The book seeks to dramatically increase current 8% of public
schools offering Bible electives
For immediate release
Creators of the landmark student textbook,
The Bible and Its Influence
- lauded
by the media, faith leaders, and scholars since its release in late September,
2005 - say that this new textbook and its accompanying teacher training program
will help vastly expand the number of public schools that offer Bible electives.
"We've been stuck at a very low level of Bible literacy for a generation: only 8 percent of public schools now offer any academic study of the Bible. Our goal with this new textbook is to lead the way in increasing that from 8 to 80
percent," said Chuck Stetson, co-author of the new student textbook, and
chairman of the Bible Literacy Project (http://www.bibleliteracy.org) which produced
it.
"In our course, the Bible itself is required reading," said Sheila Weber,
vice president of communications for the Bible Literacy Project. "But the
student textbook, along with teacher training, is an important new resource for
public schools seeking a Bible course that respects the Bible's role as sacred
scripture to millions of Americans, and yet meets court-defined First Amendment
standards. This course will give both believing and unbelieving students a
better grasp of what the Bible actually says, while at the same time showing
them how its words have significantly influenced our culture - with visually
engaging features about the impact on literature, music, art, speeches, history
and the English language itself."
Weber is available for interviews. You may contact her at
sheila@bibleliteracy.org
or
646-322-6853.
The Bible and Its Influence was reviewed by 41 scholars representing a broad
range of Biblically-based faith traditions. The Associated Press cites The Bible
and Its Influence as one of the top "notable books on religion in 2005
... for its
distinctiveness and potential importance."
Since the textbook's release last September, educators representing more than
360 Schools in 43 states are using the textbook and schools in all 50 states are reviewing The Bible and Its Influence for
potential use next fall. High schools in 10 states have already adopted the
textbook for use in September 2006. "But this is a well-tested curriculum,"
explains Weber. "Beginning with a pilot program that began in 2004, the course
is currently being used in Oregon, California, Washington, and Texas schools."
The Bible and Its Influence
has statements of support from Chuck Colson (founder of Prison
Fellowship), Vonette Bright (co-founder of Campus Crusade for
Christ), and Joe Stowell (former president of Moody Bible College), in addition
to support from the general counsel of the American Jewish Congress, the senior
scholar at The First Amendment Center, and the chair of the Catholic Biblical
Association. (See "What Leaders are Saying" at
http://www.bibleliteracy.org).
"Our goal
was a Bible curriculum that respects the religious views of parents and
students, is of high academic quality, and meets court-defined standards," notes
Weber. “Our textbook teaches students not only what is in the Bible, but how
influential the Bible has been in our history, art, literature, law, and
civilization. This is invaluable information students ought to know and must
know to do well college entrance exams.” (More than 90 percent of leading high school
English teachers say that Bible knowledge is critical to a good education – see
other attached facts from the Bible Literacy Report).
Scholars on the accuracy and fidelity of
The Bible and Its Influence
Rev. Peter Lillback, Ph.D., president of Westminster Theological Seminary, is
one of the 41 scholars who reviewed The Bible and Its Influence. He writes that
“The informational content, accuracy, exposition, illustrations, and tone are
all extremely well done, and I congratulate you on a highly accurate and
readable presentation.”
Dr. Leland Ryken of Wheaton College (IL),
who has written more than 20 books on the Bible, said in his review: “I
learned something new on every page ... The Bible
and Its Influence is an undisputed triumph of scholarship and presentation. The
achievement is breathtaking ... If virtue is its own reward, so is excellence. The
material is excellent.”
Contrary to several reports in the media,
The Bible and Its Influence
has
neither sought nor received an endorsement from the ACLU or other similar
organizations. The textbooks was conceived and written solely by the Bible
Literacy Project.
The Bible itself is key to our course
The Bible Literacy Project course uses two books - the Bible (a version of the
student’s choice) and the student textbook, The Bible and Its Influence.
Students cannot understand the Bible without reading it directly for themselves.
Two great advantages of our student textbook are 1) it helps a teacher stick to
what the Bible actually says and avoid either promoting or disparaging any faith
or lack of faith; and 2) it educates students on the vast influence of the Bible
on American and Western art, literature, law, history, culture and music.
Teachers who have used the textbook have been most appreciative of the guidance,
which models respect for the Bible’s status as sacred scripture to millions of
Americans while using a high-quality academic approach, explained Weber.
Regarding history
“Although the courts have said that a public school Bible course cannot
promote a faith perspective, our course affirms that for people of faith, the
Bible is history,” notes Weber. “The Bible and Its Influence curriculum is
intended to teach students what is in the Bible: the people, the accounts, the
themes, as well as to give them some understanding of the Bible’s extensive
influence on our shared American culture.” Chuck Stetson, the textbook
co-author, says that “to be well-educated, students need to know about the
Bible, and our goal with this new curriculum is to remove obstacles that have
kept the academic study of the Bible out of public schools."
Teachers’ edition and national teacher training
“We want to make sure people know there is a teachers’ edition of the
textbook in the review process right now, with early review copies available
upon request by school boards and the final version due out this spring. In
addition, we offer the only university-based training on how to teach about the
Bible,” says Weber. "Our teacher training is available online
(http://www.bibleliteracy.org/Training) and offers valuable continuing education credits or
graduate level credits. It features eminent scholars and textbook reviewers,
such as Dr. Leland Ryken of Wheaton College, (IL), Dr. Tremper Longman of
Westmont College, Dr. Paul Borgman of Gordon College, and Dr. Robert Alter,
professor of Hebrew at University of California-Berkeley, among others.” The
next class starts May 22nd.
BLP is a nonpartisan supporter of Bible literacy
Legislators in several states (including Alabama and Georgia) have indicated
new interest in legislation supporting the Bible in public schools. However, the
Bible Literacy Project - a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization - has not
initiated any such legislation but does not oppose it.
"We'd like to emphasize that local school boards can already choose to adopt
our course, as we are seeing right now all across the country,” said Weber. “But
for too long school boards and state boards of education have not focused on
this need, so legislation may assist and encourage the cause of Bible literacy
by giving schools greater confidence to move ahead more quickly with scholarly
Bible electives that use a court-approved approach. We believe good legislation
should assist all legal Bible curricula for public schools.”
Weber is available for interviews. You may contact her at
sheila@bibleliteracy.org or
646-322-6853.
More than 98 percent of leading high school English teachers say that Bible
knowledge gives a distinct academic advantage.
More than 90 percent of leading high school English teachers say that Bible
knowledge is critical to a good education.
Teachers surveyed said students are "clueless, stumped, and confused," and
that loss of Bible knowledge is harming students' ability to properly understand
literature, art, music, history and culture.
Only 8 percent of teens from public schools said their school offered a Bible
elective course.
There are more than 1300 Biblical references in all the works of Shakespeare.
More than 60 percent of allusions in one AP literature prep course are
Biblical phrases.
* Released at the National Press Club in April 2005 with George Gallup, Jr, and
funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
Additional Press Information at
http://www.bibleliteracy.org/press
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