Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith of Knox Classical School is grounded in the essential doctrines of historic Christianity as professed in the Apostles’ Creed (second century), Nicene Creed (A.D. 381), and Definition of Chalcedon (A.D. 451). In matters beyond these essential doctrines, we honor the primary role of the family and direct secondary theological questions to parents.
1. We believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority for both our personal lives and our churches. Every part of Scripture is inspired by God and is inerrant and infallible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35, 17:17)
2. We believe in one God who exists eternally as three persons (the Trinity): the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is the Creator of all things and sovereign over everything He has made. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 104, 139; Matthew 10:29-31, 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12, 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6)
3. We believe that God created the world by His word and designed humanity immutably in His image as male and female. Gender identity may not be detached from the biological sex of the human body; marriage or matrimony is a covenantal union of one man and one woman, directed toward procreation; and God intends for children to be raised and nurtured in an environment that honors these distinctions. God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, any use of pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. (Genesis 1:1, 18-28, 2:24; Galatians 3:28; Psalm 8:3-9; Isaiah 42:5-6)
4. We believe every human life is sacred and created in the image of God. Life begins at conception and has immeasurable value at every stage, including the unborn, infants, the elderly, and those who are physically or mentally disabled. From conception until natural death, all human life deserves to be honored, protected, and defended. (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5)
5. We believe that humanity has rebelled against God. Though created with dignity in God’s image, all people are now affected by sin as a result of the Fall. Sin has brought guilt and corruption into every part of our lives—spiritual, mental, emotional, relational, and physical. (Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-18, 5:1-12; Ephesians 2:1-3)
6. We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. As the eternal Son of God, He lived a sinless life, died in our place, and rose bodily from the dead. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He defeated sin and established His Kingdom. (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-18; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 3:23-25; 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 7:23-25; 9:13-15; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:21-25; 1 John 2:2)
7. We believe that salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We are saved not by our own goodness or efforts, but solely by trusting in Jesus to rescue us from the penalty and power of sin. (John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3-4; 8:1-17, 10:8-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:3-7)
8. We believe the Holy Spirit dwells in believers, enabling joyful obedience to God’s will as revealed in Scripture. Good works flow from true faith, conform to God’s Word, and are done for His glory. We believe that all believers in Jesus Christ are spiritually united as one body. Those who belong to Christ, the head of the Church, are joined together in love and share in one another’s gifts and spiritual blessings. (Acts 2:14-21, 4:29-30; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-31; 14:1-33; Galatians 3:1-5)
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Every member of the Board of Directors and employee of Knox Classical School must agree completely with this Statement of Faith. Likewise, both custodial parents of every student and every student in grades 7—12 must agree completely with this Statement of Faith.
Our school operates from a Reformed theological perspective, as summarized in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Our Board, administration, faculty, and staff members are in general agreement with—and members in good standing of a church that is in substantive alignment with— the Protestant tradition represented by the following statements:
Three Forms of Unity (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, The Canons of Dordt)
Baptist Faith and Message (2000)
Adherence to these statements roots our school’s instruction and practice in the Protestant tradition.
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To preserve unity in our school community, both custodial parents of any student at Knox Classical School, as well as students in grades 7—12, must acknowledge this orientation, broadly affirm these doctrinal positions, and cheerfully cooperate with the school’s teaching and practice in this area.
Both custodial parents of every student must be members in good standing (or members-in-progress) of a church that wholly upholds the school’s Statement of Faith. Additionally, the teaching of the parents’ church must not significantly diverge from the confessions listed in the Reformed Commitment statement.
Students in grades 7—12 must actively participate and serve in their parents’ church.
Knox Classical School operates as an extension of the Christian family, under the authority of the fathers and mothers who are required to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6). The authority granted to fathers and mothers in Scripture is delegated to Knox Classical educators and staff in loco parentis. This means that, while in the classrooms of Knox Classical School, the educators and staff share in the responsibility that believing parents have to raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. We embrace this responsibility with great reverence and humility, recognizing the high calling God gives to parents, and we endeavor to shoulder wisely that calling as it pertains to academia and character formation during classroom hours.
