House Judiciary Committee is considering a bill to protect adopted children as a response to the Hana Alemu “Williams” case. More information in this article in The Capitol Record.
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RedditWilliams Trial Postponed Until Feb 2013
August 18, 2012 Leave a Comment
According to the Skagit County Herald, the “homicide by abuse” trial for Larry and Carri Williams is now scheduled for February 4, 2013.
Discussing Tim Challies’ Reviews
August 2, 2012 Leave a Comment
Recovering Grace promotes Tim Challies’ review of Created To Be His Help Meet. Also, someone brings up his review of To Train Up A Child in the comments and discussion of the Pearls ensues which might be of interest to my readers.
Also, White Stone, of Wanna Walk Along, discusses Tim Challies’ Review of To Train Up A Child while explaining exactly why she blames the Pearls’ teachings for the deaths of 3 children.
A Look At The Spanking Controversy in Canada
June 1, 2012 1 Comment
The United Church Observer has published an article called, To Spank Or Not to Spank, by Sarah Boesveld about the spanking controversy in Canada. While I am glad that the United Church of Canada has taken a public stand against spanking, I do not link to this as Christian arguments, but of interest as a news story. Canadian Evangelical, C.L. Dyke of Scita Scienda, explains why in a comment which I will reproduce here.
The greater context to this is that the UCC is a denomination which has thrown out orthodox (I use the word generically, not denominationally) Christian doctrine in favour of unbridled humanism. They actively disavow the deity of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible–scripture is a text to be interpreted by today’s shifting social customs, and filtered for generic principles common to human decency, rather than a narrative deserving of the same respect and scholarly approach as any other ancient text.
The quote in the article about supporting the oppressed lines up to this:
–Support anti-spanking
–Support homosexual advocacy and lobbying
–Support abortion (hmm, an interesting clash of principle occurs here)
–Reject the deity of Jesus Christ and His calling upon humankind to repent of sin and accept personal, substitutionary salvation based on Christ’s atonement; eject pastors who preach it.
Meanwhile, Canadian law is already very pro-child.
In writ, it is illegal to spank under the age of 2 or over the age of 12; it is illegal to leave so much as a red mark; it is illegal to spank with an implement.
In practice, spanking of any kind has the potential to incur social services intervention.
As someone who is anti-Pearl and pro-attached/gentle parenting, but not anti-spanking across the board, I feel the scales are already sufficiently balanced against the principles of individual freedom in our country’s legal system.
While the compassion expressed for Hana Williams’ horrific death is only appropriate, the UCC’s word is pretty tainted to me as a Canadian evangelical. I’m not sure how we are to see the brokenness of humanity healed without Christ.
The UCC’s solution is moral relativism and socialism. Given the (for now) fringe push on the far left to accept pedophilia under the guise of “children’s sexual rights,” that approach doesn’t avail for me as a guarantor of children’s rights and safety in this life, all eternal considerations aside.
1st Anniversary of the Death of Hana
May 12, 2012 4 Comments
Today, marks one year since the tragic death of little Hana at the hands of those who called themselves her parents. If you visit the facebook group dedicated to her memory, you will see photos of her grave. Notice that her grave is lacking a headstone. The group is looking into the possibility of rectifying that situation. This is an open group and you are welcome to join.
I reported back on April 20 that Carri was back in jail. She went back to court yesterday, May 11, 2012 and her bail was set at $300,000 bail. Now a search of the Skagit County Jail Current Inmate List no longer shows her name, which suggests that she might have managed to come up with the bail. Either that or she could have been moved or there could be an error. I’ll keep my eyes out for more information.
K-12 News Network Speaks Out Against Harsh Discipline
March 24, 2012 Leave a Comment
The Spanking Controversy has been in the public eye quite often lately. More and more often, it focuses on the religious aspect. For example, Cynthia from K-12 News Network expresses concerns about Corporal Punishment in “Tiger Moms” Now Usurped by “Wolf Dads”. Of course, this piece mainly focuses on cultural attitudes towards spanking, but she does discuss the Schatz Tragedy and the Christian Spanking Controversy so I thought that it would be of interest to my readers.
