There's been a lot of talk recently about certain states wanting to introduce the Bible into school cirriculums. I grew up in Oklahoma, and the state superintendent of schools has decreed that Bibles (originally the New King James Bible, endorsed by none other than the current President-Election and also including the Constitution and Declaration of Independence) be placed in classrooms and instruction be offered about said Bibles. This has caused a lot of angst amongst those in our increasingly post-Christendom world because of the demand for separation of church and state; it's also brought angst amongst even many Christians because what happens if little Timmy is told by his atheist teacher that everything in the Bible is just a pious fairy tale?
I've never taught in schools and have no idea how to organize a cirriculum program, but as one who has two graduate degrees in religion as well as almost 30 years of church ministry, I thought I'd take a shot in putting together a discussion guide for schools about various topics on a middle-to-high school level. It's not all-inclusive, of course, but there's a few Biblical items that demand discussion and I'm certain wouldn't cause any problem for my more conservative friends.
Wealth and Prosperity.
-Jesus of Nazareth tells a rich man to sell all he has and give to the poor (cf. Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22, Matthew 19:21). Questions for class discussion: If we think of ourselves as a Christian nation, how best do we enact this as government policy? What is the proper upper wage to begin mandatory enforcement of this Biblical rule?
Foreigners
-The laws of the Old Testament continually speak of the need to love the sojourners (foreigners). They must not be oppressed (Exodus 22:21), they must be loved (Deuteronomy 10:19), and as workers they must be fairly treated (Deuteronomy 24:14). Questions for class discussion: How do we properly respond to political leaders who call all sojourners amongst us 'vermin', demand their deportation, and spread rumors about how they eat common house pets?
Divorce
-Marriage and divorce are common social problems today, and were known by Jesus and his disciples. Jesus was very strict about divoce, going so far as to say that to divorce a spouse and remarry is adultery (cf. Mark 10:11-12). Questions for class discussion: What should we do with political leaders who have broken these commands? Would it be possible to remove them from public office, especially if they have broken these commands multiple times?
Sexual Assault (for high school honors classes only!)
-Deuteronomy 22:25-29 speaks to two instances of sexual assault; one outcome has the rapist put to death, while the other has the rapist responsible for the financial and social well-being of his victim the rest of his life. Questions for class discussion: Given that many of our national leaders have been proven in court or in ethics investigations to be pedophiles, guilty of sexual assault, or simply horrible past behavior, how best should we follow clear Biblical teaching about them? Should we kill them publicly as an example of our righteousness? Or should it be more privately done to reduce their families' guilt? Give clear reasoning for your answer.
------
I have no doubt that the God-honoring, Bible thumping conservatives in our country will be all in favor of my cirriculum, so once it begins being implemented I'll work on the other topics. But for now this should keep everyone busy...
