FAMILY
We believe that the family is the basic governmental, social and spiritual unit designed and created by God (Col. 3:18-21). The family, as God designed it, is to provide protection and guidance in a child’s life under God’s authority (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17; Eph. 6:1-4).
We define “family” to mean a married male and female parent, with one or more children under their care and training (Gen. 1:27-28; Gen. 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). We recognize the exceptions of a single parent, grand parents raising children, adopted children, and foster children. (James 1:27).
Therefore, we reject same sex marriage because that lifestyle runs contrary to Scripture and the stated intention of God in creation, and we believe that such relationships are destructive to children and God’s design for the family (Rom. 1:18-32). We recognize transitory and co-habitational relationships as being equally in violation of God’s law, incapable of providing the long term nurture and instruction needed by children (Eph. 5:3; Col:3:5; I Thes. 4:3; Heb. 13:4).
PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN EDUCATION
We believe that the ultimate responsibility for education of children belongs to the parent (Deut. 6:4-7). We believe this responsibility is given by God, which the state can neither create, destroy, nor alter. We also believe parents may allow another to teach some information that children need to know, but all education must be under the control and supervision of the parent.
We believe education in the home to be the best form of education, but we recognize that some parents cannot educate at home for valid reasons. We recognize the right of parents to send their children to the type of formal education of their choice.
NATURE OF EDUCATION
We believe that one’s world view is foundational to his teaching. Every discipline of knowledge, such as mathematics, science, or history, will have as its foundation either a theistic or humanistic world view , leaving no neutral academic discipline (Prov. 2:1-11; Col. 2:8-10).
Therefore, we believe that all social, physical and cognitive knowledge should have as its beginning the fear of God, and as its end the glory and honor of God and His design (Prov. 1:7; Rom. 1:18-20; Rom. 11:33-36; Hebrews 11:3, 6).
SOME ADDITONAL TENETS OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
We affirm these additional tenets of Christian theology:
- The Bible is the only inspired and infallible, authoritative Word of God, inerrant in the autographs (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
- God is a divine being who eternally exists as three persons ( Father, Son, Holy Spirit), all of these persons being equal in power and glory (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
- Jesus Christ is fully God and fully Man (John 1:1-4, 14), born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18-23), sinless in His life (Heb. 4:15), He died for our sins (I Peter 3:18), rose bodily from the grave (Matt. 28:5-7), and He will return visibly from heaven in both salvation and judgment (Acts 1:11; Heb. 9:28; Matt. 24:29-31; 2 Thes. 1:6-10; Matt. 25:31-46).
- All have sinned and can only be forgiven through faith in Christ as Savior (Rom. 3:23, 5:12ff; Eph. 2:8; Gal. 3:24-29; Acts 4:12).
- We believe that when one truly trusts in Christ there will be evident spiritual fruit and maturity (John 15:5; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Peter 4:1-2).
- We believe judgment awaits those who willfully reject God’s salvation offered in Christ (Rev. 20:14-15; John 3:18; Rom. 2:5-9).
- We also believe God promises eternal life to those who trust Christ (John 3:16; 5:24) and who obey His revealed word (John 15:10; Heb. 5:8-9; I Peter 1:1-2).