Friday, April 13, 2007
The Bible in Public Schools
The April 2nd cover story for Time magazine, “Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public Schools” may sound like a victory for Christians. But before we welcome the suggestion with open arms, let’s examine what it really means.
The article’s author, David Van Biema, reasons that Biblical literacy is essential for understanding Shakespeare–who quotes the Bible some 1,300 times–and the language of the founding fathers, which drips with scriptural allusions. He also argues that a grasp of the Good Book is crucial for operating in a public square, where religion plays an ever more contentious role.
No doubt Van Biema is correct–teaching the Bible at school will produce smarter students and better citizens. And those are good things. But they are not the primary purposes for studying Scripture. And, as Shakespeare would say, “there’s the rub.”
In Van Biema’s proposal the Bible’s stated purposes for its study, such as inspiring belief (John 20:31) and convicting of sin (Hebrews 4:12) are strictly off limits. He favors introducing Bible courses to high school curricula, “as long as we teach it but don’t preach it.”
The issue is complicated. On one hand, familiarizing youth with the stories of Scripture may make them more amenable to Christianity. God does promise that His word “will not return empty” (Is. 55:11).
Conversely, non-Christian, public school teachers may teach the Bible with a strong, secular bias, objectifying the text and dismissing its miraculous accounts as mere myth. There’s a danger that students could absorb that bias, and as a result, be inoculated from the life-changing power of the gospel. After all, nothing’s more insufferable than a smug atheist, confirmed in his disbelief by a Bible-as-Lit. course.
So, should the Bible be taught in public schools? Tell us what do you think!
The article’s author, David Van Biema, reasons that Biblical literacy is essential for understanding Shakespeare–who quotes the Bible some 1,300 times–and the language of the founding fathers, which drips with scriptural allusions. He also argues that a grasp of the Good Book is crucial for operating in a public square, where religion plays an ever more contentious role.
No doubt Van Biema is correct–teaching the Bible at school will produce smarter students and better citizens. And those are good things. But they are not the primary purposes for studying Scripture. And, as Shakespeare would say, “there’s the rub.”
In Van Biema’s proposal the Bible’s stated purposes for its study, such as inspiring belief (John 20:31) and convicting of sin (Hebrews 4:12) are strictly off limits. He favors introducing Bible courses to high school curricula, “as long as we teach it but don’t preach it.”
The issue is complicated. On one hand, familiarizing youth with the stories of Scripture may make them more amenable to Christianity. God does promise that His word “will not return empty” (Is. 55:11).
Conversely, non-Christian, public school teachers may teach the Bible with a strong, secular bias, objectifying the text and dismissing its miraculous accounts as mere myth. There’s a danger that students could absorb that bias, and as a result, be inoculated from the life-changing power of the gospel. After all, nothing’s more insufferable than a smug atheist, confirmed in his disbelief by a Bible-as-Lit. course.
So, should the Bible be taught in public schools? Tell us what do you think!
Comments:
Links to this post:
<< Home
Inevitably the Bible gets taught somewhere under some sphere of authority. That authority determines what angle it takes on the Bible and weeds out all competitors. Whether it's public school, private school, or home school, the problem will always be the same. It just becomes more visible with public school.
There is an absolute truth in the Bible that ought to be preached. But this is where we are: in between. We cannot establish a perfect authority which never distorts the Scriptures. The Gospel will continually have to be owned by each generation and reestablished as Truth again and again. Daily repentance in one's life is in parallel with generational reform of society.
Jeff Barrett
www.didacticworship.com
There is an absolute truth in the Bible that ought to be preached. But this is where we are: in between. We cannot establish a perfect authority which never distorts the Scriptures. The Gospel will continually have to be owned by each generation and reestablished as Truth again and again. Daily repentance in one's life is in parallel with generational reform of society.
Jeff Barrett
www.didacticworship.com
The negative side to teaching the Bible in public schools is that first the United States government dictates what is and what is not taught. Secondly, the public format would have to be open to other forms of religious works such as the Koran or the Book of Mormon which are both literary works in themselves that have had impacts on cultures. Third, some parents will seek to justify their own spiritual laziness and lack of living out the truths of Scripture by once again dumping this on another as they do with children's and youth ministries. They don't live the truth but want others to teach their children the truth for them. This is the same problem I have with prayer in public schools.
I believe the Bible stands alone among all other literature. Since it is "quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword" the more exposure students get to it, the better. God will protect his Word and it will not return void.
# posted by 
: 3:02 PM
: 3:02 PM
I strongly support including the Bible in school curriculum. I disagree that this demands an openness to the inclusion of other religions texts, such as the Koran or Book of Mormon. The reasoning behind this assertion is that the USA is a "Christian" nation, founded on the principles outlined in the Bible. Moreover, this nation was birthed particularly to provide a country and nation that would serve as a haven for Christian believers, many of whom fled Europe to avoid persecution and intolerance of their protestant Christian faith. Neither the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, nor Muslims founded the American Nation. The constitution that protects our freedoms were not based on the revelations contained in their sacred writings. One nation "under [the] God [of the Bible]."
Have teachers pass tests to prove they are well-qualified to teach the scriptures. Becoming well-versed in the scriptures from cover to cover may well change some of the hardest hearts, or at least foster an attitude of respect. Guest lecturers should include well-respected Christian Bible scholars!
Have teachers pass tests to prove they are well-qualified to teach the scriptures. Becoming well-versed in the scriptures from cover to cover may well change some of the hardest hearts, or at least foster an attitude of respect. Guest lecturers should include well-respected Christian Bible scholars!
# posted by : 11:32 PM
: 11:32 PM
Also;
We pray all of the time for the Bible to be taught in schools. We also ask for Christian prayer to be reintroduced. If the Lord begins to answer these prayers, let us not worry ourselves too, too much about how much of the Bible, who will teach it, how it will be regulated, etc. When will we trust God, and remember that any of the Bible taught to someone is better than none at all, at least in the vast majority of circumstances. I understand the fear that some teachers may purposely malign the message of the Bible, but they're already trying to render it powerless by keeping it altogether silenced, aren't they?
We pray all of the time for the Bible to be taught in schools. We also ask for Christian prayer to be reintroduced. If the Lord begins to answer these prayers, let us not worry ourselves too, too much about how much of the Bible, who will teach it, how it will be regulated, etc. When will we trust God, and remember that any of the Bible taught to someone is better than none at all, at least in the vast majority of circumstances. I understand the fear that some teachers may purposely malign the message of the Bible, but they're already trying to render it powerless by keeping it altogether silenced, aren't they?
# posted by : 11:37 PM
: 11:37 PM
Yest the Bible should be taught in and available in public schools. People need to read and hear the scriptures. Whether or not people accept it as the living Word and accept Jesus Christ as the "way, truth, and life" will be and can only be done by God's conviction in their hearts.
Thank God He is in control and has victory forever. The battle is on and as disciples of Christ we must wear our shield of faith daily and persevere in Him.
In the Love of Christ, my Lord, Savior, & King. -Mike S.
Thank God He is in control and has victory forever. The battle is on and as disciples of Christ we must wear our shield of faith daily and persevere in Him.
In the Love of Christ, my Lord, Savior, & King. -Mike S.
# posted by : 5:42 AM
: 5:42 AM
Will the students have easy access to the whole Bible? How can that be bad? Although I understand that the public schools won't help us do our job of preaching the basic purpose of the Word - conviction of sin etc., if kids could read it, that would be good!
Pastor Roger Barcus
stpaulapostolic.com
Post a Comment
Pastor Roger Barcus
stpaulapostolic.com
Links to this post:
<< Home
