Toxic Theology: A Pastoral Response to Bible Passages Often Used to Justify the Abuse of Children or Prevent Them from Seeking Care

Abstract

This article addresses several passages in scripture often used to justify the abuse of children or withhold medical or mental health care. The article contends proverbs referencing the physical discipline of children do not necessarily aim to emphasize the enduring value of corporal punishment.  The article counteracts the resistance of some Christians to accessing medical and mental health care by noting that the writers of scripture increasingly embraced medicinal developments as good gifts from God and that both Jesus and Paul envisioned people in a right relationship with God not only in their heart and soul, but also their mind.