Baptist Press posted a disturbing story on Aug. 22 about the Bible being temporarily removed from school libraries in Keller, Texas. See story at baptistandreflector.org.
The Keller school district was quick to respond to an inquiry from Baptist Press. “Books that have been challenged by community members as being inappropriate for schools are required to be removed from shelves and held in a Parental Consent Area until the challenge process is complete,” said superintendent Rick Westfall. “Previously challenged books are also being moved to a Parental Consent Area to determine if those books meet the new standards in the policy and the guidelines that will soon be considered by the Board.”
Last year, “any variation” of the Bible was on a list of books that garnered at least one complaint by a parent or community member, according to the BP report. Though the individual who originally objected withdrew the complaint, two other people objected this year.
While the school district told Baptist Press that the Bible was “quickly determined to be appropriate,” the district recently adopted a policy that required previously challenged books to be removed to be reevaluted.
The bottom line is this: The greatest book in the history of the world is not currently on the shelves of school libraries In Keller, Texas. It is waiting to be affirmed once more.
We are not talking about communist countries or nations where Muslims, Hindus or other religions rule. We are talking about the United States of America, a country that was birthed on a number of time-honored principles, including freedom of religion.
Former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is one who had high regard for God’s Holy Word. He once said, “But for this book, we could not know right from wrong.”
He also observed “I believe the Bible is the best book God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”
More recently, Ronald Reagan once noted, “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”
Of course, if you want the best reason the Bible is important, just read it for yourself. Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
I think one reason there are some folks in our country who would be happy to see the Bible removed from circulation is that the Bible pricks the heart.
Some people don’t want others to read the Bible because the Holy Spirit might just change someone’s mind so they will choose right from wrong. Hebrews 4:12 says it well, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Many people, including some Christians, will argue that what has happened in Keller, Texas, is a one-time occurrence — and that sooner or later the Bible will be back on the shelves. And, that will no doubt be the case — this time. But, we must not delude ourselves. Attempts to remove the Bible in our country will only increase as the world grows darker.
That brings us back to the basic question: Is what happened in Keller, Texas, a glitch or a preview of things to come? We better treat it as a preview and prepare for the worst.
What can we do? Pray, pray and pray some more that God will raise up leaders with the courage and wisdom to wrestle our nation away from those within who seek to destroy. What better way to destroy a nation than to take away the only Book that is based on truth?
In the meantime, memorize Scripture. It works better if it’s in your heart instead of on a shelf. More people are likely to see God’s Word if we live it. B&R