Through its public initiatives program, the Society of Biblical Literature seeks to connect biblical scholarship with non-academic audiences that have an interest in biblical studies. In particular, the public lecture series, Engaging the Bible reaches out to clergy, and The Bible in Public Schools reaches out to high school teachers and administrators.
With The Bible in Public Schools the SBL consults with American public school administrators and teachers as they consider offering Bible electives. The SBL will provide training and teaching resources, as well as lesson plans. A guide for schools and communities considering bible electives is in progress.
Teaching Standards and Curriculum Design
Standards for Florida Bible Courses
Standards for Georgia Bible Courses
Syllabi Collection Project: We are starting a collection of syllabi for courses in biblical study at all levels. Although most of the syllabi in the collection are for college level classes, we also encourage submissions of good examples of high school level syllabi.
Textbook Reviews and Information
"Review of the Bible in History and Literature", Religion & Education 34.3 (Fall 2007)
Steven McKenzie’s review of the Bible and Its Influence (date?)
“Bible Bills, Bible Curricula, and Controversies of Biblical Proportions: Legislative Efforts to Promote Bible Courses,” Religion & Education 34 (2007): 28-47.
Luke Timothy Johnson review of The Bible and Its Influence
“A Bible Curriculum for Public Schools,” Christian Century, Feb. 21, 2006, 31-37.
Reading, Writing & Religion: Teaching the Bible in Texas Public Schools
Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in teaching Bible courses in public schools, especially in Texas. This report was authored by SBL member Mark A. Chancey, Professor of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University. The report is based on documents from twenty-five school districts in Texas that acknowledged teaching the Bible course during the 2005-2006 academic year. (The pdf is 92 pages and 2 MB)
The Bible and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide
SBL has worked with The Bible Literacy Project and the First Amendment Center to provide a written framework for discussion of the issue of teaching Bible in public schools while adhering to the first amendment to the Constitution. (The pdf is 20 pages and 1.84 MB)
New International Guidelines for Teaching Religion in Public Schools
A commentary on the guidelines by Charles C. Haynes of the First Amendment Center:
To Advance Religious Freedom, Teach About Religion
Bible Electives in the News
Bible valid as an Academic Subject by Kent Richards, Atlanta Journal Constitution,
“Bibles in the Classroom? It’s OK, but be sure to teach, not preach” by Michael D. Simpson, NEA Today February 2008
“Alabama Picks a Bible Textbook” by David Van Biema, Time Magazine
"The Case for Teaching the Bible” by David Van Biema, cover article for Time Magazine, March 22, 2007.
First Amendment Center article by Charles Haynes, “Playing politics with the Bible: Coming to a school near you?” April 16, 2006
Mark Chancey, “Bible Courses in Public Schools: SBL’s Response to a Growing Trend”
Leonard Greenspoon, “Bible Literacy Polls” SBL Forum,
David Levenson, “University Religion Departments and Teaching about the Bible in Public High Schools: a Report from Florida” SBL Forum (date)
SBL Working Group on the Bible and Public Education:
If you'd like to help, or if you have news about events in your area to convey to the working group, please contact one of the members below:
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Members of the Working Group:
Mark A. Chancey, co-convener
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Southern Methodist University
Carleen R. Mandolfo, co-convener
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Colby College
Richard Layton
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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David Levenson
Associate Professor of Religion
Florida State University
Moira Bucciarelli
Public Initiatives Coordinator
Society of Biblical Literature
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Links to recent court cases
1999 Opinion by Georgia Attorney General’s Office on the NCBCPS teacher text
“District to Settle Bible Suit” by Neela Banerjee, New York Times, March 6, 2008
Moreno v. Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees - Complaint (5/16/2007)
Contact us:
If you are an SBL member and would like to get involved in our public outreach efforts, or if you have additions to the links on this page, please contact:
Moira Bucciarelli.