godrulz said:
I do not know all the facts. It is possible Enyart crossed the line and the discipline was borderline abusive. If he is totally innocent, then he has not violated the Word and God does not go against it. If he was quilty of unbiblical and illegal discipline, then he is convicted in God's court and human courts (Rom. 13). The State is not always right. They think any spanking is abusive, which is contrary to the Word. If it was done in anger or left marks or was against a teenager, etc., then it is not defensible. This is somewhat subjective. We do not want to side with pop psychology that minimizes any discipline. We also do not want to hide behind the Bible and justify excessive force. There are Christians that are guilty of abuse. Not that Dobson is the end all and be all, but I suspect his expertise would question this case if it is true it was over a shower and left significant marks.
One should be careful to not assume a high profile leader can do no wrong or should not be held accountable if they cross the line. As a leader, it would be wiser to be more temperate and not open the door to false accusations or give credence to others who may not have self-control and use him as a justification for excessive force. The point can be made with one spank, not 3. Did he use his hand or an object. Objects are perceived as weapons and excessive abuse.
I appreciate that you have not rushed to judgment, and I agree with much of your post. But it appears that even you have been somewhat influenced by pop psychology and the liberals' holy war against spanking. I hope that you will reconsider some of your assertions in light of scripture:
If it ...left marks ...then it is not defensible.
Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the inner depths of the heart. Proverbs 20:30
If it ...was against a teenager... then it is not defensible.
Why not? Does a child suddenly become exempt from corporal punishment when he reaches thirteen? Now, if a child has been properly trained and disciplined since birth, spanking a teenager should seldom be necessary. But if a spanking is deserved, so be it. (Not that the boy in this case was a teenager, but I still think it's worth discussing.)
The point can be made with one spank, not 3.
That depends. What if a child does not submit after one blow? How long must a parent wait to administer another? Note that "stripes" is plural in Proverbs 20:30.
Did he use his hand or an object. Objects are perceived as weapons and excessive abuse.
I'd just as soon not have my children associate my hands with pain.
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child;
but the rod of correction will drive it far from him. – Proverbs 22:15
He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. – Proverbs 13:24
Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell. – Proverbs 23:13-14
The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. – Proverbs 29:15
A couple more comments:
As a leader, it would be wiser to be more temperate and not open the door to false accusations...
One should not avoid doing good for fear of being accused of evil by people who can't discern the difference. Bob's motto is "Do right and risk the consequences," and as far as I've seen he lives by it.
In regards to this case, I've heard Bob say that he would rather obey God and risk the wrath of the government than to withhold correction and risk the boy's destruction. But he also takes responsibility for having caused this incredibly difficult situation for his family. For if he had not destroyed his first marriage, this never would have occurred. But we (and those around us) must live with the consequences of our sins even when we are repentant.
...or give credence to others who may not have self-control and use him as a justification for excessive force.
It sounds like your saying people should hold back from spanking properly to avoid inspiring others to spank excessively. One could (and many do) use that reasoning to abstain from spanking all together. How about setting spanking rightly, according to God's word, and setting a
proper example for others?