Today, I read a little bit on the topic of "grace based parenting".  There is a book written about this topic that, granted, I've not read that seems to be outlining how to properly do this latest, fadish parenting. This is not the first time I've heard or read about it, and yet my spirit is still so troubled by this false doctrine.  What's more troubling to me is the response of our church in general, and more specifically, our Baptist churches.  In fact, to make it more easily "swallowed" it's sometimes called, New Testament Parenting.  Now doesn't that just sound so "holy" and God sanctioned?

The truth is, this parenting could not be further from the truth.  It's amazing to me that something so easily refuted is taking shape in our churches and homes, without hardly a thought on the ramifications.    How can I say that when I haven't even read the book?  It's really not that hard.  Grace-based parenting is centered around treating our little ones with all grace, and very little discipline or training.  And absolutley, NO SPANKING.  After all, in the New Testament, Jesus himself said, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone," right?  He was saying to extend grace to people for their wrongdoings, right?.  And spanking is so "Old Testament" and "old Law"....right? 

It's late and I'm tired.  So tonight I will not go into a full Bible study of child training. I will just finish tonight with a couple of thoughts. 

The New Testament is under grace, but the Old Testament is under law correct?  Was all of the OT part of the Law?  No.  There were pre-law teachings to be studied, and much of the OT was not "law" at all.  It was wisdom, poetry or prophecy.  Most of the OT teachings on discline were from books of wisdom.  If God thought it was "wise" why would anyone else think they were smarter than God? 

The NT teaches parents to spank also.  No matter how the Greek is twisted to mean something else, it doesn't.  Study the Greek for yourself.  Furthermore, Jesus himself said he did not come to destroy the law. 

And last but not least, God is NOT just the God of grace.  He's also the God who gets angry.  He's jealous.  He's love.  To claim any one of these without acknowledging the rest distorts the image of God.  It is very important to remember He still disciplines us.  He does not condemn us if we know Jesus as our Saviour, but He does discipline us.  Sometimes His discipline is much more harsh than a spanking too!  The bottom line is, God is still smarter than us and if He recommends spanking, then it must be a pretty good child training tool. 

Maybe I'll post a Bible study later, if for no one else's benefit than my own.

Blessings,
Michelle