BRUSHFORK ELEMENTARY

It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, may not be affected consistently with the First Amendment. (Abington V. Schempp, 374 US 203)

This ruling has never been reversed. No court has ever ruled against the teaching of the Bible as history and literature. Any school system that has stopped Bible classes has done so because of aspects unrelated to the actual teaching of the Bible as history and literature.

2. Q. Is there any need for a Bible course in the Public School?

A. YES. Northrop Frye, the great literary critic of the

century, has said,

The Bible forms the lowest stratum in the teaching of literature. It should be taught so early and so thoroughly that it sinks straight to the bottom of the mind, where everything that comes along later can settle on it. (The Educated Imagination, p. 110)

According to Dr. Eileen Phy, professor of English at Alabama State University , John Milton, considered by most to be the second greatest English writer, can hardly be taught today on the college level due to the students’ ignorance of the Bible. Literature contains so many biblical allusions that a biblical ignorance cripples any meaningful literary study.

3. Q. If the Bible can be taught, should not any book on religion be

allowed to be taught?

A. It depends on the purpose.

If the purpose is to promote a religion, no. If the purpose is the educational benefit of the child, yes. Not all books, though, deserve the same attention as the Bible. The impact of the Bible on the American culture merits for the book far greater attention that is merited by any other book. To cut our children off from the Bible is to cut them off from their cultural roots. This cannot be said for any other single book.

4. Q. Would not a high school course on the Bible adequately meet the

student’s need of the Bible knowledge?

A. By no means.

Northrop Frye, as quoted earlier, speaking purely from a literary view point said, “It should be taught so early and so thoroughly that it sinks straight to the bottom of the mind, where everything that comes along later can settle on it”

(Frye, p. 110)

5. Q. What does it mean to study the Bible as literature?

A. A survey of books on the teaching of literature reveals a variety

of emphases, with the trend today being toward the third approach listed below. (See Hans P. Guth, English for a New Generation). All are legitimate, educational methods.

A. Historical backgrounds, emphasizing the writer, the

setting and the sources.

B. Literary criticism, emphasizing analysis of style, structure,

literary devices and craftsmanship.

C. Relevance to life, emphasizing basic human meaning,

(The Commission on English of the “College Examination Board” writes that the study of literature should bring the work directly against the reader’s own experiences.)

6. Q. Should any community group who wishes to start a

program be allowed to bring it into the schools?

A. It all depends on the educational value of the program and whether that educational need is already being met.

Generally there is a total vacuum of biblical knowledge in the school curriculum which, as noted elsewhere, has created a generation of young people handicapped in their understanding of literature.

7. Q. How do you deal with differing doctrinal interpretation?

A. They are neither taught nor dealt with.

When children ask doctrinal questions they are instructed to ask their parents. Explanations of events are given but doctrinal explanations and interpretations are not.

8. Q. Is this a church-operated program?

A. NO. The program is operated by the Mercer County Board of

Education.

9. Q. If the teaching of the Bible is legal, why is the Bible Program not

financed by the Board of Education?

A. It could be, but the Board of Education does not have the finances for it. Community funding assures the continuance of the program when the Board of Education has to cut other programs.

10. Q. Is this in anyway violating separation of Church and State?

A. NO. The Bible is not taught as religion but as history and literature according to the guidelines set by the Supreme Court.

(See question 1.)

For further questions

Pam Neal

Bible Committee Chairman

304-589-7495