Biblical Literacy in Australian Schools

For those of you reading this on Steve’s Facebook Page, this was written by his blogging partner Scott.

http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/qed/2010/01/abbott-and-the-bible

The link to this article was emailed to me by an extreme right-wing Christian group whose perspectives I largely disagree with but I read for two reasons: simple curiosity about different worldviews (sometimes challenging my own worldview) and also to remain aware of some of the cultural currents that exist in the society I inhabit.

I disagree both with Terpstra’s dualistic politics and poor journalism (i.e. self-righteous subjectivity). But he is very insightful to point out one of the fundamental values of biblical literacy even in our increasingly atheistic society – that of history. The study of our own history – the history of humanity as a whole, of cultures, and of individual families – is the study of our own identity – of why our predecessors thought, felt and acted as they did, and indeed why we ourselves think, feel, and act as we do. The fact that Christianity and the Bible have featured so centrally in the history of western culture is central to our understanding of ourselves – even our understanding of our atheism, as atheism in our culture has only grown in reaction against our Christian heritage. I personally am not religiously or politically threatened by the growth of atheism in Australian society. What troubles me is the loss of culture and identity, which is occurring strikingly fast as our collective memory shortens; a product, I believe, of the increasing homogenisation of our society around dogmatic ideals of consumerism and constant economic growth.

I agree with Abbot, Terpstra, and many others who believe that biblical literacy should be taught in Australian Schools. This is not indoctrination (though I’m aware it will regrettably be taught as such in many schools), though neither does it need to be a cynical foil of our enlightened scientific reason (as it will also regrettably be taught as such in many schools, along with many other current elements of historical study). The bible is our history and our identity. Its pages reveal the thoughts and motivations behind much of the social and political architecture of western society, built over many centuries of changing society, politics, war, art, economics and technology. To disregard this; to even detest this, is the most despicable and destructive form of arrogant ignorance. We are not called to love our history. Nor are we called to perpetuate it. But if we hope to be generative, dynamic human beings we sure as hell better know and understand it.

Labels: Culture, Education

Posted by Scott @ 6:14 PM