Child Abuse

‘pastor proved to me beyond the shadow of doubt that his method and philosophy of raising children is based on the Word of God. He showed how harsh, how frequent and how early the law has to be applied because he has to bring out the deceit and sin that is hiding within.’ (Philologus Eio, JT 31st July AD 2014)

‘When I was young, pastor applied the law on us according to all the principles he brought out today. He applied the law betimes, when we ate slowly, when we slept slowly, when we read the Scriptures softly. He applied the rod till the flesh was blue. I remember the time when pastor caned me and Israel Thomas till our backs were bleeding. But all this is for the sake of our souls.’ (Philologus Eio, JT 31st July AD 2014)

‘I thank God that through the book of Proverbs, pastor showed us how the law is to be applied, in terms of its intensity, frequency and implementation of usage.’ (Phinehas David Yeoh, JT 1st Aug AD 2014)

‘Firstly, it is not just the wounds but the blueness of the wounds, not just correction but the severity of the correction.’ (Martha Tan, JT 2nd Aug AD 2014)

‘Thank God for pastor and my mum. Many a time I have gotten the blueness of the wound. Thank God for my mum who really followed the counsel of pastor and did not spare the rod despite the opposition of my father and grandmother.’ (Leah Chua, JT 2nd Aug AD 2014)

‘Nowadays the law does not come in the form of caning (since I am already a teenager) but deprivation.’ (Leah Chua, JT 2nd Aug AD 2014)

‘Thank God that I have a sister. When I was younger, my mum caned Naomi but Naomi did not repent but hid herself in the storeroom. Then my mum locked the door; afterwards Naomi came out, then we had a time of prayer. But instead of Naomi confessing her sins, I was the one confessing my sins.’ (Leah Chua, 3rd Aug AD 2014)

‘There must be the consistent, rigid application of the law on children. [Pastor: “Ruthless application.”]’ (Charity Chia, JT 4th Aug AD 2014)

‘Thank God for the prescriptions of the Word of God from Proverbs, even the dosage, the frequency at which the rod is to be applied in order for it to be effective. I have to strengthen the arm power. The father is stronger. One stroke by him is harder than my 3 strokes. Parents must exercise the rod early and frequently while there is hope…’ (Charity Chia, JT 4th Aug AD 2014)

‘Many times, my mum caned me so hard that my buttocks were so painful. My mum would not stop caning until my spirit is broken. Also she would sit me down for many hours until my spirit was broken. Thank God for my mum’s scolding and beating and it goes hand in hand with the preaching of pastor.’ (Naomi Chua, JT 5th Aug AD 2014)

‘Pastor quoted some examples how he trains us: for example, by sending us to mission trips or sending us to Cameron Highlands to clean up the apartments or wake us up at 3am – it is to train me up for the battlefield.’ (Naomi Chua, JT 5th Aug AD 2014)

‘I really thank God that later on I could observe with my own eyes the verity of some of these Scriptural principles, particularly that the blueness of the wound drives away evil.’ (Sarah Harper, JT 6th Aug AD 2014).

‘No matter how hard the child is beaten, he will not die but rather consolidate his hope of going to heaven… many of us want to go back and start caning the child…’ (Damaris Koh, JT 9th Aug AD 2014)

‘As parents, they have the privilege to cane the child to the blueness of the wound for to save the soul. To apply the rod betimes speaks of the fact that it is never too early to discipline a child; we cannot be deceived by the cuteness of the babe.’ (Rhoda Soh, JT 11th Aug AD 2014)

‘I saw pastor’s dealings with his children, like Ruth Mary Thomas and Israel Thomas. When Ruth Mary was young, pastor caned her very hard, till her spirit was changed.’ (Rhoda Soh, 11th Aug AD 2014)

