Corporal Punishment in the Bible http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Corporal-Punishment-the-Bible-William-J-Webb/9780830827619

A Redemptive-Movement Hermeneutic for Troubling Texts

By William J. Webb

Reviews

"Webb challenges the premises of the traditional spanking position at a hermeneutical level and exposes its failure to come to grips with what the Bible actually says on the subject. He shows how most advocates of spanking have actually softened the Bible's teaching on the subject, and he commends them for doing so. Yet he mounts a convincing case for following that trajectory and going one step further, building his position on a redemptive-movement hermeneutic that most Christians already use when arguing for an antislavery viewpoint. Webb's logic is tight and his insights penetrating. But beyond this, perhaps what is most impressive is the humble, irenic spirit he displays as he explains how he arrived at his position and addresses those who disagree with him. It will be interesting to see how the prospanking position responds to this thoughtful and profound challenge. This reviewer suspects that many will find Webb's book a breath of fresh air."--Robert Chisholm, professor of Old Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary