TO ABOLISH OR FULFILL - RESPONSE

Discussion of Oosterhuis's article acknowledges several beneficial poi nts. The historical framework demonstrates the connection between the child's role in society and disciplinary practices. The distinction be tween paidion and pais is touched upon as an important developmental d elineation. Christ's perception of the personhood of children is elabo rated. Critique emphasizes the New Testament elaboration of Old Testam ent themes rather than the radical change, the incomplete interpretati on of research on childrearing, and the need to replace rather than ab olish the rod.