‘For the children, the cane is the school master to bring them to Christ. Not pinching, not slapping but it is literally the rod. Many questions and subterfuges in the mind of the parents are answered. They fear that the children might die (physically) from the caning. The answer of the Scriptures is not only that ‘he shall not die’ but the enjoinment to parents is to fear the death of the soul of their children. The parents may think that the children are too young to be caned. The Scriptures says, ‘Chasteneth him betimes’ (Proverbs 13:14, which means early, in their young age). God knows that the parents’ hearts would melt when their children cry. The Scriptures says, ‘Let not thy soul spare for his crying (Proverbs 19:18)… But we may say, ‘I do, I really whack them up’. It is not that the parents do not beat the child but we do not beat them enough. What we should fear is not that the children will die when we beat them up, what we should fear is that we have not beaten them enough.’ (Deborah Thomas, JT 24th July AD 2009)

‘I still remember, when Hannah Grace was 4 years old, and we would think her skin was very tender then. However, once she did something wrong and she would not say sorry. Pastor just whacked her till she broke down and apologized. Such was the stubbornness and wilfulness that the beating had to take nearly ten minutes. Yet that ten minutes application of the rod was like an eternity. I could remember this very vividly because she broke down to finally spew out the word ‘sorry’.‘ (Deborah Thomas, MU 24th July AD 2009)

The above extracts illustrate the very simple premise Elijah would have his adherents to believe: when it comes to disciplining children, more is better, and there is no upper limit. To understand how Elijah reaches such an abhorrent conclusion, the underlying philosophy (or doctrine) must be appreciated.

‘My parents would apply the law when I did something wrong. If we failed to do the house chores, they would beat us. They used the belt as a form of threatening to ensure that we would not fail nor make any mistakes. I think this helped us to build character… My parents applied the law to punish us for our mistakes but pastor applies the law betimes. I saw it in my young son (Melchizedek, age 2) how that he became better after we applied the law on him. I really appreciated how pastor expounded the book of Proverbs. It gave me the reason why I should cane my children and he shew me how to apply the law. I need to do so because of the depravity of their heart and not out of hatred. I am dealing with the spirit within [the spirit of depravity].’ (Abiel Patacsil, JT 1st Aug AD 2014)

‘Sometimes we rather use words to scold but it is the contact that is necessary. I must not be afraid because the failure to apply the law would mean damnation to me and my family. I pray for faithfulness to practise the message. I want to imbibe the spirit of pastor.’ (Abiel Patacsil, JT 1st Aug AD 2014)

‘This belief and usage of the law has its basis in the doctrine of human depravity. I thank God for the rod to extricate the vices in a child’s life.’ (Phinehas David Yeoh, JT 1st Aug AD 2014)

‘My friends give me strange looks when I said I get caning from my mum. Thank God for my blessedness else I would already be damned long ago.’ (Leah Chua, 3rd Aug AD 2014)

‘Today his preaching is from the book Proverbs, on the legitimacy of the application of the law in the upbringing of children. Thank God for the leading of the Holy Spirit as I see how integral this topic is to the Gospel which the servant of God preaches.’ (Charity Chia, JT 4th Aug AD 2014)

‘There is a lot of support for corporal discipline in American groups… however, the degree to which discipline is applied is vastly different. Following his [Denny Kenaston’s] methods, you think you have success when you see improvement in the child’s behaviour. The approach pastor described is on quite a different level. Although we would not cane a child at the moment when they are actually being good, yet the sin in their heart needs to be drawn out, exposed and dealt with.’ (Sarah Harper, JT 6th Aug AD 2014)

‘I was also convinced when pastor spoke about foolishness being bound in the heart of a child… the foolishness starts being in their heart, but when I was not vigilant, I have seen their behaviour deteriorate until it became frankly demonic… This issue of the physical disciplining of our children is part of the battle of Gog and Magog.’ (Sarah Harper, JT 6th Aug AD 2014)

‘I was encouraged to see the effects of what the rod can do to every child – to drive away the evil spirit so that the wisdom of God can be injected… Pastor says we beat the child to drive out the demonic spirits from the heart of the child.’ (Damaris Koh, JT 9th Aug AD 2014)

