A Book for the Ages by Sarah

A Book for the Ages by Sarah - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

I believe that high school students should read the Bible for several different reasons. I understand that public high schools cannot teach it from a religious perspective but there are other reasons to read the Bible. I believe that it is important for high school students to have an understanding of different faiths and believe that original sources are the best material to learn about them. The Bible is the best source to understanding two of the world’s major religions, Christianity and Judaism. As someone who has studied the Bible and used textbooks to learn about the Bible, nothing speaks to the character and nature of Christianity the way the Bible does. It allows students to hear from the historical persons themselves.

The Bible also presents a wide range of genres of literature from poetry to biography. The books of the Bible focus on specific events and individuals and are written over a time span of several thousand years. Despite the large time period over which it was written, the Bible shows amazing continuity in its message and detail, and expresses an amazing story that spans Genesis through Revelation. In addition, the literature itself gives a unique insight in to ancient Hebraic culture. Students are often encouraged to read writings from other cultures and time periods. The Bible is the only book we have that gives insight into the Jewish people over such a long period of time, and because it is written by Jews, demonstrates their culture in a far deeper way than does a current history book about them. While it is a book written predominantly by the Jewish people, the Bible, Christianity, and Judaism have played such a large role in western culture and it seems like a significant gap in a student’s education for them to not have some understanding of the Bible.

While many books have been written about Jesus Christ, the Bible contains unique biographies of Him. The Gospels were written by those who knew Him and who were eyewitnesses to His life and ministry. Jesus is one of the most significant figures in history. His life has had a greater impact on history then anyone else, and it is important for students to have an understanding of Him and His teachings. Overlooking the Bible as an important piece of literature presents a major gap in a person’s education.