To Train Up a Child
To Train Up a Child is a 1994 book written by Michael and Debi Pearl, published through their non-profit organization No Greater Joy ministries. Michael Pearl claimed in 2011 that it had sold more than 670,000 copies,[1] although Nielsen BookScan records only 9,579 sales between 2001 and 2013.[2]
No Greater Joy ministries
No Greater Joy ministries is Michael Pearl's 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The organization brings in between $1.5 and $1.7 million a year through product sales and donations[3][4] and has sold or donated over 1.5 million copies of Pearl's books, CDs, DVDs, and other materials.[3] The Pearls state that they do not receive royalties from the sales, and that the profits are used for ministry purposes.[5]
Michael and Debi Pearl
Michael Pearl (born 1945)[6] is an American independent Baptist preacher and author. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Mid-South Bible College, he worked with Union Mission in Memphis, Tennessee for 25 years.[7] His 2006 graphic novel Good and Evil[8] won the Independent Publishers' IPPY Award Bronze Medal in the Graphic Novel/Drama category in 2009,[9] and was a 2009 ForeWord Book Award finalist.[10] His other publications include No Greater Joy magazine,[11] Training Children to be Strong in Spirit,[12] and Created to Be His Help Meet.[13]
Pearl married his wife Debi Pearl in 1971.[14] Together they wrote To Train Up a Child, which was published in 1994.[2] As of February 2012, the Pearls have five children and eighteen grandchildren.[7] Their daughter Shoshanna Easling has said she had a wonderful childhood and that her parents never spoke to her in anger.[6] Another daughter, Rebekah Pearl Anast, has said, "I think that the fact that all five of us are very happy, balanced people with great marriages and happy kids is evidence that my parents did the right thing."[15]
Controversy
The content of To Train Up a Child has been cited as advocating child abuse.
References
- ^ Hodson, Jeff. "Did Hana's parents "train" her to death?". Article published Nov. 27, 2011. The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ a b Merritt, Jonathan. "How influential are Michael and Debi Pearl? And how harmful?". Article published Apr. 22, 2013. Religion News Service. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
- ^ a b Harris, Lynn. "Spare the quarter-inch plumbing line, spare the child". Article published May 25, 2006. Salon.com. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ Eckholm, Erik. "Preaching Virtue of Spanking, Even as Deaths Fuel Debate". Article published Nov. 6, 2011. The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ "About Us". No Greater Joy website. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ a b Erik Eckholm, Preaching Virtue of Spanking, Even as Deaths Fuel Debate, New York Times, November 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "Meet the Pearls". No Greater Joy website. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ Pearl, Michael (2006). Good and Evil. No Greater Joy ministries. ISBN 1-892112-38-8.
- ^ "Announcing 2009 IPPY Awards National and Regional Results". Independent Publisher website. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ "Book of the Year Awards". ForeWord Publishing website. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ "Magazine". No Greater Joy website. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ Pearl, Michael (2011). Training Children to be Strong in Spirit. No Greater Joy ministries. ISBN 978-1-61644-037-4.
- ^ Pearl, Michael (2012). Created to Need a Help Meet. No Greater Joy ministries.
- ^ Pearl, Michael and Debi (1994). To Train Up a Child. No Greater Joy Ministries. pp. About the Author. ISBN 1-892112-00-0.
- ^ Harris, Lynn (May 25, 2006). "Spare the quarter-inch plumbing line, spoil the child". Salon. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
