Adventist Today Defames Famous Poet

The Adventist Today anonymous feature called Aunt Sevvy gave us another example of the low editorial standards of Adventist Today. We read the following in the Aunt sevvy column on Spanking.  Aunt Sevvy and the Spanking Enthusiast

The phrase “spare the rod and spoil the child” isn’t in the Bible. It’s from a Samuel Butler poem where it is used in the context of sadomasochism in a romantic relationship. Yup, true story. So let’s just never, ever use that maxim again.

It is in fact from the poem by Samuel Butler. But it is hardly in the context of a sadomasochism romantic relationship. As the Encylopedia Brittanica writes of the poem Hudibras:

Hudibras, satiric poem by Samuel Butler, published in several parts beginning in 1663. The immediate success of the first part resulted in a spurious second part’s appearing within the year; the authentic second part was published in 1664. The two parts, plus “The Heroical Epistle of Hudibras to Sidrophel,” were reprinted together in 1674. In 1678 a third (and last) part was published. The work is directed against the fanaticism, pretentiousness, pedantry, and hypocrisy Butler saw in militant Puritanism.
The eponymous hero of Hudibras is a Presbyterian knight who goes “a-coloneling” with his squire, Ralpho, an Independent. They constantly squabble over religious questions and, in a series of grotesque adventures, are shown to be ignorant, wrongheaded, cowardly, and dishonest. Butler derived his outline from Miguel de Cervantes and his burlesque method from Paul Scarron. However, his brilliant handling of the octosyllabic metre, his witty, clattering rhymes, his delight in strange words and esoteric learning, and his enormous zest and vigour create effects that are entirely original.

(Hudibras, part 2,canto 1, lines 835-855) 

..ring me, on oath, a fair account, 835

And honour too, when you have done't,

And I'll admit you to the place You claim as due in my good grace.

If matrimony and hanging go By dest'ny, why not whipping too? 840

What med'cine else can cure the fits Of lovers when they lose their wits?

Love is a boy by poets stil'd; Then spare the rod and spoil the child.

A Persian emp'ror whipp'd his grannam 845 The sea, his mother VENUS came on;

And hence some rev'rend men approve Of rosemary in making love.

As skilful coopers hoop their tubs With Lydian and with Phrygian dubs, 850

Why may not whipping have as good A grace, perform'd in time and mood,

With comely movement, and by art, Raise passion in a lady's heart?

It is an easier way to make

Since the entire poem is a satire it is really poor thinking to label it as sadomasochism in a romantic relationship!