Should the Bible be taught in public schools? House Bill 128, passed by the House of Representatives and currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate education committee, calls for the Kentucky Department of Education to develop policies that allow public schools to offer elective courses in Bible literacy.

At first glance, it sounds like a wonderful idea — one which all Kentucky Baptists could support. Indeed, Rep. D.J. Johnson is right: “The areas and aspects of life that it (the Bible) touches on goes from government policy, music, poetry, prose, literature styles, (and) historical content. It literally impacts everything we do in high school. Because of that, having a course on Bible literacy as a social studies course, will, without question, enrich the academic lives of our students.”

What Kentucky Baptist wouldn’t rush at the chance to promote Bible literacy among our youth? Moreover, we applaud the Senate’s recent approval of a bill that would permit students to express religious viewpoints in school assignments freely, without fear of discrimination, to wear religious messages on clothing, and to have access to campus facilities for religious meetings. We long for everyone to have an opportunity to hear God’s word. And, teaching the Bible in our schools may afford witnessing opportunities, a chance for our students to share their faith with friends. But hold on. Maybe we should examine this issue more closely.

How exactly will the Bible be taught? As a social studies elective, chosen as an option by interested students, mostly from Christian families? Not as God’s word. Not as history. Not as truth. Would the Bible be taught as merely an ancient belief system or superstition? Would the Bible be valued only for the social mores it teaches and its varied cultural contributions? It matters.

Would Jesus be viewed as a great teacher? As a philosopher? Would His miracles be discounted? Or, would Jesus be revered as the Son of God? Would his death on a cross be seen as the atonement for our sins? Would the resurrection be treated as myth, hoax, or fact? Would the disciples be seen as merely a band of faithful friends, or as apostles who would become the very foundation of the early church, ignited by the fire of the Holy Spirit and commissioned to take the gospel to all nations? It matters.

By whom will the Bible courses be taught? This should be a major concern for Christian parents. Will it be taught by believers, agnostics, or atheists? Will it be taught by Protestants, Catholics, or Mormons? Will it be taught by seminary-trained teachers and ministers, or social studies teachers, science teachers, history teachers, philosophy teachers, or perhaps coaches? For that matter, who chooses the curriculum and which version of the Bible will be used in the classroom? It matters.

Does this not open a door for other faith groups to offer courses for our children? Could Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Scientologist and atheist electives one day become part of the curriculum? More importantly, what will this communicate to our children? Will they be taught Christianity is the only way to salvation, or that it is one of many religious paths? It matters.

What about separation of church and state issues? Is our government favoring one particular faith group over others? Is it fair for tax dollars to be used to the benefit of a particular religion, even if it happens to be ours? How might we feel about Mormonism being taught? How might we feel about our kids being exposed to the Koran and its values? It matters.

No, we’re not against teaching the Bible to our children. That’s a good thing. It would change their lives for the better. Certainly, we concur with the Owensboro Republican who sponsored the bill: “I don’t think there is another document in the history of our culture that has had more impact on our culture, our society or our values, than the Bible.” Teaching the Bible to kids undoubtedly will have a profound impact on the social morals and ethics of generations to come.

As a Christian parent, I believe the home and the church are the absolute best places to teach the Bible to our children and to promote a Christian worldview. Unfortunately, many citizens do not and may never attend church, or they are a part of other faith groups. We do not all share the same beliefs, nor the same values. Our nation is a multi-cultural society. And, should we decide as a people to allow the Bible to be taught in our public schools, then it matters how we answer these questions.