Christian child abuse: more works-based carnality
March 17, 2012 2 Comments
Churchmouse has posted an extensively researched look at Spiritual and Physical Abuse in Christian child abuse: more works-based carnality. This is a long piece and well worth the time it will take to read it.
Pearl Debates Heimlich in The Christian Post
March 16, 2012 1 Comment
The Christian Post reports on and shows the video of the debate about Biblical Chastisement between Michael Pearl and Janet Heimlich. Be sure to read Teri’s rebuttal to Pearl in the comments below.
Speaking of debates, when Christian Today took their stand against spanking, they were criticized by Author and theologian Denny Burk.
The Pearls Defend Themselves on CBS News
February 28, 2012 5 Comments
CBS has given the Pearls a chance to defend themselves in this news story. (If you don’t want to watch the video, most of the tex of t is in the link.)
6th Anniversary of Sean Paddock’s Death
February 27, 2012 Leave a Comment
We mustn’t forget Sean Paddock. </3
Investigative Reports on Michael Pearl
February 22, 2012 5 Comments
Lauren Hensley, Investigative Reporter for CBS TV Station WVNS West Virginia, brings us Spare the Rod Part 1: Spanking in the Name of the Lord in which she interviews Mr. Pearl. In Spare the Rod Part 2: Local Pastors Challenge Biblical Backing she interviews local religious leaders about his teachings. Stay tuned for Part 3: The Effects of Corporal Punishment On A Child (tomorrow?).
Jill Monier, of FOX TV in Memphis Tennessee, brings us Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child? which is an in depth look at their book, To Train Up A Child. It includes some pretty disturbing quotes. As well as interviewing the Pearls, they interviewed Barbara King, the executive director of the Exchange Club in Memphis which offers a variety of programs to help Memphis area families breaking the cycle of abuse, and Elizabeth Stewart an adult niece who was also switched by the Pearls.
Tom Haynes, of My Fox Atlanta, brings us almost the same story in Investigators Link Book to Deaths of 3 Children.
Also, yesterday, Michael Pearl was on Dr. Drew’s show. Here is an Inside Look at that episode. Note that at the very end, Dr. Drew claims that he is still tender in the spot where Mr. Pearl spanked him.
Two Year Anniversary of the Death of Lydia Schatz
February 6, 2012 2 Comments
Today marks 2 years since the death of Lydia Schatz. Elizabeth Esther shares a video she made 2 years ago which is still very pertinent.
TulipGirl is also Remembering Lydia.
I would also like to mention that Feb 26 will mark 6 years since the death of Sean Paddock. May their deaths not be in vain.
Remnant Fellowship’s Abusive Teachings Exposed
February 3, 2012 1 Comment
Under Much Grace exposes the history of child abuse of Remnant Fellowship.
Christianity Today Article On Corporal Punishment Now Online
January 16, 2012 Leave a Comment
The Christianity Today Article I mentioned earlier has been posted to their website: Thou Shalt Not Abuse.
Christianity Today Article on Corporal Punishment
January 5, 2012 1 Comment
Christianity Today Magazine has an article about Corporal Punishment in their January 2012 Issue which you might want to purchase. When and if they post it online, I will post a link to it. This article mentions Hana Alemu “Williams”, Lydia Schatz and Sean Paddock and the influence of To Train Up A Child by Michael and Debi Pearl. It then goes on to discuss the spanking controversy and Professor William Webb’s book, Corporal Punishment In The Bible.
There is a discussion of the article on the Gentle Christian Mothers forum which contains a small quote.
Update: It has been posted here.
Pearl on NBC’s Today Show
December 28, 2011 2 Comments
Michael Pearl and The Spanking Controversy were featured on NBC’s The Today Show this morning.
