The following is the foundation of beliefs on which Providence Classical Christian School is based. They are also the key elements of Christianity that will be unapologetically taught in various ways through all grade levels. The substance of these statements is that which will be considered primary doctrine in the school. Secondary or divisive doctrines and issues will not be presented as primary doctrine. When these types of doctrine or issues arise, students will be referred to the family and local churches for final authority.

Summary Statement

We believe the Bible to be the inerrant and only Word of God, plenarily inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is our only authoritative rule for faith and practice. It is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed, and opinion shall be tried and is the standard of and for all truth.

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is omnipotent; that is, He is all-powerful. He is omnipresent; that is, He is present throughout Creation but not limited by it. He is omniscient; that is, nothing is hidden from His sight. In all things He is limited by nothing other than His own nature and character. We believe the God we serve is holy, righteous, good, severe, loving, and full of mercy. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Governor of everything that has been, is, or will be made.

We believe in the true deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory.

We believe in the full deity of the Holy Spirit, acknowledging Him together with the Father and the Son as Creator and Redeemer.

We believe that because of Adam’s sin all mankind is in rebellion against God. For the salvation of such lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary.

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone, and that faith without works is dead.

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and lost – those who are saved to the resurrection of life, and those who are lost to the resurrection of damnation.

We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own free will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. [The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), Chapter III; Section I]

We believe that because of the fall, unregenerate man is dead to the things of God (Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13). His will is not morally free but is in bondage to his evil nature; therefore, he will not–indeed he cannot–choose the good over evil in the spiritual realm (1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 8:7, 8). Man, in this fallen state, is unable to exercise saving faith prior to regeneration.

We believe that God’s election of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will (John 1:12, 13; Romans 9:10-12; Ephesians 1:4-6), and was not determined by or conditioned upon any act foreseen in any individual.

We believe that, according to the most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, Christ’s redeeming work was particularly efficacious for His bride, the elect of God (Matt. 20:28; John 6:39). We do not believe that the atonement only provided an opportunity for salvation, but that it procured and secured the gift of salvation through His blood to the elect alone (John 10:14-15, 26-27).

We believe that the Holy Spirit efficaciously calls the elect sinner through regeneration, providing repentance and faith as gifts subsequent to the new birth (1 Corinthians 1:23,24; 1 Peter 2:9). It is only through this calling that a man has any desire for Christ. And when the Holy Spirit efficaciously calls, a man will not be able or willing to reject God’s internal calling.

We believe that God will complete the work He has begun in each believer. If someone is truly regenerate, then he will not fall away from salvation (Romans 8:29-31). The basis for this is God’s faithfulness, not the faithfulness of the believer. God will not lose those whom He has purchased.

God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy Providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy [The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), Chapter V; Section I].

Governments

We believe that God has ordained various governments among men. The three basic governments are civil government (Romans 13:1-7), church government (Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 13:7, 17; Matthew 18:15-17), and family government (Ephesians 5:22-6:4). All of these governments are dependent on the grace of God, common or special, working in individuals to bring about self-government. God has ordained the realm of each and assigned to them differing responsibilities within their separate jurisdictions.

We believe that Christian parents have the responsibility before God to provide their children with a godly understanding of the world in which they are growing up. To this end, Christian education, however administered, is essential (Deuteronomy 6:1-6). The civil government has no duty or obligation to rear or educate our children. That authority has been given to the parents, with ultimate accountability having been assigned to the father (Ephesians 6:4).

Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender

We believe God created marriage to be between one man and one woman in a “one-flesh” union for life, uniquely reflecting Christ’s relationship with his church (Gen 2:18-25; Eph 5:21-33). Marriage also serves as the foundational unit of a stable society (1 Cor 7:2). It provides the best environment for children, and the decline in life-long, heterosexual marriage relationships is a significant contributor to many negative cultural developments.

We believe gender also matters to God. God’s creation of each person as male and female is complementary within marriage and reflects the image and nature of God (Gen 1:26-27). Those who reject their biological sex reject God’s design and the person He created them to be.

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt 15:18-20;1 Cor 6:9-10).

We believe that to preserve the integrity of Providence and to provide a biblical role model to the students and faculty, it is imperative that all persons representing Providence in any capacity (employees, volunteers, etc.) agree to and abide by the Statement on Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender.

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity and that God offers redemption, forgiveness, and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10-9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11).

As a matter of firm policy, it is mandatory that all board members, administrators and faculty subscribe to the above statement of faith in a manner and method prescribed by the board of directors, either by written statement or by oral testimony before the board.