Bible teaching in public schools ... is it even worth attempting?

I think expecting public schools to be tools of evangelism is inappropriate. But to not study the Bible? At all? Just leave out “the sublime summit of literature in English,”? ( to quote Harold Bloom. )

Patently silly.

I would prefer not to see the Bible taught from a doctrinal perspective but I could see value in using it for history. If I were public schooling my children I would be concerned that what they were learning would be unbiblical. I remember Machen proposed something like a time where children could leave school and go home for Bible instruction. To me it makes sense to leave it out and the parents could do it at home.

Josh,

It goes back to one of the most basic problems with public education. Parents have completely lost control over a huge portion of the children’s upbringing. Biblically and constitutionally, we ought to kill public education all-together and go back to family choice.

Chip, Having public schooled our kids for several years I would have to agree. I lament the fact that at least in our area there are no Christian public schools that I would even consider sending my kids to. I would rather send them to public school where there is at least a clear line of demarcation between Christianity and the world. If the public school system was dismantled I believe that at least some decent private schools would spring up.

What’s wrong with homeschooling rather than using a pagan public system at all?

Nothing. We homeschool. I just think that a good quality private school would also be a nice option.

[josh p]

Nothing. We homeschool. I just think that a good quality private school would also be a nice option.