Statement of Faith and Philosophy

Foundational Philosophy of Education

The foundations of our educational ministry at Eugene Christian School arise from our Statement of Faith, Philosophy of Christian Education, and Basic Educational Goals.

I. Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God (II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 3:16).

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-2).

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; in His virgin birth; in His sinless life; in His miracles; in His victorious 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 (Hebrews 1:3; Luke 1:26-35; I Peter 2:21-22; Mark 1:32-34; I Corinthians 15:3-8; John 14:1-3, 28).

We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (Titus 3:3-7; John 3:5-7).

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells Christians enabling them to live godly lives (Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 1:8).

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved are resurrected to eternal life and those who are lost are resurrected to eternal separation from God (John 3:16-18).

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6).

II. Philosophy Of Christian Education

A Christian World View

Based upon this Statement of Faith, Christian education at Eugene Christian School deals with all the dimensions of life as viewed from a Biblical perspective.

Reality. God is the personal and purposeful Creator and represents the guiding force of the universe. Reality in life involves the understanding that God is real and is active in the lives of men and women today.

Truth. All truth is God's truth. Truth is consistent throughout the universe. Truth exists and is an absolute. God has shown Himself through His Scriptures and man's understanding of truth comes through a study of the inspired Word of God and an understanding of His creation.

Knowledge. All knowledge must be put in the context of Bible truth. Any knowledge or personal conviction that serves as a guiding principle in an individual's life must be based on truth as revealed in God's inspired Word.

Man. Man is created in the spiritual and moral image, or likeness, of God. Man's essential nature is his freedom to choose to decide for himself what his behavior will be and what he will think, become, and do. Man's essential freedom of choice is affected by his inherent nature and his environment of both good and evil. Therefore, he is in need of special help to choose good and to find fulfillment in a reconciled life made possible by Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God.

Christian Education. In order for an education program to be academically sound and the instruction effective, it must be founded upon Christian educational principles that recognize the true nature of God, of truth, of knowledge, and of man. Implicit in Christian education are these basic truths:

(1) Man does possess a spiritual dimension (Genesis 1:26-27).

(2) Education involves the total being: spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social.

(3) Each person possesses unique individual potential, traits, and needs (Rom.12:3-8).

(4) The educational experience must involve (as a primary emphasis) the development of Christian beliefs, attitudes, and skills toward zealous applications.

(5) An integration of Bible truth will be an inseparable and primary part of the total educational process. Christian concepts will be unified with, inseparable from, and central to the academic offerings.

(6) Youth needs a steady influence while preparing to live in a complex society. Only the Bible has the answers to man's needs and longings, and therefore, will serve as our final authority on all questions.