Remove Ads

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Atonement
#1
We were discussing atonement in Bible Class the other day. Actually I agree with the concept for both adults and children. When perhaps I have been a bit short or even rude to someone I go out of my way to make amends. Usually it is a relative or someone close to me. One boy I looked after brought up the subject one day. His mother was a born again Christian and they attended Church regularly. Though it did not change our relationship and as his mother had already asked me to spank him when he misbehaved, it did make me feel more justified when I did correct him. In fact he seemed quite willing to be spanked even if he had misbehaved for a minor thing though I must admit I never made his spankings that big a deal. I think he actually felt better about being able to atone and even though it did cause some minor suffering for him, it was a great way to assuage any guilt he may have been experiencing for misbehaviouring. It also I think improved our relationship.
Tutor/Mentor
Reply
#2

Hmm, Garth.
Atonement. AT-ONE-MENT.

A couple of examples:
1) to paraphrase Saint Thomas Aquinas, supporting the corporal punishment of novice monks (aged 16-24 ish) earthly punishment does not in any sense bring Godly absolution: only repentance can achieve that. But having been whipped should put us in a better position both to repent and to seek absolution for our sins.

Similarly the rule of Saint Benedict advocates the regular corporal correction of youths and young men.


2) as a boy I remember admitting something to my father, expecting the outcome to be a caning. It was. I didn't ask for it but I did (rightly) predict six of the best. As a fifteen year old, I recognised that a stinging posterior was much less burdensome than a stinging conscience.
Thirty odd years later, my younger son did the same. Just as my father had done, I interrupted the confession and warned him of the probable outcome. Just as I had done, he continued. And just as my father had done, I administered a sound correction.

CONCLUSION
I honestly don't think that either confession in (2) above would have happened if the sanction had been, say, grounding or restrictions of privileges. There is something far more atoning about a traditional correction; especially I believe for older children, teenagers, and even young adults.

If we look at the biblical quotes from Proverbs and Hebrews, they are not all directed at administering the rod of correction solely to the rears of children. The application is much wider....such as for fools: and we are ALL foolish!

I also recognise my own shortcomings as a parent. Despite access to this biblical wisdom, I eschewed it because spanking is frowned-upon in this country. Yet we recognise now (yes, my two sons as well as me) that the implementation (and occasional administration) of the paddle has massively reduced tension.

Corporal correction brings atonement? Yes!
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)