‘There is nothing to lose, but everything to gain in applying the rod. In fact, it is gaining heaven and losing hell. Encapsulated in these verses is the love of God. I saw the preciousness of the soul to God, so that He would also charge the parents, ‘Don’t spare, even if the child cries, give it to him till the power of depravity be broken.’ (Deborah Thomas, MU 24th July AD 2009)

‘The application of the rod is not only imperative, we are taught that it must be applied sufficiently, and that betimes (early while there is hope), and to apply to deal with and cancel the power of innate depravity present in every child. This is God’s way and the only way to save the child from hellfire.’ (Zephaniah Soh, MU 23rd July AD 2009)

‘When pastor read to us Proverbs 23:14, I was very much convicted that the caning of our children is not just for the sake of producing children with good behaviour, but it is more so to deliver their souls from hell. It serves to prepare their hearts to receive the grace of God.’ (Olive Pee, MU 20th July AD 2009)

’We have pastor to hammer us till we are flattened and able to squeeze through the strait gate of salvation. Zephaniah said pastor is probably the lone man that is unflinchingly advocating this way of scriptural upbringing. I agreed with him wholeheartedly.’ (Zipporah Lee, Correspondence, 27th July AD 2009, New York)

‘Presiding pastor is our role model. He consistently practices what he preaches. The presence of canes is a conspicuous distinctive in our midst.’ (Zephaniah Soh, MU 23rd July AD 2009)

We see illustrated Elijah’s teaching that physically beating a child is the only way to save them from hellfire; it is able to ‘cancel the power of innate depravity present in every child’, even to ‘break the power of depravity’ if the beating is hard enough; it is also able to drive out the demonic spirits from the heart of a child. It can extricate the vices from a child’s heart. A parent’s failure to beat their child ‘would mean damnation to them and their family’. One young lady stated that she would have been damned long ago if she had not been severely caned. Caning is considered to be an integral part of Elijah Chacko’s gospel, because he teaches that until a person is broken, they cannot properly repent and look to Jesus for salvation. Therefore, it is the duty of those in responsibility to break the spirits of those in their charge. Beating a child is considered the highest expression of love and quickest route to their salvation and eternal happiness. Neglecting to beat a child is conversely presented as the most certain way to ensure their damnation. Because the beating is not primarily intended as a punishment or deterrent, but rather as a means of driving out the child’s wickedness, there is no sense of proportion. Elijah assures them in his teaching that the harder the beating the more certain it is to achieve its desired effect.

I recall in early 2016, that I was staying with a family in England (Hananiah Chew and Hadassah Chew). Both parents had recently returned from a Westminster Tradition conference in Malaysia. The question had arisen during that conference as to how severely children should be caned. The answer had provoked dismay and confusion among us all: “There is no upper limit.” I do not believe any of us seriously tried to implement it. We were far from Elijah Chacko’s watchful eye and common sense led us to intuitively reject such a teaching.

‘When pastor came back from India, he was angry with the condition of the children. He put the blame on some of the uncles and me. This is because he is away and the missionaries and some of their parents are away doing the work of God and it is my responsibility to take care of them and bring them up. I was shown that I have failed because I treated the young ones as friends. Phinehas David mentioned that he is sad when the adults are around, the children’s conversation stop. When I come, some conversations stop but most do not because I do not apply the law on them… I was shown how important and critical this is because it has to do with their salvation.’ (Philologus Eio, JT 31st July AD 2014)

‘You must be careful even in the house of God. Some elder sisters keep telling me not to interfere for some parents would not appreciate it. Magdalene and Phoebe have helped me a lot here. Everything we do, some parents undo it with their own carnal mindsets. I am an expert on this.’ (Elijah Chacko, JT 4th Aug AD 2014)

Although every parent is encouraged to beat their child, or ‘be imaginative’ in administering other forms of punishment, certain individuals within The Westminster Tradition are often assigned the task of disciplining other people’s children. Elijah Chacko has virtually a carte blanche to discipline any parent’s children. Some parents would prefer to delegate responsibility to him. Others such as Magdalene and Phoebe (mentioned above) have had special responsibility for raising some of the children. The children’s natural parents are often kept busy in their own employments and are forced to delegate their children’s care to others. Philologus is a young bachelor who was given partial responsibility for overseeing the community until Elijah Chacko returned. Though young and having no direct parental experience, he was nevertheless expected to ‘apply the law’ on those children delegated to his charge. To have one’s own parents apply such strict and uncompassionate discipline is already a great trial and provocation to the children. But to have others beat them, who do not have that same parental love and concern, must be many times harder to bear. The irony is that Phinehas expressed sadness because the children did not feel safe to talk in his presence. It is, of course, the inevitable consequence of such ‘ruthless’ discipline.

