Thursdays are for Theology...
I hope you readers enjoyed the short series on "Complements and Catalysts." Those were some off the cuff theology, and today I am going to bring you something different, and something also not entirely new. During my senior year at Simpson University I wrote a research paper on "A Theology of Discpline." Unfortunately upon reading through the paper I decided I pitied my professor for having to read such a poorly written paper. However, I do still believe the topic and content were very worthwhile, so I now provide you with the newly revised series on "A Theology of Discipline." This will be broken up into smaller portions, so today will be something of an introduction and overview of what the rest of the series will be covering. Enjoy!
A Theology of Discipline
“Vengeance as reaction to covenant violation is not retribution for retribution’s sake, but is discipline to restoration…” H.G.L. Peels
Introduction
Of the many theologically binding themes to be found in the Old Testament the covenantal relationship between God and Israel as Father and Child stands in firm resolve. As a child grows, the means of disciplining the child evolve. This is no different in the case of God acting as the Father of Israel. Israel’s progression as child maturing begins with their birth as God’s chosen people with Abraham, ending with their return as a prodigal young adult from Babylonian exile. This article seeks to detail out the various forms and degrees of discipline that are evident in the Old Testament following a chronological time line of Israel’s development, the process following that of an infant, a toddler, a youth, a teen, and finally as an adult.
It is necessary at this point in time to first point out that I am not seeking to equate discipline with punishment. These are two similar yet distinctly different actions. The Encarta dictionary definition for punishment is: “a penalty that is imposed on somebody for wrongdoing” whereas a definition of discipline is: “to teach somebody to obey rules or to behave in an ordered or controlled way” This is to say that if one is to see that God punishes Israel it is simply a part of the overall action of discipline. Where in His effort to help them as His children they must first learn to follow their Father’s rules which will lead to a more harmonious living as par his creation intent. In other words, punishment is the action taken while discipline is the foundation of purpose that it is acted out from.
Built atop this is the fact that God is the father and creator of humanity and the specific representative God of Israel whom He loves. It is a great to put in that Claus Westermann speaks to the Hebrew word mhr, which means “mother’s womb” as word that defines in a sense God’s love for Israel in a familiar sort. So as a father His love for his children will cause Him to take rather severe actions in order that His children may learn to grow and become righteous before Him.