If anyone is unable to see the video for whatever reason, this article is pretty much a transcript of the show.
Also see this article from NBC which contains most of the story as well as the video clip.
The Los Angeles Times also reports on this story.
Spare the Rod: The Heart of the Matter
December 16, 2011 Leave a Comment
Little Hearts Gentle Parenting Resources has a post explaining how we should interpret the 5 Rod verses in Proverbs in light of the New Testament: Spare The Rod: The Heart of the Matter.
Just A Sore Thumb was having similar thoughts when he wrote, Spared Rods.
Responses to Pearl on Anderson
December 5, 2011 4 Comments
I have yet to watch Michael Pearl and Elizabeth Esther on Anderson other than a few clips. I hope to someday find it online in its entirely at which time I will certainly link. By the way, it will be airing in the Los Angeles Area on FOX 11 at 1pm. Meanwhile, here are some responses from the Blogosphere.
Hannah of Emotional Abuse And Your Faith asks, Do we understand insensitivity?
Cindy of Under Much Grace answers the question, What is Biblical Chastisement?
as well as, Why is the Pearl Method So Insidious and Dangerous?
MamaPsalmist reacts in No More Dead Kids and its followup, And Another Thing.
An Interview with Elizabeth Esther
December 2, 2011 7 Comments
BlogHer Network Interviews Elizabeth Esther about her appearance with Michael Pearl on Anderson Cooper’s daytime Talk Show today (Monday for Los Angeles Viewers).
See a promo here.
Many bloggers are promoting this episode:
Elizabeth Esther Faces Michael Pearl On Anderson by Free By His Grace
The abusive teachings of Michael and Debi Pearl hurt both women and children by Rachel Held Evens.
Keeping Up with Michael Pearl: Interview on Anderson (Cooper’s) Talk Show TODAY (and Pearl’s appearance on Dr. Drew And AC360 and in the NYT….) by Under Much Grace. (I am grateful for her kind words about this site).
Also, Under Much Grace shares about another Anderson 360 episode from CNN which aired on October 25 which I seem to have missed. Anyway, the transcript she shares has things in it I had not seen, namely an update about the Willams.
Here is CNN’s Anderson Cooper’s Interview with Michael Pearl (Part II: August 2011)
and here is Michael Pearl’s Interview with Dr. Drew on CNN October 2011 both by Under Much Grace
Speaking of Under Much Grace, she has posted an index to her Why Good People Make Dangerous Choices (Pondering Michael Pearl and Lydia Schatz) series.
Pearl Rallies His Followers
November 22, 2011 Leave a Comment
I have heard about this letter from various sources and have decided to link to this one because she also includes her well written Amazon Review.
The Heart of the Matter
November 15, 2011 2 Comments
Rachel Miller, who blogs at A Daughter of The Reformation, discusses her concerns about the Pearls which go far being spanking or use of the rod and to The Heart Of The Matter.
Since the NY Times article about the Pearls, the story has gone all the way Down Under, as this story in The Sydney Morning Herald demonstrates.
Speaking of the NY Times article, here are the Letters To The Editor about it.
Also, QuicksilverQueen is still writing her detailed Book Review of To Train Up A Child and how it relates to the deaths. In this review she freely shares how being raised by these teachings affected her and what she was really feeling when her parents thought that she was joyously submissive. She has reviewed the first 3 chapters.
The National Post Article on The Pearls
November 12, 2011 1 Comment
Samuel Martin has sent out the following request asking us to check out and respond to this article in the National Post. He gives a different link to the same story, but my link has photos and lives links.
Dear friends,
Best wishes from Jerusalem.
I would like to ask all of my friends, especially those in Canada, to visit the link in the following article:
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/pastor+striking+advice/5700731/story.html
- read it and then write to the article author -
- if you agree that we need to give additional attention and information about the Biblical arguements against corporal punishment.