‘When I see the ungodliness of my girls, it is a reflection of my own ungodliness. When I come back home to them, they behave like angels, immaculately. I really have to think of ways and means to expose their sins. I feel sad when they run to their rooms and refuse to come out.’ (Phinehas David Yeoh, JT 1st Aug AD 2014)

‘But today pastor brought out from a fresh perspective that it is applicable to pastors – when and how to apply the law to stir up the hornets’ nest.’ (Naomi Chua, JT 5th Aug AD 2014)

‘I like it when pastor says he ‘loves’ to lay traps for the children to allow their hidden darkness to emerge. These are blessed snares whereby opportunities are provided for the rod to be wielded. For when you fall into them, you will be delivered from falling into the snares of the wicked and shall escape from hell.’ (Deborah Thomas, MU 24th July AD 2009)

If it’s not already clear from the above, Elijah deliberately lays traps to catch the children in the act of doing something sinful. He leads them into temptation and encourages the other adults to do likewise. Is it any wonder that the children stop talking when the adults are around? I recall one memorable occasion in which I witnessed one of the ‘uncles’ telling an overt lie to one of the children in order to double-bluff and extract the truth from them. I confronted him on that occasion and he seemed surprised that I didn’t approve. Such practice is not unusual within The Westminster Tradition. But what sort of example does this set the children? Will they not learn to do likewise?

‘Now in Australia, the government does not allow corporal punishment. We should not allow the government to dictate; but rather, the Scriptures should determine how we discipline the children… I felt the message is timely for me to apply. All that pastor exhorted direct me that I may use the rod properly and betimes on my 2 girls (Shiphrah and Ma Navu) when there is still hope.’ (Martha Tan, JT 2nd Aug AD 2014) – Martha lives in Adelaide, Australia.

‘Thank God that it is the goodness of God that the parents from Ulster, Adelaide and Canberra are here to hear this message. Those who are not able to hear, these brethren may bring these vital messages to them.’ (Damaris Koh, 10th Aug AD 2014)

‘May God help us not to be ashamed of this principle even if it means violent objection and hostility. Even in this place, in Cameron Highlands, someone who was a ‘busy-body’ tried to lash out at a parent applying the law on a child, and threatening to report us. The intimidation will come further. The attack may come in different ways… But may God help us to hold our ground.’ (Zephaniah Soh, JT 8th Aug AD 2014)

Although it may be legal in Singapore and Malaysia for parents to use the cane judiciously, in other countries such as Australia and Ulster (Northern Ireland, UK) child protection laws have considerably more scope. These comments demonstrate that members of The Westminster Tradition are very aware of this fact and are encouraged to follow Elijah Chacko’s instructions and ‘hold their ground’ come what may. On this point, I will clarify my position. Whilst the Bible very clearly endorses physical chastisement, it also teaches that every soul should be subject unto the higher powers i.e. rulers (Rom 13:1-5). It is clear that one principle must give way to the other. I believe that our obedience to the civil authorities takes precedence over the manner in which we discipline our children.

Even though it may have been spoken about church authority, the position held by Elijah is nevertheless hypocritical:

‘… pastor said that we have to inculcate in children the respect for the law. When they respect the law, they will have respect for those who apply the law and they will respect authorities that enforce the Law. Thank God for these precious principles.’ (Rhoda Soh, JT 11th Aug AD 2014)

How could children have respect for the law if in their determination to ‘apply the law’ on their children, their parents themselves become law-breakers?

