Red Thunder vs.

Old Yeller ~ Maranatha

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Red Thunder vs. Old Yeller

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"Billy, stop spitting on your sister. Billy, I said stop spitting! I’m warning you, Billy! I’m going to count to ten! … Calendar
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nine, ten, Billy!! William Alexander!!!” Library
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When my kids were pre-teens, they called such a parent as Billy’s “Old Yeller” because the authority consisted of Course Offerings
  April 1
ever-escalating screams and pleas for a child to obey. My sons would usually follow such an observation by Maps
More Events » saying, “Boy, if that kid lived at our house, there would be a major train wreck!” I don’t know whether I appreciated
this characterization of what I knew to be loving biblical confrontation. On the other hand, they had confidence
and security knowing that our home was a peaceful, safe, and just environment where they were free to enjoy life,
explore, experiment, and grow without fear . . . if they did so within the bounds of the family’s guidelines and
values.

My high school baseball coach had a paddle nicknamed “Red Thunder” which he used with powerful effect when
we got too rowdy on the team bus. It is my strong belief that Red Thunder is much more humane, loving, and
effective than Old Yeller in assisting with child training and biblical discipline. My confidence is firmly fixed in the
truth of God’s Word where corporal punishment is clearly endorsed and commanded. Today many Christian
parents are fearful of committing child abuse or being labeled as “child hitters” if they practice this God-approved
method of teaching and enforcement. Can Christian parents abuse their children through incorrect use of corporal
punishment? Absolutely. Should we know what is involved in biblical discipline and child training? Yes. Since
corporal punishment can be misused, should we exclude its use from our child? Never! We should practice what
God’s Word endorses in the way God intends.

As fundamental Baptists, we need to fear and obey God’s Word more than the forces now dominating our society.
I trust this article will give confidence and direction to parents, to future parents, and to those teaching parents in
searching out the Scriptures when deciding means and methods of God-ordained and God-blessed biblical
discipline.

Most people who oppose spanking incorrectly redefine it as “hitting” when the two concepts are altogether
different in application, purpose, and effect. The terms used in the article mean the following:

Hitting is striking a child on the head, face, or body with a hand, fist, or object. It is an emotional reaction
to a behavior or activity that angers, frustrates, or bothers the parent or adult. Its motive is not judicial, but
vindictive, temperamental, or thoughtless. By this definition, hitting is unbiblical, unwise, and improper.
Spanking is a controlled administration of physical pain to the buttocks. It is administered by a safe
instrument such as a paddle or rod (Dowel 3/8- to 1/2-inch in diameter). The decision for use is made
rationally and applied judicially. It is not used when the parent’s discernment is clouded by anger, grief, or
confusion. Spanking for the purpose of correcting the child is synonymous with what the Bible calls
“chastening” (Hebrews 12:6-7).

Suggestions
1. Be convinced. Spanking is a God-ordained and God-blessed tool of Christian child training (2 Samuel
7:14; Proverbs 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15). Proverbs 13:24 says, “He that spareth his rod
hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
2. Be faithful. If you are faithful in spanking when the child is young, you will seldom need to spank once
the child reaches 10-13 years of age (Proverbs 22:6).
3. Determine parameters. For which behaviors will you spank? I believe it is biblical to spank a)
primarily for disobedience and b) for obvious foolishness. Example: The first time a child gets into mom’s
makeup, he or she should be taught not to do this. The next time, spank the child for disobedience.
Foolishness is more common with older children. For example, when I was about eight years old, I was in
a an altercation with an older boy. We were outside throwing dirt clods at each other. Since I was losing, I

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Red Thunder vs. Old Yeller ~ Maranatha

picked up a large concrete chunk, threw it at the boy, and scored a bloody victory. That was foolishness. I
knew better, and a spanking was warranted.
4. Learn the “Golden Question.” When your children balk at your commands, do not scream (“Old
Yeller”), count to ten, or threaten. Simply ask them, “Are you going to obey?” The golden question forces
them to choose between two clear alternatives.
5. Be serious and safe. A spanking must be feared by children. Make sure your instrument is both safe
and effective. The instrument should be chosen with care and kept in a special place. When our children
disobeyed, we asked them to “get the rod.” With much wailing and lamentation, they would climb the road
to Golgotha and bring the rod to us to receive the chastisement. Don’t shake a child; doing so is very
dangerous and unbiblical!
6. Be consistent. Do not play the subjective game of how disobedient or how serious. No disobedience is
small. Ask them to repent and do what was requested. If they refuse, treat this like a separate event and
repeat the process. Please believe that you are not “breaking” the child’s will. This is not about who is
bigger or stronger, but it is about giving our children one of the greatest gifts a parent can give them—the
ability to submit to righteous authority and the ability to train their will to do right over emotional and sinful
desires.
7. Limit crying. Do not allow your children to carry on with their crying for a long time after the spanking.
This is a ploy to make you feel guilty for dealing with their rebellion and is another form of disobedience.
8. Recognize the results. Be convinced that your faithful discipline will yield the “peaceable fruits of
righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11), will drive “foolishness” out of him (Proverbs 22:15), will impart wisdom
(Proverbs 29:15), is a sign of love (Hebrews 12:6), and will result in the precious character quality of self-
control.
9. Become a student. Study biblical discipline and child training. Scriptures teach how to use spanking,
reproof, correction, and punishment in achieving just and loving discipline. The following works are
excellent guides for parents: Children, Fun or Frenzy, published by Beka Books, What the Bible Says
About Child Training by J. Richard Fugate, Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp, and Age of
Opportunity by Paul David Tripp.
10. Make discipline a priority. I do not recommend spanking in public, but be willing to take a child out
of church or to leave a full shopping cart at the grocery store to go home and do what is most important.
When the time comes for discipline, drop everything and be a parent!
11. Be wise. Spanking should never be given for accidents or for things the child committed in ignorance.

Parents must build credibility as loving parents with lots of hugs and affection. While you should hug and comfort
your children after a spanking (when they clearly repent), this should not be the only time you hug them. If you
love them more after a spanking, you may train them to disobey in order to receive more attention. The giving of
love and affection is a by-product of the relationship between parents and children. It is not based on conformity
or behavior. You can easily produce actors who learn to cover their feelings with “lip-service” obedience. Children
reared with biblical discipline will not be afraid of their parents but will be secure in their unconditional love and
affection. Consistent discipline involving spanking will cause them to fear disobedience and will result in a self-
disciplined, self-controlled child who can act and react in the world with confidence and security.

Red Thunder or Old Yeller—it’s your choice.

Dr. John Brock is Vice President for Academic Affairs.

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Red Thunder vs. Old Yeller ~ Maranatha

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