Bible Teaching in Schools
Time presents "The Case for Teaching the Bible" this week. While I naturally have concerns that what I consider to be Holy Scripture be taught with respect, I believe the Bible can and should be taught in public schools. On the other hand, those who are not devout Christians are sometimes apprehensive about Bible classes, fearing that their children will be proselytized. Time's article addresses the concerns of these divergent groups.
Western civilization, including great art and literature, rests largely on biblical insights and allusions; students without a knowledge of this Book are at great disadvantage. Students with a knowledge of the Bible immediately understand the implications of titles such as "Number the Stars" or "Jacob Have I Loved". Shakespeare alludes to Scripture often in his works. Basic knowledge of Bible stories provides a framework for a cultural literacy far richer than say, a familiarity with such cultural phenomena like Fear Factor.
Check out the article if you have opportunity, and leave me your thoughts
Labels: Bible, curriculum, public school
posted by Anna Venger @ 1:39 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Interesting. I'm of two minds on this one. The possibility of this becoming a source of evangalism is troubling but omitting it is also odd. How do you explain the references in so many great works of Western Civ? Judeo-Christian ethics and morality underpin our society and we ignore that at our peril. Without it we are in danger of becoming unmoored from our past.
I would favor teaching it as an elective, watch is closely and offer comparative religion as another elective.
As a source of literature, influence on western culture (let alone the world), and history, the Bible is the foremost book in importance. It should be at least taught at some point in every school to have a complete education, at the very least some readings, familiarity with the basic story and so on.
You can hardly read a book printed before 1950 without finding at least one Biblical reference, most great books have names from Biblical lines, and Biblical characters are the source of many western names. It's irresponsible to leave this out of any child's education.
I'm a bit confused. I went to public high school and we did study the bible in our literature class, three different years. I distinctly remember a quote that the King James Bible is "the only masterpiece ever created by committee."
Though, I do have to say, I'm not sure that I or any of my fellow students got anything out of it, educationally speaking. As with most literary illusions, they get explained whilst studying the work that alludes to them even if the original work never gets studied directly.
My only concern is that Non-believers, atheist etc... with agendas will be the ones teaching.
In the words of Lester Rolloff:
"No man living a crooked life has the right to interpret a straight word."
Letters
Santa Maria (CA) TIMES 4/6/07
NOTICE:
April 2007AD
1. The Shroud has produced three-dimension images of a body moving in space. Please seek your own trustworthy sources of verification. vincit veritas
2. The scientific world of physics is undergoing a revolutionary
change: a paradigm shift of universe proportions and implications.
Sir Isaac Newton would not be surprised. Joel 3:14 kjv
Have a truly Happy Resurrection Day!
semper fidelis
Jim Baxter
Santa Maria, CA
+ + +
Post a Comment
<< Home