Christian education is a partnership between parents and the community based on the unchanging Word of God. The Bible is our guiding document that provides the us with the instructions we live by as followers of Jesus Christ. Unity in our partnership is an essential part of being consistent and effective in our mission to educate students in a Christ-centered community. Below is our statement of faith and social positions; written to help you understand what we believe and therefore teach.
Statement of Faith
Truth of Scripture
As we address all issues of life, we believe that the Bible has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. We believe that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament, is the infallible Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and without error in the original manuscripts (2 Peter 1:21). Because the Bible is true and the standard of truth, it is good and the standard of moral goodness (Psalm 19:7-11).
Family Structure
We believe that marriage is a covenantal relationship between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5). We believe that God created man and woman equally in His image, importance, and value, and in God’s love and wisdom, they were given unique and complementary roles in marriage as a picture of Christ and the Church (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:22-31). We believe that God has given the primary responsibility of discipling and teaching children to parents (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 78:1-7). The Church and Christian schools exist to come alongside parents in this journey to equip, strengthen, confirm, and reinforce biblical teaching at home.
Sexual Purity
We believe that any sexual activity outside of the marriage bond is sin (Hebrews 13:4). Furthermore, because marriage is a covenantal relationship between one man and one woman, any sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship is defined by the Bible as fornication (Matthew 19:4-5). Fornication is sin. We believe that any form of sexual immorality that deviates from the biblical standard, such as adultery, pornography, homosexual behavior, premarital sex, bisexual conduct, bestiality, any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 13, 18-19; Exodus 20:13; Matthew 15:19; Romans 1:26-27).
Sanctity of Life
We believe that life is a gift from God and is precious. We believe that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 44:2a; Isaiah 49:5a) and each person’s days are numbered by God (Psalm 139:16; James 4:13-15).
Bullying
We believe that all humans are created in the image of God and therefore each individual is highly valuable. As a result, God expects all people to be treated with respect and honor. We are called to love and encourage one another as we strive for unity (Mark 12:29-31; I John 4:19-20; Ephesians 4:1-3). This means that all bullying, whether it is physical, verbal, cyber, written, or relational is sin.
Biblical View of Gender
We believe that God created individuals uniquely male and female. Based on that Biblical view of gender, students are required to wear clothing consistent with their biological sex. Students are also required to use bathrooms, locker rooms, and pronouns that are consistent with their biological sex. To the extent that a student participates in extra-curricular activities, the student’s participation will be consistent with his or her biological sex. Any attempt to change one’s biological sex or outward expressions that are in disagreement with one’s biological sex is considered to be a violation of the Academy’s conduct expectations. These expectations apply to a student’s behavior regarding him or herself, as well as a student’s behavior toward other students.
Read more about our social positions
All of our behaviors (our thoughts, our words, and our deeds) that are not consistent with the nature and character of God and His Word are sin. When we sin, we need to repent and ask for forgiveness. The Good News is that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). As Christians, we are called to live like Jesus to the glory of God; “Whoever claims to believe in Him must walk as Jesus did” (I John 2:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Isaiah 43:7).
New Life Academy, with the help of the Holy Spirit, seeks to walk in the truth of God’s Word, the Bible. We desire to live like Jesus Christ who was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). We believe that God, in His mercy, spares us from what we deserve, and in His grace He blesses us with what we do not deserve. We know that all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23) and as a result are in need of God’s forgiveness. Furthermore, we believe that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross completely paid for our sins, and His resurrection from the dead proved His victory over sin and death (I Corinthians 15:55-58; Romans 3:21-26). We also believe that since Christians have not only been assured of forgiveness, but are dead to sin, we should not continue in sin so God can keep forgiving us. We who have died to sin should live in it no longer (Romans 6:1-2). Rather, because of God’s great love in sending Jesus to die for us, we ought to live for Him (Romans 5:8). We have been set free from a life of sin. We are no longer slaves to sin, and we are called to not make a practice of sinning (Romans 6:12-13; Galatians 5:1).
It is our belief that many in the world today would seek to exchange the truth of God for a lie (II Timothy 4:2-4). We need to be on guard to live in a way that is different from the world. Rather than being conformed to this world, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:1-2). Our mind is renewed when we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and live according to God’s Word, the Bible.
When we sin, we are called to ask for forgiveness (I John 1:9). We are called to repent (turn away) from our sins and no longer walk in them (Acts 3:19). We are called to live holy lives because He is holy (I Peter 1:14-16). Therefore, because God’s great love for us was demonstrated by Jesus when He died for us on the cross (Romans 5:8), we are called to live holy lives for Him (I Peter 2:24).
For these reasons, we would like to bring clarity regarding several controversial social issues of today. In doing so, we are not saying that these issues, or the sins involved in them, are bigger or worse than any other sins or issues. Sin is sin; and we are called to reject all sin. We specifically address these issues because modern society has both confused and, in some cases, deliberately and intentionally misrepresented what Scripture says regarding these behaviors. Some even suggest we go against God’s Word and not call certain behaviors sinful. It is important that we understand sin because we cannot fully understand God’s mercy, grace, and our need for salvation until we first understand our sinful condition.
Social Positions