Her excellent article gives a great deal of attention to Mr. Pearl and his views. I think it appropriate that the same attention be given to alternate views based upon high levels of scholarship held by Christians like Prof. William Webb, Prof. Dawn Devries, Emeritus Prof. I. Howard Marshall, Dr. Randall Heskett and myself as well as Jewish scholars like Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe (of blessed memory)), Rabbi Moses Feinstein (of blessed memory) or others in addition to what was mentioned in the article.
If you agree with that, I would appreciate it if you’d drop the author a message.
Thanks so much.
Samuel Martin
P O Box 21543
Jerusalem 91214 Israel
Website: www.biblechild.com
Email: info@biblechild.com
The Pearls Remain In The News
November 9, 2011 6 Comments
Lisa Belkin of The Huffington Post asks, Can Adoption Lead to Child Abuse?
Elizabeth Esther explains why we should hold the Pearls accountable for their teachings in Are the Pearls to blame for child spanking deaths?
Clay Duda of the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange takes a look at the history of corporeal punishment in Spanking at Home and in the Classroom, What’s Right and Wrong?
The story has gone international as this post in the Belfast Telegraph demonstrates.
In fact, the story is so big that even Psychology Today is writing about it.
Oh, and by the way, the NY Times Article and its spawns showed us the happy congregation and their happy children. Read Dulce De Leche’s explanation of why they look so happy.
Discussing Pearl on “The View” and NY Times Story Spawns
November 8, 2011 1 Comment
ABC News has a story called Child’s Death Raises Questions About Biblical Disciplinary Teachings which includes testimony of someone who was raised under Pearls’ teachings and how it affected her under a video of the discussion of Pearls’ teachings on the View.
The NY Times story has spawned many blog posts and articles. Most of them are just brief summaries so I will not bother to link, but a number of them are worth a look.
Amy Graff of the San Francisco Chronicle posts Godly spanking turned deadly: Is a Tennessee pastor to blame?
Lorraine Dusky posts on the First Mother forum, Adopted children killed by their parents as they “train” them .
Gwen Dewar, Ph.D. of Baby Center posts Deadly abuse inspired by preacher’s “training” manual?
Koa Beck of Mommyish posts Parents Demand Abusive Childrearing Book Be Pulled From Amazon.
Allison Summers of The Christian Post posts Texas Judge ‘Beating Video,’ Child Rearing Book Spur Debate on Discipline Versus Child Abuse
and to balance it out they also published Evangelical Preacher Defends Child Training Methods Reportedly Linked to Deaths by Luiza Oleszczuk.
Margaret Hartman of Jezebel posts Pastor Still Advocates Using ‘The Rod’ After Third Child Dies
C.L. Dyck of Scita Scienda gives her Thoughts on the New York Times and Mike Pearl.
David Usborne of the New Zealand Herald posts Focus on preacher after children die.
There is an interesting discussion on the NY Times article in the Snopes.com forum. (If linking to this thread in anyway violates any forum rules, please message me at hermanalinda@whynottrainachild.com)
Tony W. Cartledge of Baptist Today News Journal posts Spare the hose?
The Week.com summarizes the debate using many of the previous links in To Train Up A Child: The book that’s leading parents to kill?
Yep, the news is really going mainstream and people are talking about it, which makes for some Intense Conversations as Leslie in Costa Rica discovered and posted about on her blog, Real Child Development.
New York Times on The Pearls
November 7, 2011 1 Comment
Erik Eckholm of The New York Times has written a well researched and carefully balanced article about the Pearls called Preaching Virtue of Spanking, Even as Deaths Fuel Debate. Unfortunately, in his effort to be balanced, he really didn’t warn against the Pearls’ teachings at all. The comments are many and one of them links to my site, for which I am grateful.
Testimony: Why Pearl’s Methods Are Dangerous
November 3, 2011 1 Comment
An anonymous writer explains how she used to follow Pearls teachings to the letter and exactly how and why they are dangerous in Corpses Don’t Rebel: A former follower of Michael Pearl’s “To Train Up A Child” reacts to the death of Hana Williams.
