Poll: Students' biblical knowledge lacking

 

The Bible Literacy Project published results last week of a national Gallup survey that found American high school students are deficient in their academic knowledge of the Bible. Why is biblical knowledge important, if at all? Are children better off with such knowledge? Do you agree with the survey's results?

As we look toward the future, our youth represent the most important segment of our society. Children seek proper guidance and thrive with it. The Bible represents a moral code that serves as a guide for those seeking a life of morality and justice.

More importantly, it provides our children with a keen understanding of the importance of being kind and understanding of one another.

On Saturday, in synagogues across the world, we will be reading the biblical verse, "you shall love your fellow as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). The 1st century sage, Rabbi Hillel the Elder, stated that this verse is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary.

Furthermore, Judaism teaches us that love is the most important aspect of education. Proverbs 22:6 states that we must "educate a child according to his way so that even when he is old, he will not depart from it." When educating our youth, we must take the time to understand the needs of the student and to tailor our lessons to those specific needs. It is incumbent upon us to be patient, sensitive and loving of the student, for without these crucial elements, education becomes a hollow experience.

In conclusion, I feel that children are definitely better off with a comprehensive understanding of the Bible. However, it does not end there.

There is an equally important responsibility on society -- specifically parents and teachers -- to understand the needs of our youth and present the Bible in a way that it will be understood, respected and well received. This takes much patience, effort and, above all, love.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

Glendale

You asked three questions. First, "Why is biblical knowledge important?" Biblical knowledge is important because the Bible is a book about God. It is not a book about science, technology, paleontology, cosmology, sociology, history or even people. It is a book about God. As such, it reveals to us what God is like, how he feels, what he wants, values, appreciates and resists. (And after all, he owns the store.)

Your second question was, "Are children better off with such knowledge?" Of course they/we are. Life is often a kind of obstacle course, race, or even a fight. The Bible tells you how to interpret the events and crises of your life -- and how to win, overcome and learn. Life, without the Bible, is a guess. No reasonable architect would attempt to build a house on a series of guesses. The Bible is reliable. Nothing else is.

Third, "Do you agree with the survey's results?" Yes.

JOHN JENKINS

Retired pastor

First Southern Baptist Church

Glendale

Knowledge about biblical stories and themes is extremely important to all of us, for the many reasons cited by the polls and experts in academia. The Bible has influenced us throughout its history, for good or for ill, and each person should have a rudimentary understanding of the icons and the symbology, the personae and the situations that the Bible describes, so that we understand those images when they are repeated in contemporary culture.

On a more basic level, I think the Bible's images are part and parcel of the human life experience, and understanding the Bible leads to a greater understanding of ourselves. The Bible contains a set of archetypal images and themes, which represent common human experiences and yearnings: Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden standing for our human need to individuate our lives from that of our parents; the order of creation, and the commands from God to the first human being, representing our unarticulated belief in the superiority of humanity over the animal world; the Exodus from Egypt representing our need to be free; and the parables of Jesus that reflect the potential goodness that can emanate from each of us.

All of these stories tell us who we are, and I believe it is important to share this knowledge with all students, and all people.

RABBI JONATHAN BIATCH

Temple Sinai of Glendale

Glendale

This recent survey concurs with the 2000 Gallup research that showed, among other hilarious findings, that 12% of Americans believe Noah's wife was Joan of Arc.

Adults aren't very biblically knowledgeable either. Obviously, many schooled in this country, in which huge percentages claim a belief in Christianity, don't have much knowledge of the Bible.

I agree with the authors of the research who feel those who don't know the Bible stories miss out on a lot of references in literature and make English teachers' jobs harder. There is a bit of hypocrisy in the public release of the survey results. The Bible Literacy Project, which conducted the survey, has a new textbook for the academic study of the Bible coming out this fall, and this survey looks like publicity to me.

High school students and adults would also benefit from education on the Koran, Bhagavad Gita, the philosophy of Confucius, and other sacred texts. Anything that adds to understanding of other cultures and beliefs will help bring about a better world. Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" series offers a wonderful overview of "morality" stories from many varied cultures. His organization illustrates the commonality among so many traditions giving an understanding of how much we share with other people. I think that promotes tolerance in the world and may even lead to more peaceful relations between those of different religions.

