Paul (who was quoted in the Salon article about Christians beginning to speak out against the Pearls’ extreme and wrong-headed disciplinary recommendations in the wake of the tragic death of Lydia Schatz) throws down a challenge to men and fathers to speak up.
In the Pearls’ system, men’s voices carry more weight. So families who may now be quietly rethinking their choices with regard to this material may benefit from hearing other men saying, “the Pearls’ recommendations are extreme.”
Rob Shearer, publisher of homeschooling materials, father of 11 and director of The Francis Schaeffer Study Center has spoken up right here.
Wade Burleson, Baptist pastor in Oklahoma, has spoken out right here.
Matt, a pastor/blogger who knows the family (?) or who knows families who know the family: Is Michael Pearl Responsible for a Girl’s Death?
Aaron, a blogger who knows the family: “Pearl Still Claims Innocence for Himself and His Followers”
Aaron also has several other posts on the issue and was one of the earliest to speak out: Corporal Punishment and Two Kingdoms (talks about the case, his personal connection to the family, and makes some theological observations from his Reformed theology perspective.) “The Devil Who Made Them Do It” (his post when the Pearl connection was uncovered.) “Local DA Provides More Details to the Big City Reporters” and a couple others.
Randy Greenwald, pastor of Hope Presbyterian in Bradenton FL, hits one out of the park with: Hermeneutics, Life and Death
Dr. Giles Fraser, canon chancellor at St. Paul’s Cathedral, England: Suffer Little Children (a commentary published by The Guardian in 2006)
Glenn Chatfield: To Train Up a Child, Follow Up
Benediction Blogs On: Michael and Debi Pearls teaching linked to another child abuse death
Mark Hegener, Home Education Magazine: Bring Back the Boycott
Phillip Winn, Boar’s Head Tavern Group Blog: Abuse vs. Discipline
Rey Reynoso, Theologica: To Train Up a Child: An Examination
I’ve sent an aggregation of links and information to Wade Burleson, who is a blogger with a strong voice to members of the Southern Baptist Convention. I’m not sure if he will respond, and add his voice or not, but it’s worth a try. The homeschool movement isn’t the only group that needs to hear and stand against this kind of parenting.
Even my old, independent Fundamental Baptist church had a class on using Ezzo’s methods. I recently threw out my study guide in disgust, wondering how I could ever have thought that way was best.
And Wade Burleson has blogged about this, too: http://kerussocharis.blogspot.com/2010/02/when-child-training-leads-to-abuse-and.html
Good thought, Linda. I’ll add Wade Burleson’s link to this post.
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Pastor Randy reminded me of Metachoi with that post. . . and Metachoi’s short course on hermeneutics really made a HUGE impact on me and helped clear away the cobwebs clouding my thinking with regard to the Ezzos. . .
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