Deb of The Wartburg Watch posts about exposing Pearl’s teachings as well as the Judge who was recently exposed for his child abuse 7 years ago in “Judge” Not Lest Ye Be Judged.
Note: I do not have much to say about the Hillary Adams case, as abuse is beyond the scope of this blog unless it is being justified as Biblical, (in other words, unless God is dragged into it.) So far I have yet to see that in this case.
Christianity Today Looks at TTUAC
October 18, 2011 1 Comment
Rachel Stone of Christianity Today takes a close look at To Train Up A Child in When Child Discipline Becomes Abuse. I notice that she linked to my blog which I much appreciate. She obviously read TTUAC with a critical eye and really “gets it.”
Professors and Scholars Speak Out Against Pearl
October 14, 2011 3 Comments
Megan Graham of The Daily Illini (Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Illinois) looks at To Train Up A Child and its influence as well as the issue of Free Speech in Parenting book missing childlike innocence.
Prof. William Webb (Author of the new book Corporal Punishment In The Bible) explains that The Pearls’ Teaching is “Gutter Theology.”
You might also be interested in these reviews of the above mentioned book.
More Thoughts About Hana Williams
October 12, 2011 1 Comment
C.L. Dyck of Scita Scienda shares her thoughts in Hana Grace Williams and the Myth of My Happiness.
Kathy Cassel of Cassel Crew explains her concerns with To Train Up A Child in (How Not) To Train Up a Child. Note that she does believe in spanking but more as a last resort than as a first and/or only tool.
The Mule explains more about the Petition to Amazon and Why You Should Sign It. This is the same petition you see on my sidebar.
Professor Curtis Hutt of the University of Nebraska shares his view concerning the ongoing debate about violence against children on Samuel Martin’s Blog.
The Pearls’ Teachings are Not Biblical
October 7, 2011 1 Comment
Bible Scholar, Samuel Martin explains why he believes that Amazon should stop selling To Train Up A Child. Please sign the petition, the link is in my sidebar.
And here are 2 posts about why the Pearls’ teachings are not Biblical:
Laura Ziesel shares an in depth study of Proverbs 22:6 in Train up a Child in Whose Way?
Samuel Martin shares a statement from Prof. William Webb responding to Hana’s death called, The Pearl’s Beatings Are Not Really Biblical which I am posting in its entirety below at his request.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
The Newsletter of the
“New Foundation for Biblical Research.”
A project of the Century One Foundation, Inc. (www.centuryone.org)© Samuel MartinSamuel Martin – Project Director – www.biblechild.comEmail: info@biblechild.comOctober 2011
Religious scholars speaking out against the teachings of Michael and Debi PearlMany of you may have by now heard about Hana-Grace Rose Williams, who died in May at the tender age of 13. See the details of her story here and how Michael and Debi Pearl’s book “To Train Up A Child” is yet again being implicated in this horrifying case. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016361753_hana30m.htmlWhen I saw this, I postponed what I had planned to publish this month and I immediately started writing to a number of religious scholars that I know asking them to speak out on this outrageous, unacceptable and evil publication. Thankfully, my call has immediately been answered by Prof, William Webb of Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Canada. I know that I will be hearing from other religious scholars very soon and I will be sharing more testimonies and comments from them as I receive them. We need to hear these voices now.Many of you know that I have strongly endorsed Prof. Webb’s book in this newsletter (July 2011 Newsletter). Today, I am herein once again not only endorsing this book, but I am asking you to support this book to ensure that it obtains the widest possible reading, attention and exposure. Rather than telling you what Prof. Webb told me, I am herein including a written communication from him that I received just this morning. The following is a direct quote from Prof. Webb and is used with his permission.THE PEARL’S BEATINGS ARE NOT REALLY BIBLICAL“Although they will tell you it is from the Bible, the Pearl’s version of child discipline is not really biblical. Not in the truest sense. Not in the deepest sense of what should shape biblical authority. Not in a way that honors the Bible’s underlying redemptive spirit. It is utterly heart breaking to watch “Christian