Who would you follow on child care- Benjamin Spock or Moses and Solomon?

Question

Moses in Deuteronomy 21:18 – 21 instructs that a stubborn and rebellious son must be stoned to death. In Leviticus 20:9-10 he prescribes capital punishment cursing one’s parents. Solomon in Proverbs instructs beating your sons with a rod on their backs.

Dr. Spock has 2 sons, both of whom are still alive. No son commited suicide.

So according to Moses you kill your grown-up son if he is rebellious?

Answer 1

"Secular evidence about a historical figure comparable to Solomon, reported independently from the religious accounts, seems scarce and so far no substantial evidence has been found. However various inscriptions have been found and excavations are continuing."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon

"Skeptical historians, generally called "Biblical minimalists", suggest that Moses never actually existed as a historical figure, and that the Exodus is mythical."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses


At least Spock actually existed; but, his advice is of dubious value.

Answer 2

At Deuteronomy, this one is described as not only stubborn and rebellious, but also a drunkard and a glutton who clearly refuses to change. This is not some 12 year old who throws a hissy fit when his parents tell him to go to bed.

A hateful vicious spirit was as bad as murder in God’s eyes. Thus, Leviticus describes the death penalty for those who manifested this towards parents. Even 1 John 3:14-15 calls those who hate their brother a manslayer.

As for discipline with the rod, mentioned in Proverbs, it does not necessarily mean spanking; it represents the means of correction, whatever form that correction may take. It certainly is not advocating child abuse. As for Dr. Spock, it is known that he reversed himself on a few of his earlier positions, admitting that he was wrong. A former proponent of permissive child training, he later admitted it was a mistake.

So I will take the scriptures which give insight and wisdom, and in which God never reverses himself inasmuch as he never has to.

Answer 3

If you could get a whole society to follow Moses' system, there would be very, very few sons even starting to rebel. None i would say. Trying it alone would be pointless though, there would be no deterrence, which is the whole point of capital punishment in any system.
As to Solomon vs. Spock, Solomon was smarter.

Answer 4

Solomon,Dr. Spock didn't have children.By the way read "Wisdom of Solomon" and "Sirach" .They give a better view of child rearing.

Answer 5

None. I'll just follow my mum.