A Fondness For Flogging

A Fondness For Flogging

Neal Pollard

Richard Snow authored the book, Sailing The Graveyard Sea, which details the only alleged case of mutiny in the history of the U.S. Navy. There are many interesting circumstances and subplots in this infamous incident, including a failed apprenticeship program, the captain’s literary success, and the sitting secretary of war’s son, accused as the mutiny’s ringleader, and his fascination with piracy. Another notable detail was ship captain Alexander MacKenzie’s fondness for flogging. Snow records that “during his six weeks at anchor in New York, MacKenzie put the colt (a type of whip, NP) to use 422 times, for crimes that ranged from spitting and throwing tea on the deck to blasphemy and ‘skulking'” (69). A former sailor under his charge called out the captain in print for cruel and unusual punishment, saying “he was noted for his cruelty to the men for small offenses and trifling accidents” (ibid.). 

Whatever drove MacKenzie to such fanatical levels of discipline (frequent flogging for apparently minor offenses was somewhat characteristic of that era), it would come up in his court-martial and hang over him in infamy. No less than James Fenimore Cooper would serve as his critic in what became known as “the Somers affair.” 

Jesus tangled with a group who had a verbal tendency to flog those who would not conform to their views. Even the rulers (Jewish leaders) were intimidated by the Pharisees, “for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). To the healed blind man that stood up to them, they rebuked, “‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?’ So they put him out” (John 9:34). This was part of their larger conspiracy to intimidate those who believed in Jesus (John 9:22). 

No one was a more favored object of their verbal abuse than Jesus. Three times they accused Him of having a demon for accurately calling out their wickedness (John 7:20; 8:48, 52). They accused Him of working for Satan, leading them to blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Mat. 12:25ff). They watched Him closely to find a reason to accuse Him (Luke 6:7). Yet, Jesus had no problem calling them out for it. He says, “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel” (Mat. 23:24). Read that entire chapter for a divine assessment of their tactics.

A love and passion for truth is praised in Scripture, but a fondness for flogging is not! Truth must be spoken in love (Eph. 4:15), kindness, patience, and gentleness (2 Tim. 2:24-25), and a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Long ago, Solomon had said, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1; cf. 15:18; 25:15). God puts such actions as “disputes, dissensions, factions” in the category of works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). 

Only God knows heart and motives, but we need to guard against a fondness for going after people for their perceived perpetrations. We need to be sure that we are not making mountains out of mole hills, mistaking what offends our sensitivities with what violates God’s will, or making our scruples the standard which others must pledge allegiance to. A faith in the Father’s form of teaching is imperative, but a fondness for flogging is improper!