Time magazine makes the case for teaching the Bible in public schools

By Don Ruhl

The cover of Time Magazine for April 2, 2007 made this amazing declaration, “Why we should teach the bible in public school {But very, very carefully).”

Time is the number one liberal secular newsmagazine in America. Yet, a liberal and secular source argued that the Bible should be taught in public schools!

However, the magazine added, “Very, Very Carefully.” Those passionate for the teaching of God's word will have no problem with that caution. We wish all people would teach the Bible very, very carefully!

I have been praying since about 1993 that this would happen in America and no doubt many others have been uttering the same prayer. Praise God that He answers prayer!

Time Magazine: Teaching the Bible in School

The article began with this subtitle, “Should the Holy Book be on the public-school menu? Yes. It's the bedrock of Western culture. And it's constitutional-as long as we teach but don't preach it.”

The article not only argues for teaching the Bible in public school, but also shows that it is happening right now.

The students do not feel pressured into taking the class, but have signed up for it, not wanting to be ignorant and not wanting to look ignorant to their friends, because they have a sincere desire to hold intelligent conversations! Who wants to argue against that?

The article says that 460 school districts, spread over 37 states, teach a course using the textbook The Bible and Its Influence. There are over 13,000 school districts in America. So, there is a long way to go, but 460 school districts is a start.

The article makes the point that even non-religious people need Bible courses. The bold print and all capitals are in the original, “So what? I'm not a very religious person SIMPLY PUT, THE BIBLE IS THE MOST influential book ever written. Not only is the Bible the best-selling book of all time, it is the best-selling book of the year every year.”

Time said that if someone cannot see that the Bible should be taught for literature purposes, then it should be for historical reasons, “If literature doesn't interest you, you also need the Bible to make sense of the ideas and rhetoric that have helped drive U.S. history.”

Perhaps what caused the writing of this article was the publication of a book by Stephen Prothero, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know-and Doesn't. Mr. Prothero chairs the Boston University religion department and he believes that classes will be taught in an objectionable manner, but that the courts will settle the problem. To which Time said, “Prothero may be overly sanguine about the workings of the U.S. court system. But even if he's wrong, this shouldn't stop schools from making some effort to teach the Bible.”

Finally, the article ended with this paragraph, “And, oh yes, there should be one faith test. Faith in our country. Sure, there will be bumps along the way. But in the end, what is required in teaching about the Bible in our public schools is patriotism: a belief that we live in a nation that understands the wisdom of its Constitution clearly enough to allow the most important book in its history to remain vibrantly accessible for everyone.

What Can We Do?
First, let us replace our negative, critical, and bitter attitudes with hope for America's schools. Things are changing. Ecclesiastes says that there is, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4 Now is the time to laugh! Now is the time to dance! Just think how much America can change if the Bible is taught in public schools again!

Second, get involved in getting The Bible and Its Influence used in our schools. I have already started the process myself. Go to this web site and click on Volunteers: http://www.bibleliteracy.org/Site/index2.htm

Third, pray that this movement grow, and that we have the wisdom, courage, knowledge, funding, and tenacity to get this done!
Fourth, teach the Bible as the word of God.

Don Ruhl writes from Grants Pass, Oregon.