inspiration. And, he stated, “A just law is a man-made code
that squares with the moral law or the law of God.”
To properly understand King’s motivation and reasoning,
students need to understand how his Christian faith shaped
his ideas and actions.
In another example of learning about Christians who
were motivated by their faith, California high school
students studying World War II are expected to “discuss the
moral courage of Christians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer
and Raoul Wallenberg, who risked their lives to save Jews.”
Pennsylvania’s academic standard for sixth grade expects
students to: “Identify and explain how individuals and
groups made significant political and cultural contributions
to world history.” And includes as examples: “Pope Leo X,
John Calvin, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Ignatius of Loyola.”
Patriotic and Civics Lessons
State standards commonly include expectations that
students will learn what the Pledge of Allegiance means.
Many educators do not do this. However, doing so would
provide students with a solid civics lesson on key aspects of
American culture and values.
Teachers can easily help students understand the phrase
“one nation under God” as a reflection of one of America’s
core values, as expressed in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence—that our rights ultimately come from God and not
the government.
Other aspects of American culture include patriotic songs
that reference God. For example, the District of Columbia
expects students to: “Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and
national songs (e.g., ‘America the Beautiful,’ ‘My Country,
’Tis of Thee,’ ‘God Bless America,’ ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’
and ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’) and explain the general
ideas expressed in the lyrics.”
States also expect students to learn civics lessons that
include references to America’s Judeo-Christian roots. For
example, Florida expects fifth-grade students to: “Explain
the definition and origin of rights. Examples are John
Locke’s ‘state of nature’ philosophy, natural rights: rights to
life, liberty, property…”
As an example of John Locke’s biblical thinking, in the
late 17th century he wrote: “The state of Nature has a law
of Nature to govern it, which obliges everyone, and reason,
which is that law, teaches all mankind who will but consult it,
that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm
another in his life, health, liberty or possessions; for men
being all the workmanship of one omnipotent and infinitely
wise Maker; all the servants of one sovereign Master, sent
into the world by His order and about His business; they
are His property, whose workmanship they are made to last
during His, not one another’s pleasure.”
Common Core Standards
Setting aside the debate about whether the Common Core
Standards are good or bad for American education, its
English/Language Arts standards recognize the importance
of Bible literacy. The standards reference the Bible four times,
and we have indicated those for each state. It is referenced
in writing standards and reading standards for eighth, ninth,
and tenth grades: “Analyze how a modern work of fiction
draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types
from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as
the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered
new.” “Analyze how an author draws on and transforms
source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare
treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later
author draws on a play by Shakespeare).”
To date, Common Core has not addressed Social Studies
standards. It is yet to be seen how much the Bible, Christi-
anity, and the Judeo-Christian heritage will be included in
Common Core Social Studies standards.
Conclusion
State academic standards provide ample opportunity to
teach about the influence of the Bible and Christianity.
However, because of misinformation, lack of information
or fear, educators in too many cases have engaged in self-
censorship. Educators can be confident in teaching about the
Bible and Christianity. It is academically expected, legally
supported, and appropriate for helping students of all faiths
and no faith understand the culture in which they live.
This article was adapted from The Bible in State Academic Standards
published by Gateways to Better Education. To download the report visit
GoGateways.com/report.
Eric Buehrer is a former public school teacher and now a
licensed minister and founder/president of Gateways to Better
Education. He writes and lectures extensively on the subject of
religion and public education. His books and materials have
been endorsed by Dr. D. James Kennedy, Rabbi Daniel Lapin,
and Josh McDowell.
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