Texas Wants Kids to Read the Bible. But That's Not Enough.
TL;DR: While reading the Bible in Texas schools is a well-intentioned idea, presenting it merely as literature without its core Gospel message risks inoculating students against its true, life-changing power.
As a Christian dad, a software developer building a Bible AI, and someone who leads a small group in my home, the news out of Texas this week should have made me cheer. But honestly, my first reaction was concern.
The story, reported by the Texas Tribune, is that the Texas State Board of Education is on the verge of approving a list of Bible passages for mandatory reading in public schools. On the surface, what's not to like? More Bible in the world is a good thing, right?
The problem isn't the reading. The problem is reading the Bible as just another book. Stripping Scripture of its context, its author, and its ultimate message—the person and work of Jesus Christ—doesn't just neutralize it. It fundamentally misrepresents it.
What's on the reading list?
According to the proposal being considered, the list is designed to improve what advocates call "cultural literacy." The selections focus on passages with historical, literary, or moral significance. While the final list is still being debated, the passages reportedly under consideration are exactly what you might expect.
Passage Category · Examples Under Consideration
Creation & Origin · Genesis 1-2 (The Creation Story)
Law & Morality · Exodus 20 (The Ten Commandments)
Wisdom & Poetry · Psalm 23, Proverbs 1
Narrative & History · The story of David and Goliath, the story of Moses
New Testament Teaching · Matthew 5-7 (The Sermon on the Mount), Luke 10 (Parable of the Good Samaritan)
These are powerful, foundational texts. My kids know these stories. We talk about them at the dinner table. But we talk about them as part of a much bigger story: God's rescue plan for humanity.
Reading about David and Goliath without understanding that David is a flawed picture of the true and better King, Jesus, turns it into a simple underdog story. Reading the Sermon on the Mount as a set of aspirational ethics without the gospel—that we all fail to meet this standard and need a Savior—crushes you with moral burden, it doesn't free you.
This approach turns the Bible into a collection of moral fables and epic poems instead of what it is: the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. Its purpose isn't just to make us good citizens. Its purpose is to make dead people alive in Christ.
The Apostle Paul makes this purpose clear.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, KJV)
Doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness. These are not the goals of a secular literature class. This is the work of discipleship.
The strongest counter-argument
I know what many Christians are thinking, because I thought it myself for a moment. "Come on, man. Isn't some exposure better than none? God's Word doesn't return void. Maybe this will plant a seed!"
I believe that with all my heart. God can, and does, use anything to draw people to Himself. But we are still called to be wise and faithful stewards of His Word. Our goal should not be mere exposure, but clear proclamation.
Presenting the Bible as a text that is owned by no single religion but has influenced many might sound inclusive, but it’s a theological error. The Bible has a specific author—God—and a specific subject—Jesus. Teaching it as anything less can inoculate a student against its true power. They might walk away from 12 years of public school having "done" the Bible and concluded it was a boring collection of old rules and stories, completely missing the life-altering message of the cross.
This is a risk we have to take seriously. A little knowledge, presented poorly, can be a dangerous thing.
The state can't do the church's job
This whole situation in Texas reveals a truth we can't ignore: the government cannot and should not be the primary disciple-maker of our children. That awesome, terrifying, and joyful responsibility belongs to us. To parents. To the local church.
A public school teacher, however well-intentioned, is not equipped or permitted to explain that the Ten Commandments show us our sin and our need for a Savior. They can't explain that the sacrificial system in the Old Testament points forward to the final, perfect sacrifice of Jesus.
That's our job. It's the conversation over breakfast. It's the prayer at bedtime. It's the community we find in our small groups and Sunday services. It's wrestling with the hard questions together.
As someone who builds technology for Christians, I think about this constantly. Tools can help. At FaithGPT, our whole mission is to provide an AI companion that helps you study Scripture and pray. If you're a parent trying to answer your kid's tough question about Genesis, or you want to understand the original context of a proverb, a tool like FaithGPT can be an incredible asset, helping you explore the depths of Scripture with confidence. It can even help you get a better handle on the original biblical languages without needing a seminary degree.
But a tool is just a tool. AI is not a pastor. A reading list is not a discipleship plan. And a school board is not the church.
So while the debate rages in Texas, let's not get distracted. Let's thank God for the freedom to have this conversation and then get back to the real work He has given us.
The state can't make disciples; it can only make a reading list.
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