‘I reflected that it is the application of the law (that pastor brought out over the last few days) that cause me in time past to look forward to meet the missionaries and presiding pastor.’ (Abiel Patacsil, JT 1st August AD 2014)

‘My mum, to a great extent, has obeyed the preaching of pastor from the Scriptures.’ (Naomi Chua, JT 5th Aug AD 2014)

‘I felt some breakthrough in this area during my first year under pastor’s ministry. It enabled me to start to apply the rod on Esther.’ (Sarah Harper, JT 6th Aug AD 2014)

‘Thank God that I have heard the voice that is crying in the wilderness [Elijah Chacko], exhorting me to apply the law in obedience to the Scriptures…’ (Sarah Harper, JT 6th Aug AD 2014)

‘From today’s sermon, we felt the gravity of the subject. We may either push a soul to the gates of heaven or be a stumbling block and bring cursing to the children and send them to hell… I must help the man of God and his ministry. But I have not applied the law as strongly and consistently as I am expected to do… Thank God for the strictness of the man of God. It is our spiritual safety. As he tells us in today’s sermon that the calling and office that God has given to him has altered his personality, from a jolly good fellow to a person characterised by holy anger.’ (Zephaniah Soh, JT 8th Aug AD 2014)

‘Our own depravity will kill us, especially when we have only outward attractiveness. Therefore parents must really trust in the wisdom of God and the Word of God (even as our presiding pastor expounds it), adhere and live out the doctrine accordingly and not to do according to what they perceive to be right.’ (Julia Low, JT 22nd July AD 2014)

‘Pastor said, ‘If you cannot take it, the exit is there.’ Those who cannot take it, they walk out and may not come back again. This special bond we have with the servant of God is because he spares not to apply the rod.’ (Rhoda Soh, JT 11th Aug AD 2014)

These comments make clear that the sermon preached on 15th June 2014 entitled ‘The Upbringing Of Children In The Fear And Admonition Of The Lord’ had been part of part of an ongoing theme stretching several days. The sermon was preached during a conference in Cameron Highlands. These conferences are characterised by long and often repetitive ‘response sessions’ in which everybody is expected to contribute. Many of those present have been deliberately sleep deprived. The sessions are carefully supervised and dissent is rarely permitted – unless they are new or inoccuous, the dissenter will quickly be silenced. Elijah’s teachings are not to be questioned. He may have painstakingly taught his position from the Bible, but he would not painstakingly consider the opinion of anybody who disagreed. As he said, ‘If you cannot take it, the exit is there.’ But most people’s entire lives revolve around The Westminster Tradition. Walking out has serious repercussions which most are not willing to hazard. It’s easier just to follow Elijah’s instructions and trust that his understanding is supreme.

In this context of how hard and how often to beat children, Julia Low’s statement is terrifying. It also reveals the full extent of the coercion: members should do what their presiding pastor teaches even if they perceive it to be wrong. Presiding pastor is the role model and he beats the children for as long as it takes until their spirits are broken. He expects others to obey his preaching and do likewise. This is very worrying as parents are being encouraged not only to ignore the laws of their respective countries, but even to relinquish control over their own consciences – the only remaining restraint.

Responses to Elijah Chacko’s message on ‘The Upbringing Of Children In The Fear and Admonition Of The Lord‘ according to the book of Proverbs, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia; 15th June AD 2014.

The Jerusalem Times, 31st July AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 1st August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 2nd August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 3rd August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 4th August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 5th August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 6th August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 7th August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 8th August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 9th August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 10th August AD 2014

The Jerusalem Times, 11th August AD 2014

Responses to Elijah Chacko’s sermon on ‘Parenting And Nurture‘, John Bunyan house, Johor, Malaysia; 12th July AD 2009.

Mission Updates, 20th July AD 2009

Mission Updates, 21st July AD 2009

Mission Updates, 22nd July AD 2009

Mission Updates, 23rd July AD 2009

Mission Updates, 24th July AD 2009

Mission Updates, 27th July AD 2009