University Model, K - 8

The Oaks is an independent school without institutional ties to a particular church or denomination. Our Statement of Faith is focused on the truths that have bound orthodox Protestant Christians together through the ages, across the boundaries of time, place, race, denomination and tradition. 

As such, our Statement of Faith distinguishes between primary and secondary doctrine. Primary doctrine is defined as doctrines we believe constitute the core beliefs central to Protestant Christian denominations, and which set Protestant Christianity apart from other faiths. 

Primary doctrine, as summarized in this Statement of Faith, will be taught in various ways through all grade levels and forms the foundation for all other academic inquiry at the school. We believe and embrace the system of doctrine expressed in the early ecumenical creeds of the Church as found in the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Chalcedonian Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. 

Secondary doctrine is defined as non-primary doctrines and represents those doctrinal areas where various Protestant denominations may differ. While we believe there is no liberty to disagree where the Bible speaks clearly, we recognize our own fallibility, and acknowledge that sincere Christians can hold two differing views on certain issues that are not essential to salvation, our community life together, or our pedagogue. 

Particularly in the logic and rhetoric stages of our curriculum, treatment of the Statement of Faith may lead to the study of secondary doctrinal issues. When this occurs, the instructor will strive to teach the various views of orthodox Protestant Christianity from an objective, unbiased, balanced view. We reserve for the parents and by extension their church the final responsibility to search the Scriptures with their children to resolve such issues. 

Primary Doctrines 

We believe: 

1. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and conduct. Accordingly, based on Scripture, we believe: 1. The Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
2. There is only one true and infinite, all-knowing God, perfect in all attributes, creator of all things and eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  (Deut. 6:4; Mat. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). 
3. In the deity of Christ (John 10:33); His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35); His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-27); His miracles (John 2:11); His vicarious and atoning death (1 Corinthians 15:3-5; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9); His resurrection (John 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:4); His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19); His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11). 
4. In the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature, and that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ and that only by God's grace and through faith alone we are saved (John 3:16-19; 5:24; Romans 3:23; 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5). 
5. In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5: 28-29). 
6. In the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:26-28). 
7. In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling, the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Romans 8: 13-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18).