Corporal Punishment—Still Legal for Discipline? (1)

Brian Vanengen·2014-12-19

This article examines the biblical and legal permissibility of corporal punishment in child discipline, prompted by the Adrian Peterson case. Vanengen addresses the tension between contemporary societal attitudes opposing physical punishment and biblical passages supporting disciplinary spanking, while clarifying the legal distinctions between acceptable discipline and child abuse. The resource provides a Reformed perspective on parental discipline and child-rearing within the context of biblical authority and modern legal frameworks.

Public debate over discipline of children and the use of corporal punishment erupted recently after newspapers were filled with stories covering allegations that a professional football star had abused his four-year-old-son. Adrian Peterson, a running back for the Minnesota Vikings, has stated he was disciplining the boy, and admittedly used a "switch" or small branch from a tree to spank his son. The state has charged Peterson with child abuse as a result of the incident. Some news reports...

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Corporal Punishment—Still Legal for Discipline? (1)

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