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Why American Students Need the Bible
The Bible is an essential resource for both K-12 students and college students. In our current intellectual culture, which is often hostile towards the Bible, it has been largely removed from curricula. As a result, too many Americans graduate with a distorted understanding of themselves, our national history, our Judeo-Christian heritage, and our political experiment in self-government. It is crucial to understand why our students need the Bible, as it holds the title of the best-selling book of all time and yet an entire generation remains ignorant of its contents. Additionally, the Bible serves as the primary document in Western history and has had a profound influence on various aspects of our world.
The Knowledge of the Bible is Foundational to Understanding Western Culture
The Bible has played a significant role in shaping Western culture. Its influence can be seen in our art, literature, philosophy, education and justice systems, as well as our understanding of government and family. Furthermore, it has had a profound effect on humanitarianism and philanthropy. Its impact is evident throughout Western culture, unlocking vocabulary, symbols, images, and metaphors that are deeply rooted in biblical references. Students who possess Bible knowledge have a distinct advantage in their education, as surveys conducted by U.S. high school English teachers have shown.
The Bible is Also Foundational to Understanding American History
In early America, Christianity was the predominant religion, and the Bible provided the framework for society. Our nation’s founders extensively read and quoted from the Bible, more so than any other book. The Bible played a pivotal role in both our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Renowned figures such as John Adams and Benjamin Rush recognized the value of Bible education in schools, as it instilled moral sensibility and prepared young people for self-governance. The Bible has shaped our understanding of law, freedom, and the redemptive story that animates our civilization.
The Bible in Schools: Debunking Misconceptions
Some may argue that it is unconstitutional to teach and read the Bible in schools. However, this belief only emerged in mid-20th century America, with the Supreme Court ruling in Everson vs. Board of Education. Before this, many American leaders, including President Roosevelt, described our nation as one that held to Christian ideals. Although the Supreme Court later ruled against school-sponsored prayer and Bible reading in Engle vs. Vitale (1962) and Abington School District vs. Schempp (1963), these decisions did not ban the Bible from our schools. The Bible can still be studied academically, as literature, history, and part of the history of religions. It remains a valuable text for teaching about its contents and its influence on our civilization.
Embracing Bible Education in Public Institutions
While parochial and religious schools have more freedom to teach the Bible, it is essential to expand its presence in public institutions. Requiring the teaching of the Bible as the primary document of Western civilization and a significant influence on our national history is a crucial step. The Bible should be taught academically, as literature, highlighting its narrative and characters. It should not be treated as just one of many religions but as our nation’s formative religion. Every educated person deserves to know the Bible, regardless of their personal beliefs. We are currently experiencing issues such as biblical illiteracy, purposelessness among young people, high suicide rates, a mental health crisis, a lack of character formation, gender confusion, and anti-intellectualism. This Bible-phobia is causing further fragmentation, division, and hopelessness within our society. Therefore, it is imperative to reintroduce the Bible into our schools and reverse these destructive trends.
Written by Donald Sweeting, Chancellor of Colorado Christian University
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