I recall reading of another recent survey in Europe and the USA that showed Americans have much less knowledge of the Bible than Europeans, while the rates of belief are much higher here. In other words, the more you know about the Bible, the less likely you are to be a believer. The Bible Literacy Project probably expects an increase in Bible knowledge to lead to an increase in followers. It just might be the opposite!

SHARON WEISMAN

Atheist

Glendale

I am not surprised that many public high school students are deficient in their knowledge of the Bible. If they do not get Bible instruction at home or in their churches, or if they do not study the Bible on their own, they are logically going to be deficient. They certainly should not receive instruction in the Bible in their public school classrooms. This would be a clear violation of the principle of separation of church and state.

It seems to me that we all ought to be less concerned about biblical issues in our public schools and a lot more concerned about the ever-growing number of students who are deficient in mathematics, sciences, languages and the arts.

There are many reasonable places for Bible instruction -- but a public school classroom is not one of them. If it should ever come to the place where the Bible is taught along with math, science and languages in our public schools, then our society will have gone to hell in a handbasket. Our society will have moved toward becoming a Judaic-Christian theocracy. Let's pray that day never comes.

THOMAS E. WITHERSPOON

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta

The Bible is the most important and influential piece of literature ever written.

Christians believe the Bible is "able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." It is "inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:15-16) and thus accurate and authoritative in everything it addresses.

The Bible's moral principles and stories have been embraced by people of every imaginable ethnicity and language. They have positively influenced the customs, cultures, morals and even legal systems of nations around the world. The Bible has elevated man wherever it has been believed and applied.

The Bible is important for the academic as well as the moral education of children. Gallup's survey found that most American teenagers are deficient in Bible knowledge. But it also found that 98% of the English teachers surveyed believe knowledge of the Bible gives students a marked educational advantage.

The Bible's primary message is simple and universal. There is a God. Although we've all offended him and harmed others because of our own sin, he still loves us. He sent his son Jesus Christ to fully pay the penalty for our sins. In the Bible, he asks us all to believe him and trust that he will make us people who honor him and love others.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank

Ever wonder why "Lord of the Rings" was so popular? Or "Star Wars"? Next week, its last episode will be released -- bringing together three decades of viewers who applaud the victory of good over evil. Well, the Bible has a powerful punch line too. Unfortunately, it gets some bad press because readers choose different scenes to accent, or leave at intermission rather than follow the entire story.

Knowledge of the Bible is necessary to consider any education rounded. A general knowledge of all books that bring people to faith is a must for students, especially to live and function in this global village.

The Bible is the sacred scripture of an institution -- the church -- which during the early Christian centuries compiled many books into the form we have today. The Bible did not fall from heaven all leather-bound with red-colored type. In the Armenian Church, it is referred to as the "Breath of God." It is understood in its entirety (not segmented) as a book that offers a glimpse of God's love for humanity. In other words, it is tied to the institution, which is contrary to popular understanding.

I'm not really sure the Bible can be taught devoid of faith expressions. But that hasn't stopped us from teaching other literature. After all, students read Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables" and a healthy discussion of the virtues of kindness, tolerance and suffering ensues. The Bible in its complete form can give students an opportunity to understand concepts of care and hope, of faith and courage, of justice and freedom. Most importantly, it can and should reflect the strength of love in the face of evil and all adversity.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries

Glendale

The Bible Literacy Project is probably right when it says our young people don't know much about the Scriptures.

And our young people are the poorer because of that. So much of Western culture is based on Biblical things and ideas. For example, the whole idea of there being only one God comes from the Hebraic Scriptures, or what Christians refer to as the Old Testament. How about the hope for peace in the world? Isaiah 2:4, written about 700 B.C. E., talks of beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. How about the idea of unjust suffering? The book of Job wrestles with that one.

The story of David slaying Goliath is a wonderful example of an underdog getting the best of the haughty and arrogant. From the New Testament comes the phrase, "O ye of little faith." How many times have we used that line and not even been aware of the source? (It's Jesus, expressing what appears to be irritation at his disciples' lack of trust.) Saint Paul talks about the love of money being the root of all evil. (Note that it's the love of money, not money itself.) I'm not trying to be the "Bible Answer Man," but those are a few examples of the riches that have come to us through the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Bible is part of that tradition, and our lack of knowledge of it diminishes us as well as our young people.

THE REV. SKIP LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Cañada Flintridge