The Bible and Its Influence, published by The Bible Literacy Project (www.bibleliteracy.org)
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A new textbook designed for use in public high schools will be providing “thorough and extensive” instruction on the Bible and its influence throughout history.
Titled “The Bible and Its Influence,” the new textbook was released on Thursday by the Bible Literacy Project and is the first book designed to meet the standards of use in public schools by presenting an academic view of the Bible and includes the cultural influence of the Bible throughout history.
“There has never been a public high school textbook like this,” commented Chuck Stetson, the Chairman and founder of the Bible Literacy Project. “It was created to satisfy all constituencies involved in the heated public debate about the Bible in public schools … it meets consensus standards for fulfilling First Amendment guidelines in that it informs and instructs, but does not promote religion.”
Working jointly with the First Amendment Center, the Bible Literacy Project has published documents informing teachers of the proper role of religion in public schools.
An earlier publication, titled “The Bible and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide,” affirms the importance of religion as part of a complete education. The guide clearly explains that education about religion, presented objectively, fit within the legal standards of the First Amendment.
Prior to its release, the Bible Literacy Project’s newest textbook was edited by 40 reviewers and pilot tested in public high schools and a university training course. Several scholars, leaders, and educators also had a chance to review and comment on the textbook.
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“’The Bible and Its Influence’ is an undisputed triumph of scholarship and presentation. The achievement is breathtaking,” said Leland Ryken, Ph.D., the Clyde S. Kilby Professor of English at Wheaton College, Ill.
“This book is extremely ‘student friendly.’ It is interesting, informative, and challenging, and makes connections to contemporary, relevant events,” said Stuart Rowe, a teacher of English at Prairie High School, a public school in Vancouver, Wash. “It is objective and unbiased, and is sensitive and non-threatening to students' belief systems. Teachers and students both will enjoy working with this textbook.”
“The Bible Literacy Report,” released in April 2005, showed that knowledge of the Bible is an important aspect in the study of literature, art, music, and history. However, a Gallup poll of 1,002 teenagers released around the same time showed electives on the Bible were available to only about 8 percent of high school students.
The report “revealed a huge disconnect between what teachers and scholars say is needed in American education and what students are actually offered,” said Stetson.
“It is completely legal to provide a course on the Bible,” he continued. However, many public school teachers avoid including courses on religion in their schools because of legal fears.
The Bible Literacy Project hopes that the recent publications and the new textbook will help in bringing the Bible back into schools.
“Our new textbook was created to make school boards, educators and people of faith feel confident and comfortable,” said Stetson.
