SPANKING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

During a recent episode of The View, one of their hot topic subjects was “Christian Domestic Discipline”. The panel discussed whether or not this practice was indeed discipline or domestic abuse. I for one was perplexed at what they were talking about since I had never heard of the term Christian Domestic Discipline (CDD).

After further research, I’ve since learned that there is a small sect of Christians who promote domestic discipline – in real terms; they have given their spouse permission to spank them. This concept does not go both ways; the caveat is the husband as the head of the house has permission to spank his wife if she gets out of line or breaks a rule. The couples that promote this concept insist that this is not domestic abuse, but is done for Jesus. Critics of the practice assert that the supporters sound more like they are being sexually deviant and not correcting behavior. Primarily because of Christianity’s conservative and sometimes silent voice when it comes to a husband and wife’s sexual prowess and exploration in the bedroom. One forensic psychologist goes as far as saying that this behavior is not domestic discipline but an outlet for emotionally disturbed men with intimacy deficits.

I personally have an issue with this on a few levels: 1) this behavior is not advocated or supported in the bible; 2) the discipline is not reversed, no one is disciplining the man – it is up to him to self correct; 3) some of the women view themselves as property of the men; and 4) the man comes up with the “rules” that the wife is to adhere to or be punished. This entire arrangement is reminiscent of a parent/child relationship and not a husband/wife. The group that follows this practice use the scriptures that say the man is head of the household and wives should submit to their husband to support domestic discipline by asserting that the wife should obey the husband or face the consequences of not doing so. The word actually says to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21). The scripture further states that wives should submit to their husbands as to the Lord; and that the husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). When quoting this scripture, many overlook the analogy that is given between Christ and his bride, the church and the dynamic of husband and wife. This analogy demonstrates the depth and breadth of love that a husband should have for his wife; a love so deep, wide, and pure that the wife radiates holiness because of her husband’s covering. The scripture further states that the man should love his wife as his own body (Ephesians 5:28). My question is this; would the man serve corporal punishment on himself when he does wrong? I think not! So why punish your wife in the form of a spanking or other forms of corporal punishment?

What do you think about husband’s spanking their wives in the name of Jesus?