Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

[Jebediah Oglethorpe]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We all know from God's word that we as Christians are commanded to discipline our children, as it says in Proverbs 22:15:

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." (Prov. 22:15, KJV).

The Bible also clearly states that disobedient children who fail to mend their ways should be put to death (Deut. 21:18-21, KJV).

Imagine my Godly indignation, brothers and sisters, when I learned that two brave saints of the Kingdom of God are now facing criminal charges in Godforsaken California for following God's explicit instructions!

From http://www.paradisepost.com/news/ci_14427370 we learn that:

No Greater Joy Ministries is being examined by the Butte County District Attorney's Office in relation to the death of a 7-year-old Paradise girl and extensive injuries to her sister.

Ridge parents Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz are charged with murder and torture following the death of 7-year-old Lydia Schatz and the hospitalization of 11-year-old Zariah Schatz.


Both girls were allegedly whipped by the their adoptive parents with a quarter-inch plumbing supply line - the instrument suggested by Michael and Debi Pearl, founders of No Greater Joy Ministries and authors of the controversial religious parenting book "How to Train Up a Child."


"We do not teach 'corporal punishment' nor 'hitting' children," Michael Pearl, CEO of No Greater Joy Minstries, wrote in an emailed statement to The Post. "We teach parents how to train their children, which sometimes requires the limited and controlled application of a spanking instrument to hold the child's attention on admonition."

These Godly saints are now on $2 million bail and could face life imprisonment if convicted! Brothers and Sisters, I know we'll all be praying for God's will to be done, but this just goes to show what a nation comes to when it rejects its biblical, Godly, True Christian roots.

[James Hutchins]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

No doubt the parents forgot the part about using a phone book. An innocent mistake that once aired in court should result in an acquittal.

[Jebediah Oglethorpe]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

No doubt the parents forgot the part about using a phone book. An innocent mistake that once aired in court should result in an acquittal.

Brother, I thank you for that faithly response. I'll certainly be praying that this is the case, but we all know California is run by Hollywood Jews and prancing homos. I fear that the poor Schatz saints will be unable to get a fair trial from a Godly, Bible-believing judge and jury.

[Professor Bessemer]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

As a friend of the Pearls, I have to believe that it was the Schatz's that misunderstood Michael's instructions.

My dear friends Michael and Debi Pearl

The following article is designed to be used as a resource in defending your faith on Biblical child training. If the Federal or State agencies take me to court over advocating corporal chastisement, this will be part of my defense.

“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (Prov. 13:24).”

This is one of many verses in the Bible that instruct parents to chasten their disobedient children with a rod. Websters Dictionary defines rod as: “a straight slender stick growing on or cut from a tree or bush.”

If you read the many published accounts of studies done on “violence to children,” it is clear that there is a crusade to wipe out Biblical child training. Opponents call it “corporal punishment,” which means punishment to the body. Their first argument against Biblical discipline is to call it punishment. The Bible calls it chastisement with a rod. We call it training . . . Application of the rod is only a small but essential part of our training technique. You must first understand our position if you would fault us.

Propaganda has created the impression that our methods are the last remnants of a medieval practice that is certainly destined to go the way of slavery or restriction of women’s rights.

We are compelled to defend traditional Biblical practices.

Research supposedly confirms that children who are “beaten” become beaters. They are correct in saying that “hitting” the child may cause him to grow up to use violence as a way of resolving conflicts. Children are very good at passing on what they have experienced at the hands of their parents.

Having never experienced it, they do not understand the meaning of loving discipline applied for the child’s own good. And they cannot fathom the sweet fruit that the properly applied rod produces in the soul of the child.

During the developing years, from birth through six or seven, the rod is an indispensable aid in providing the child with a controlled learning experience that will prepare him to make proper decisions when he is older.

Many people are using a section of ¼ inch plumber’s supply line as a spanking instrument. It will fit in your purse or hang around you neck. You can buy them for under $1.00 at Home Depot or any hardware store.

How could anyone read the above selected quotes from the No Greater Joy website pages and think that beating a child to death was what Michael was advocating?

