Statement of Faith
We believe that you as the consumer have the right, the responsibility even, to know what we believe as the creators of these Bible studies. Many churches speak of core doctrinal issues as they pertain to salvation vs. more tertiary issues. And while we agree that not everything is a salvation issue, all stances in regards to theology and doctrine are important to know when it comes to training up a child in the way they should go. The popular thing to do is to just copy and paste generalities and stay away from the finer print where controversies divide . . . but we aren't aiming for popular. I personally am weary of reading broad statements that leave much to the imagination. I am hungry for authenticity rather than the polished politics of careful legalities. It is my hope and prayer that both the language and contents of this statement will give you a glimpse of who we are and where we stand—no cloak and no veil. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and let's dig in!
What is theology? Let us set the stage by first acknowledging that theology is mankind's understanding of an unfathomable God who is full of mystery and wonder and far bigger than our feeble minds can comprehend. As such, we take the scriptures to heart when Paul said, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
No one person, one school of thought, or one seminary school has all the answers. We could spend all of eternity trying to wrap our heads around who God is and still have questions. Therefore, we do not claim the podium as the ones who see fully or "know better". We believe that God's thoughts are higher, His ways are higher, and we humbly declare to you, the public, that we (like all of us) see only in part.
Our core/salvation beliefs:
We believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ the son of God made flesh (who is fully God and was fully man), and the Holy Spirit are three persons in one. In short, we stand by the trinity.
We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, died on the cross for our sins, and was raised three days later. We believe that He is seated at the right hand of the Father and is coming back for His bride.
We believe that the only way to salvation is not though our effort or good works, but rather through faith in Jesus Christ: who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). We believe that we are saved when we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart—making Him the Lord of our lives. This goes beyond words that we speak and is a heart posture of no longer living for our own desires/flesh but rather walking in step with the Spirit and following God's will for our lives.
We believe that the Bible is God's word and the ultimate/highest authority (2 Timothy 3:16). Everything must be grounded, rooted, and tested by His word.
Casting a wider net:
The Christian church seems to swing on a pendulum from one extreme to the other and we find ourselves somewhere in the middle. On one side, we do not subscribed to reformed, calvinist teachings. We are definitely not cessationists as we believe strongly in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit today.
On the other end, we do not subscribe to a one-size-fits-all theology that God can fit in a box of our own making in order to "always be successful" or have financial prosperity. The Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith to us means that we may not always see the promise on this side of heaven: whether that be healing or our promised land. But our circumstances do not define God's goodness, and though we may have many troubles (John 16:33), He has overcome.
We believe that God still speaks, still moves, and that miracles still happen. We believe that everything that happened in Acts is possible here and now and that believers need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to equip them for the days ahead.
We believe in tongues, but do not subscribe to the teaching that if you do not speak in tongues you are not saved or do not have the Holy Spirit. We believe that there are different kinds of tongues as evidenced in scripture: speaking in an unknown language that someone else hears in their native tongue (Acts 2), speaking prophetically in a heavenly language to a quiet room—requiring interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:27–28), and tongues for personal edification (1 Corinthians 14:2–4).
We believe in the gifts that Jesus gave to the church of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors (Ephesians 4:11) and that we need each of these roles in the body of Christ in order to be healthy and balanced. The idea of a pastor being all things to all people is not how we see the church flourishing—we need each other!
We believe in equipping both men and women, boys and girls, young and old, to do whatever God calls them to do! Like Deborah, who was the leader of Israel and judge over the land . . . we encourage our sons and daughters to speak, teach, lead, and prophesy as laid out in Joel 2:28, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions."
Now, more than ever, we need to carefully discern, ground ourselves in God's word, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. We need to go beyond the "elementary teachings of God's word" (Hebrews 6:1) and begin to raise up those who can hear God for themselves, discern for themselves, and have a direct and personal relationship with God in the secret places of their lives rather than being spoon-fed by the "industry" that church has become. Our mandate and primary goal is to raise up a generation who will:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
—Proverbs 3:5-6