materials” written by Michael and Debi Pearl become part of the murder investigations in three separate cases where so-called Christian parents allegedly abused their children in life-threatening and life-ending ways. I am stunned and appalled by what I have seen on CNN, King5 News, etc.Unfortunately, Christians often get stuck in their ability to apply the Bible in today’s world. It is my hope that my recent book (Corporal Punishment in the Bible: A Redemptive-Movement Hermeneutic for Troubling Texts) will inspire hope and positive dialogue that helps the Christian community move towards something better for our children. The book outlines how Marilyn (my wife) and I changed our minds about spanking. Like the Pearls we were severely deluded in thinking that the rod was God’s way. But over time we learned how to read and understand the Bible differently. We also learned a truck-load of non-corporal methods of discipline which were far more weighty and effective than the Dobson version (2 smacks max) and certainly better than the abusive Pearl prescription (many beatings with the rod). Like the slavery texts of Scripture, the answer is not simply in moving towards a better form of slavery. That only captures part of Scripture’s redemptive spirit. The Dobson approach is to be commended because they move away from the Pearl-type literalism. But, that is not where biblical application should stop. Like the slavery issue of past days, we need to move beyond a gentler, kinder form of slavery/corporal punishment. Two smacks max is good but it does not reflect an ultimate ethical application of the Bible. As with slavery, only abolitionism (of the rod) will permit Christians to fully embrace effective non-corporal methods and do the courageous, William Wilberforce action in this hour of time. I pray that contemporary followers of Jesus might be known as those who want to live out the very highest ethical application of Scripture. What the Pearls offer is nothing other than “gutter theology”; it is not really the Bible at all . . . well, not if we want to live out Scripture’s redemptive heartbeat.” Dr. William J. Webb is Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Canada. (Quotation from Prof. Webb ends here.)Brethren, now is the time for all of us to take action to work to stop what is happening today to children at the hands of dear misguided parents/others who think they are doing God’s will.First, I am asking you to take this newsletter and the exact comments of Prof. Webb and post them to your blogs, pass them to your networks, put them on your FACEBOOK pages and disseminate his above referenced quotation as far and as wide as you can. For more links, reviews and other information about Professor Webb and his book see: http://redemptivechristianity.com & http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/review/code=2761. Please include these in your posts.Second, I am asking you to please buy his book. Get your copy here – https://shop.ivpress.com/epages/IVP.storefront/en/addtobasket/0-8308-2761-7Third, I am asking you to write positive reviews of this book in any forum that you come across including but not limited to Amazon, news sites and other book related sites and blogs.Fourth, I am also you to join me in applauding and supporting InterVarsity Press (www.ivpress.com) for publishing such courageous and careful scholarship. They need to know that we are watching and supporting Christian publishers who stand up for what is right. Please join me in doing this by writing/emailing them or leaving comments on their site.I would like to thank Prof. Webb for standing up and letting his voice be heard through this newsletter at this difficult time. His message is an important one. His work is really an inspiration for those of us who are looking for truth. I am reminded of a quotation from a giant of Biblical scholarship who was a friend of my late father and I think it is appropriate to reference it here. “…we must bear in mind that the cause of learning has often been promoted by scholars who are prepared to take a risk and expose their brain-waves to the pitiless criticisms of others” (F.F.Bruce, “Modern Studies on the Judean Scrolls,” CT, I (11):5).Prof. Webb, thank you for your courage, risk taking, intellectual honesty and standing up and speaking out for the truths of the Holy Scripture. I look forward to supporting you and your work for many years to come.Samuel Martin – www.biblechild.com – info@biblechild.comPosted by Samuel Martin at 1:31 PM
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