Am I going about this wrong?

[keepinghome]

I posted a link about the death on my facebook and my Pearl-ite friend responded with a quote from the Pearls about loving your children before training them and having a good relationship with them and how this death has nothing to do with their material. I was like well, we could swap Pearl quotes all day long so I just didn't say anything. Then she retaliated and posted a ton of quotes from this amish-type guy (very much Michael Pearls twin, beard and all) on "training" your children. She even commented on a picture of his daughters about how "blessed" they are and how she wishes she were his daughter (she is a married woman!).

Anyways, I saw a woman commented on a link my friend posted on "Training Your Children". The woman said spanking was not biblical and she was immediately attacked with rod scripture verses. So, I had to comment to back her up (I later found out it was my friend's mother. Poor grandma doesn't want her one year old grandbaby being switched in the name of Jesus anymore!). I said that spanking is not biblical and that if you look at the original hebrew language the word used is na'ar which means adolescent boy. I even offered to buy my friend the Samuel Martin book - Thy Rod And Thy Staff. Then they said... well, they said a lot of things as you can imagine. about how I am wrong about God (I said He is patient with us and doesn't give us the same physical consequence for every sin committed) and that I must have some sort of demon spirit telling me that there is a flaw in scripture, and that we shouldn't have to look to the Hebrew language to understand scripture correctly. Someone also responded saying there are other meanings for na'ar than just adolescent boy (actually they got mad at me for saying "adolescent boy" saying there isn't such a thing...). I didn't respond to that, I couldn't think up a response that would be well received by those viewing translators above original authors.

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything... it just breaks me heart to hear things like this. And I know if the Mama would have just read something GBD before TTUAC it would be so different (she is totally on board with all other AP things). Its very scary the place the Pearls have in her heart. Should I have gone about it a different way? Taken a different approach? I thought the whole na'ar thing was pretty foolproof.


From now on I'm going to purpose to give any expecting mama (even those I just know through the internet, like this mama was) a GBD book in hopes of saving her from this poison.

[WI Mama05]

((HUGS)) It is SO sad what Christian's have come to believe as parenting "truth". So sad.

[swimming with sharks]

I don't think you went about it *wrong* I think that people often have a hard time seeing that the 'way they believe' about something is SOOO VERY WRONG. Maybe you planted some seeds. Pray for her and her children.

[ArmsOfLove]

I'm sorry for you and for poor heartbroken grandma

My only suggestion is that your gut is wise. I probably would have posted in response to her on your page exactly what you were thinking. "We could swap quotes from this man all day. If he only wrote in line with what you've chosen to post I would agree with you. It's all the other stuff about how hard and how often to tempt them and hit them that leaves me believing there is no way to spin this in his favor."

And I jump in sometimes even when the odds are against me. Someone else reading always needs it. At least grandma knows she isn't alone

[joyousTXmama]

I don't think you went about it wrong, either. One person may have a hardened heart, but many others may be quietly moved in a positive direction because of your bravery in standing up for your beliefs.

[Two Little Birds]

It's tough to stand up and say something. Thank you for doing it.

[Treenahurricane]

I think you did well, especially if her mom needed some support. While she may not want to hear it from you, you may be giving the support the grandma needs to continue reaching out to her daughter with the truth that is in the scripture.

Everyone always shoots down my translation of "na'ar," and I'm no translation expert, so I've just quit bringing that one into it. But according to everyone else on another board I'm on, "na'ar" can be used for any male before adulthood, even a baby.

[Synesthesia]

Originally Posted by March

Everyone always shoots down my translation of "na'ar," and I'm no translation expert, so I've just quit bringing that one into it. But according to everyone else on another board I'm on, "na'ar" can be used for any male before adulthood, even a baby.

Um, that cannot possibly be legal... or logical ><

No such thing as an adolescent boy?

[ShiriChayim]

I'm guessing the argument is that the concept of "adolescence" is a more modern term, that in Biblical times once a male reached what we now think of as adolescence they were seen as an "adult".

[keepinghome]

Originally Posted by ShiriChayim

I'm guessing the argument is that the concept of "adolescence" is a more modern term, that in Biblical times once a male reached what we now think of as adolescence they were seen as an "adult".

Yeah... I think thats the issue they have with it. So I guess, to them, it would mean they could hit other adults.

I said- you can't possibly just refuse to assign a name to the age gap between 12ish- legal adulthood. They seemed fine with the term "young man". I just can't imagine treating a 12 year old the same as a 30 year old.

I feel for you - just got done with a long confrontation spat on facebook myself. Really, I think you did just fine, as long as you weren't the one calling others demon posessed! :P After the 30 arguing posts were over on my site I got a few behind the scenes messages and comments and even found a new friend who I never knew used gentle discipline! So you never know who is listening behind the scenes, or what seeds of doubt you may have planted.

[CelticJourney]

On this issue, it would be very hard for someone who has followed this man and believed his lies to admit it and change. The ramifications are HUGE. There is a strong cult undercurrent to Pearl that you can't underestimate. My advice: speak when, and only when, the Holy Spirit moves you to and be available with it all falls in and she needs a friend to help her learn about grace.