One recent example of a study that could be used to undermine the authority of the Bible is a study by psychologist Elizabeth Thompson Gershoff who analyzed 88 studies involving corporal punishment. It was a study of studies. She concluded that corporal (physical) punishment encourages negative behaviors in children. Some could use this as a pretext to erroneously say that spanking is bad for children. The Bible, on the contrary, teaches that spanking is appropriate in child rearing. "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15).

Walter L. Larimore, MD,  in his article titled "Is Spanking Actually Harmful to Children?" analyzes Gershoff's study and finds it scientifically flawed in several respects. For additional articles on spanking just go to Focus On the Family's website, family.org and type "spanking" in the search box). Larimore points out that most of the studies Gershoff analyzed for her article lumped overly severe punishment (child abuse) in with spanking! The phrase "Corporal punishment" was used as a general term that included both spanking and physical child abuse.

Larimore also points out that in the same edition of the Bulletin of the American Psychological Association in which Gershoff's article appeared was another article by three prominent researchers that contradicted her findings and supports mild spanking. This means that part of the academic community supports the biblical position on the issue of spanking. Dr. Larimore, in his article, indicates that rightly performed studies reveal the benefits of spanking as a disciplinary tool.

When young people go off to college they often encounter liberal college professors who use social science studies to contradict the Bible's teachings on marriage, child rearing and other issues. What they often fail to point out however, is that since social science studies are so inexact, a person can take almost any bizarre, outlandish position on a social issue and then go and find a study somewhere that will back up the position. When you argue from social science studies you find that your opponent also cites studies that contradict you. An academic debate can quickly devolve into a "my studies can beat up your studies" kind of foolishness.  

It is often the case that the people who conduct the studies are biased against the Bible and will consciously or unconsciously skew the study to fit their pre-ordained conclusion. Some academics claim that social science is not science at all because of its inexactness and subjectivity. These academics would limit the meaning of the word "science" to the hard sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology.

This is not to say that all studies are worthless. They do have value. I and many others maintain that rightly carried out studies confirm and support the Bible's wisdom.

I recommend Focus on the Family's website family.org as an excellent source of scholarly articles dealing with social issues.   

The Bible is scientifically accurate! Find the evidence at www.icr.org.  

Steps to salvation: Jesus said "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)

1. Believe that God created you and loves you and sent the Messiah (Messiah is Hebrew for Christ) to redeem you.
2. Believe that Jesus the Messiah came in fulfillment of over 300 Bible prophecies to die for you to take upon Himself the penalty for your sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6, John 6:29, Romans 4:5, First Peter 3:18)
3. Turn from sin and call on the name of Jesus to receive forgiveness. (Romans 10:13)
4. Receive Jesus as Savior and experience the new birth. (John 1:12, Acts 2:38)
5. Follow Him as Lord. (John 14:21)

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

To receive the salvation that Jesus purchased for us at the terrible cost of His suffering and death on our behalf I invite you to pray this simple prayer:

"Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the promised Messiah, to die for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit to empower me to serve you under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer in the humble sincerity of your heart then you have received everlasting life, which includes power to live right in this life and entrance into heaven in the afterlife!

Bill Nugent, Overcomer Ministries of West Harrison, New York, USA

(C) 2010 William P. Nugent, permission granted to email or republish if credit given

DEFENDING THE FAITH APOLOGETIC ARTICLES Bill Nugent currently writes a series of articles called "Defending the Faith" which, as the title suggests, defend the Christian faith from the many attacks leveled against it in our postmodern world. The articles deal with such topics as evolution, UFOs, cults, modern/postmodern philosophy, liberal theology and popular culture. At the end of each article is an invitation to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. These articles are sent out over the Internet to several opt-in email lists. People who receive these articles are encouraged to resend them to their own lists and in this way reach their own unsaved relatives and friends with the Gospel. All Defending the Faith articles are © 2009 William P. Nugent, permission is granted to email or republish if credit given. To receive these articles which are sent out once per month fill in your email address below and click the SUBMIT button. *Security: Write the characters in the image above (Case sensitive)