The monetary gift from the non-profit Bible in the Schools to Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga is part of a unique partnership that allows the district to teach viewpoint-neutral Bible courses examining Scripture from a historical, non-sectarian perspective. Although the program likely would stir controversy in certain parts of the U.S., it has a long history in Hamilton County. The partnership between Bible in the Schools and the country began in 1922.
More than 4,600 students in 29 public schools took a Bible elective course during the previous academic year. It was a record enrollment for the courses.
Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, said it was an “honor to once again accept the gift” on behalf of the school district.
The classes are designed to pass constitutional scrutiny, and no tax dollars are involved. The school district hires the teachers, who must have at least 12 credit hours of Bible content from an accredited college or university.
Five classes are offered for grades six through 12. They are: Genesis, Exodus, the Life of Jesus, Old Testament Bible history, and New Testament Bible history.
Other school districts, too, could have a Bible history program, says the Bible in the Schools’ website.
The website says,“It is constitutionally permissible to teach Bible History from a historical or literature perspective.”