To Spank or Not to Spank? Part 1

Discipline strategy is a hot topic among parents of young children. Amazingly, after searching Scripture, praying, conversing, and seeking wise counsel, many of us have come up with completely differing views on the subject. My friend, Heather, brought the subject up on her blog, and I'm going to take a few posts to explain my views on the issue. I think this would be an incredibly long post were I to flesh it all out in one setting, so this is just the first installment of many.

My opinion on the matter has been shaped by my experiences as a child, by my experiences as a parent, by wise counsel, and more importantly, by Scripture and prayer. Therefore, I want to first offer some Scriptures relating to discipline without any commentary. Later, I'll share how these Scriptures have shaped my ideas relating to discipline.

Hebrews 12:1-13
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Revelation 3:19
[To the church in Laodicea,] [t]hose whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

1 Corinthians 11: 27-32
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Job 5:17-18
Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.

Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Exodus 19:12
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.