In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sat in a frigid jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama. Outside, the nation burned with division, unrest, and injustice. He had no legal defense, no allies beside him, and no certainty about the future.
But he had one thing: the Word of God in his heart.
In his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King repeatedly quoted Scripture, grounding his case for justice not in opinion but in the moral authority of God’s Word. He quoted or alluded to more than 50 biblical passages, drawing on his extensive knowledge of Scripture from memory.
Now, imagine a public-school classroom where students study Dr. King’s words but are not allowed to read the book that inspired them.
This illustrates the hypocrisy we face. American schools are expected to teach and uphold justice, yet they actively undermine the foundation of King’s moral argument.
However, the larger issue is that research indicates that keeping the Bible out of schools negatively impacts students.
The Bible’s Proven Power to Change Lives
Research from the Center for Bible Engagement’s Power of 4 study, which examined over 400,000 people, found that casual Bible reading doesn’t change lives. But engaging with Scripture four times a week or more does.
Those who did saw significant improvements in mental health, decision-making, and moral behavior — including lower levels of loneliness, anger, substance abuse, and pornography use.
While the study analyzed individuals of all ages, its findings suggest that younger people — who are increasingly grappling with depression, anxiety, and identity confusion — would likely experience similar benefits.
The research found that individuals who engage with the Bible regularly experience 30% less loneliness, 32% fewer anger issues, and a 60% decrease in feelings of spiritual emptiness. Additionally, pornography use declined by 62%, substance abuse by 57%, and gambling by 74%, while participation in faith-sharing increased by 228%.
If a secular program yielded these results, every school in America would adopt it. However, since it’s the Bible, they are compelled to ignore its benefits.
And here’s the key takeaway: engaging with Scripture four times a week isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. Anything less, and people see no measurable difference compared to those who never read the Bible.
So, why are American schools being asked to restrict access to a book that has demonstrated its ability to transform lives?
Oklahoma: A National Tipping Point
The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently issued a temporary stay on the state superintendent’s directive to place Bibles in public schools. This means the directive is on hold but has not been canceled — the legal battle is still ongoing.
Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) for more than 16 years and now leads the Center for Innovative Training, Truth That Matters, as Executive Director. In addition to his role at SES, Dr. Cutchins serves as Teaching Pastor and Multi-Site Specialist at Upstate Church in South Carolina, recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of the top 10 fastest-growing churches in the nation. Dr. Cutchins has coached leaders nationwide through the North American Mission Board and is a sought-after speaker for churches, conferences, and events nationwide. As the founder of The Cutchins Institute, LLC, he leads a team specializing in executive coaching, consulting, and counseling services. An accomplished author, Dr. Cutchins has written and contributed to several books, including works published by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
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Jesus Christ is King
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