripping account of how being spanked as a child has affected her in Processing Spanking at Living As Who I Am.
Many parents reserve spankings for life or death situations. Is there really any value in that? Will spanking really protect children from danger? GreeneGem answers that question in The Danger Dilemma.
Barefoot Betsy continues her look at Proverbs with, Spanking and Proverbs Part 2: Interpretations. This is long but very well worth reading as she has done a very good job of helping us understand what the proverbs about the rod are really saying.
Christie Minich explains what glue sticks are really for and why. (For more about using gluesticks for spanking, please see Gangbangers and Gluesticks.)
She also has some very good advice about raising a strong willed child using Gentle Discipline (although she does not use that term.)
She also has a post where she studies the rod verses of Proverbs called, Thy Rod And Thy Staff, They Comfort Me.
BarefootBetsy is starting a series about what the Bible teaches about Spanking with Spanking and Proverbs – Part 1: Context
She explains the purpose for her series, saying:
Indeed, this very post is being written right now because of one of the comments I received! I encourage you to read the second comment and my response if you have not already. Debbie disagreed with my statement, “Nowhere in the Bible is anyone commanded to spank their children.” and I think it is very important to clarify why I believe my statement to be true regardless of how someone interprets the Proverbs “rod” verses. Whether you agree or disagree with me at the end, I hope this post helps you understand where at least one Christian who doesn’t spank (me!) is coming from.
Also, don’t miss part 2 which will be featured in its own post soon.
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