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[Jebediah Oglethorpe]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

Glory, Professor, a very faithly point. Certainly the Pearls bear no blame. However, it seems to me that the issue is what the children were being disciplined for: did the Schatz's get carried away, or were they simply following Gods' instructions to discipline their children? If the former, then surely a pastoral rebuke delivered with love is the better means for addressing this then a trial?

I'm encouraged by the Godly responses to this troubling topic.

[BelieverInGod]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

So why do the lie-brals cry foul when we have proof that video games and rock and roll music make children violent sex fiends, but are perfectly accepting when a misguided parent says that the "Pearls made them beat their child to death"?

As far as I know the Pearl children are all happy and healthy.

[sloppyjotbone]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

I dont think anyone here is thinking of the children. Seriously what crime could a child have done to deserve being beaten to death by his parents? This is just sick and twisted. You all are defending the parents, when in fact someone was KILLED. A child was KILLED and no one here seems to give a damn. I highly doubt that our LOVING God would want a child to die. The God of the Old Testament maybe, but as Christians we live in the New Testament, and there Jesus tells us to forgive. Well, I dont see beating a child to death as a sign of forgiveness, nor love, nor compassion.

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

The God of the Old Testament maybe

There is only one God and he wrote all of the Holy Bible.

[sloppyjotbone]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

There is only one God and he wrote all of the Holy Bible.

Yes, that is correct. However if you know anything of biblical knowledge you will know that He wrote both with different meanings. There was a reason that we have a New testament. That is because the Old was no longer as valid. There are things in the Old testament that did not apply to then, nor now, and so God sent Jesus, and wrote the New testament. So many things in the Old Testament do not apply to today, which is the very reason God even made a New Testament. Thats why its NEW. That would be like making laws 300 years ago, and then today putting someone in jail because they married a black person. Society changes, therefore the laws change, and that is why we have a NEW TESTAMENT.

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

Yes, that is correct. However if you know anything of biblical knowledge you will know that He wrote both with different meanings. There was a reason that we have a New testament. That is because the Old was no longer as valid. ...

This is total nonsense. But even assuming you would be right, you clearly have no idea what the new testament actually says:

Mark 9:43 "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched"

Mark 9:47 "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire".

Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

John 7:24 "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

Yes, that is correct. However if you know anything of biblical knowledge you will know that He wrote both with different meanings. There was a reason that we have a New testament. That is because the Old was no longer as valid. There are things in the Old testament that did not apply to then, nor now, and so God sent Jesus, and wrote the New testament. So many things in the Old Testament do not apply to today, which is the very reason God even made a New Testament. Thats why its NEW. That would be like making laws 300 years ago, and then today putting someone in jail because they married a black person. Society changes, therefore the laws change, and that is why we have a NEW TESTAMENT.

Please post the Scripture that says we can ignore the Old Testament.

[sloppyjotbone]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

This is total nonsense. But even assuming you would be right, you clearly have no idea what the new testament actually says:

Mark 9:43 "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched"

Mark 9:47 "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire".

Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

John 7:24 "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

You do realize those are parables, and metaphors. You see, that is how Jesus taught, he told parables to portray real world situations, that is not meant to be literal.

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

You do realize those are parables, and metaphors. You see, that is how Jesus taught, he told parables to portray real world situations, that is not meant to be literal.

Please post the Scripture that says we are not to take the Word of God literally.

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

You do realize those are parables, and metaphors. You see, that is how Jesus taught, he told parables to portray real world situations, that is not meant to be literal.

Can you please explain to me how this is a parable:

Mark 9:43 "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched"

You have a very weird way to look at the Holy Bible I must say. According to you half of it should be ignored and the other half should not be taken literally. Is the cover the only part you agree with?

[sloppyjotbone]

Re: Godly Parents Suffering Persecution for Child Discipline!

Please post the Scripture that says we can ignore the Old Testament.

I never said ignore. What I am saying is that it is not as relevant to us today. That was the whole purpose of God creating a New Testament. You see, thats why people create new things, because the old things are not working as well. Thats why we are not riding around in Model T's anymore. That is why we use a mailing system instead of the Pony Express, that is why we fly in airplanes instead of hot air balloons, and that is why God created the New Testament. I dont see why it has to be explained like your a 3 year old. When things get old and outdated, you get new things. The Old Testament is called that because it is OLD. Therefore we have the NEW Testament, because it is new and fits our needs.