The Bible and Its Influence

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Bible and Its Influence is a textbook first published in 2005 to facilitate teaching about the Bible in American public high schools. Its publishers say the textbook allows schools to study the Bible academically while fully respecting the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The book is 392 pages, illustrated in color, and retails for $74.95 ($50 for schools). It is designed for teaching either a semester course or a full-year course on the literary and historical influence of the Bible. The Bible Literacy Project, the publisher of the textbook, also provides a Teacher's edition and online teacher training.

The Bible Literacy Project, of Front Royal, Virginia, was established by New York venture capitalist Chuck Stetson. The development took over five years, at a cost of $2 million, with contributions from 40 evangelical, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish and secular experts.

[edit] Use in Public Schools

As of April 2008, the Bible Literacy Project reports that the textbook has been adopted by 179 schools in 37 states. On Oct. 11, 2007, The Bible and Its Influence was designated by the Alabama State Board of Education as an approved textbook statewide. (See Bible Literacy Project Press Release) This designation allows schools throughout the state to purchase the curriculum with state funds.

[edit] Media Commentary

The Bible and Its Influence has received extensive press coverage. The cover story of TIME Magazine on April 2, 2007, was titled "The Case for Teaching The Bible" and described the rising trend in Bible courses in public schools nationwide. The TIME cover story, written by senior religion editor David Van Biema, stated that "[Public school Bible electives] should have a strong accompanying textbook on the model of The Bible and Its Influence, but one that is willing to deal a bit more bluntly with the historical warts."

In May 2007, the The Bible and Its Influence was also featured in Education Week and on NBC's Today show (May 15, 2007). The New York State School Boards Association's On Board magazine also had favorable coverage of The Bible and Its Influence, calling it "a remarkable textbook" in a July 31, 2006 review. (Full Text of Review)

[edit] External links