Teachers will want to read the cover story of this week’s TIME magazine- “Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public Schools.” Senior religion reporter David Van Biema praises The Bible Literacy Project and its textbook The Bible and Its Influence, which CEAI leaders have endorsed and previously highlighted to our members. Van Biema argues that academic study of the Bible in public schools (as an elective) is crucially important and writes:

“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.... It's the MOST influential book ever written and the best-selling book of the year every year. Shakespeare alludes to Scripture some 1,300 times, and you also need the Bible to make sense of the ideas and rhetoric that have helped drive U.S. history.”

This is why the Bible Literacy Project developed the first and only student textbook for public high school academic study of the Bible, which Van Biema lauds, saying, “[Public school Bible electives] should have a strong accompanying textbook on the model of The Bible and Its Influence...” The textbook has received other accolades from all sides - educators, scholars, secularists, and many faith leaders, including evangelicals Chuck Colson and Vonette Bright.

The Bible Literacy Project has recently launched a new VOLUNTEER effort, with new staff to train educators, parents and community members on how to present this course to your local school. To be trained as a volunteer, go to www.bibleliteracy.org/volunteer.

We urge you to pick up a copy of the April 2nd issue of TIME or click here to read the entire article online.