NBC 13.com, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, AL
The Bible As Literature Course in High Schools
By Linda White
Reporter
Published: October 21, 2008
Teacher told class, "I can beat this guy myself, and of course they
look down on him because he's just a boy."
When modern-day literature refers to a David and Goliath like battle
- the reference is taken from here - the Bible.
Teacher told class, "They did just keep both of those beginning
points intact."
Welcome to the "Bible as Literature" course at Mortimer Jordan High
School.
English Teacher, Joseph Turner, said, "The Bible has influenced more
of our culture than say Shakespeare has."
This pilot class was approved by the State Board of Education. "The
Bible and Its Influence" is the textbook, but students also bring
their own bibles to class.
Turner
said to class, "Ok. What is odd about this?"
Just like a government or history class covering today's politics,
students are encouraged to express their points of view.
Turner said, "It doesn't have to be taught as a devotional class. As
a matter of fact, it's a lot more rigorous from a historical
background and from a literary background."
This class includes pop quizzes and tests on historical backgrounds,
dates and empires. It's not an easy 'A'. As for any critics and or
naysayers of the Bible being taught in a public school - this is
Turner's answer.
Turner said, "We're not fighting over denominational issues, we're
not fighting over whether God is real, such as that, it's purely an
academic pursuit."
Turner hopes these Mortimer Jordan students, will actually take what
they've learn in this "Bible As Literature" course into the ACT test
as well as into college to master other works of literature.
The State Board of Education may give school districts another
option for a 'Bible As Literature' textbook. The board will discuss
it at a work session this Thursday in Montgomery.
Turner
said to class, "Ok. What is odd about this?"