In 2006, Kieth Plummer was given a copy of my book Biblical Parenting to consider when planning a parenting seminar using Ted Tripp and others of his ilk.  He responded with this blog post http://christianmind.blogspot.com/2006/10/spare-rod.html completely dismissing me and everything the book shared.

After spending a “number of hours” in a week studying my book he chose to respond not to the arguments presented, but to dismiss my “scholarly Bible study”.  In doing so he dismissed any challenging of traditional interpretation not with study of the Bible or of Hebrew, but based on the arguments of those who have argued in support of spanking throughout the years.

I’ve not bothered to respond in the 3 years this blog post has been out there because, frankly, I found his arguments insultingly dismissive and unengaging and I felt he added nothing new to the ongoing debate over what Scripture does, or doesn’t say on the issue of spanking.  He even presents his argument based on “no one he knows” believing X or Y–when I can cite books that teach it.  Frankly, I didn’t feel inclined to bother responding to his blog because anyone who has actually read my book or conducted their own study can frame their own defense and if someone is going to ignore my book based on such a poorly structured rebuttal that is not something my response is going to change.

But today, for some reason, as I came across the blog post again I felt inclined to respond.  I don’t happen to have a Blogger account and the blogger doesn’t accept anonymous responses (even though I would have gladly provided my name ) so I’ve brought the response here.

[quote]I’ve chosen not to respond to this blog for years.  For some reason it came across my computer again and I felt led to comment.  You might wish to read “Spare the Child” by Samuel Martin for a thorough introduction to the Hebraic understanding of the words involved.  You can also read several works that other authors have written, since your dismissive post on my work, that have confirmed many of the ideas I first presented.  How sad that you have dismissed me outright instead of digging into the Scriptures on this issue yourself. You might have been among those who have wrestled with them and have realized that the traditional teaching on these subjects is sadly missing the mark. [/quote]

why respond today? Especially when I don’t typically respond to writings such as this because it is not my job to defend myself–it is God’s.  I want to draw attention to the reality that since my book was first published there have been others who have actually wrestled not with my writing style, or how I present ideas, but with the ideas I was presenting themselves. They have wrestled with the Scriptures! and they have come to either the same conclusions I have, or very very similar ones.

I do highly recommend Samuel Martin’s work for understanding the Hebrew words that play a role in this discussion.  From Hebrew Word Pictures to actually learning Hebrew from Jewish sources I have been amazed at all of the scholarly works written without any understanding at all of what the words being discussed actually mean in Hebrew.  Most books written about spanking deal with the English.  Most never scratch the surface of the Hebrew.  And studying the parallel writings that speak of beatings are very fascinating because the Hebrew versions of them alter them dramatically in the Hebrew.  Grace is infused in them in beautiful ways.

I honestly don’t mind people disagreeing with me.  Some of the best discussions I’ve had with people have been with those who passionately disagree with me about some issue or another.  What I try to discourage is dismissing me without a thorough wrestling with Scripture when it comes to what God really says about something.  If Kieth Plummer really wanted to respond to my work he wouldn’t have questioned my scholarship, he would have wrestled with God’s Word to find out what it really said.  Those who have  come to very different conclusions from Mr. Plummer.  In fact, they’ve usually agreed with me or come to very similar conclusions.

For those who want to know what God’s Word says on spanking–or any other issue–wrestle with it!  Don’t take my word on the issue–or dismiss me the way Mr. Plummer has.  Wrestle with God’s Word and be able to speak with authority on your own view.  After all, YOU are the one who has to answer to God for how you parent.  If nothing else will drive you deeper into God’s Word I would hope this would.