Some e-mails about today’s column:

1) While I’m an opponent of teaching Creationism or ID in science class, I do agree that The Bible should be studied in Literature classes.
You’re quite correct that much of the great literature of the west cannot be fully understood without some knowledge of The Bible.
However, I think you have missed a crucial point – conservative Christians will never allow it. To teach The Bible as literature is quite different from teaching it as “the infallible word of God.” In a literary context, students must be encouraged to interpret and criticize the work. Imagine the outrage among evangelicals and their ilk when they discover that students, when studying The bible as a work of literature, are raising questions of authorship, authenticity, translation and interpretation. To study the Bible objectively is to question it’s status as the Word of God and Christians will never allow it.
2) You are quite right in stating that Bible literacy is indispensable for a sound education. The question is where should Bible literacy be acquired?
We are indeed a Bible-soaked nation (or were) because everyone was Bible-literate (it was the only book that many Americans owned).
Thus Lincoln used Biblical allusions because that was the common literary/cultural atmosphere. But remember that this universal Bible literacy came from the home and the church. That is, from people who not only knew it thoroughly, but loved it. It was not a “subject” to be taught. I am loathe to entrust Bible education to public school teachers for the same reason that I cringe to think these same “educators” are teaching sex-education (also a worthy and important part of education, but better left to home and church). Do we really want religion-hating secularists “teaching” the Sermon on the Mount?
3) I don’t see “The Bible as Lit.” catching on. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Heb. 4:12). It just doesn’t do to flirt, aesthetically, with the absolute character of the ethical-religious. Both proponents and opponents probably know this, the lukewarm won’t care. It’s a pity though, I couldn’t agree with you more about its cultural significance. It’s ironic that it contributes to an aesthetic cultural cohesion that’s being eroded. But wasn’t that cultural advantage a by-product of belief?

ME: 1) That’s definitely a wrinkle, although this textbook goes as far as humanly possible to present the Bible without offending anyone, secular, Catholic, evangelical, Jewish; 2) Yes, home and church is where you need to get a real education in the Bible; 3) Yes, Bible education in the schools is pretty weak tea compared to the sort of awareness of the Bible that used to be widespread and based on belief.

But I still think trying to make students more familiar with the Bible is an important educational goal, and that the folks behind “The Bible and It’s Influence” have done excellent work in a very difficult area. I urge parents out there to check it out. Thanks for all the thoughtful e-mails.