Christ-Centered Education
By Peter H. Vande Brake, M.Div., Ph.D.
 
In this method of education, God is our benchmark. "Benchmark" is a term that comes from the surveying occupation. It is the established reference point from which all other measurements are taken. If we are to have any true knowledge, we must have a reference point that is firmly established, and that reference point is God. Outside of God, there is no true knowledge.

We begin with the presupposition that God is the font of all knowledge and wisdom, and we attempt to understand our world from that seminal position. It is theology that gives the educational structure its final synthesis. "Those who disagree about this will remain content to leave their pupils' education still full of loose ends."(Dorothy Sayers, "The Lost Tools of Learning," Canberra, Australia: Light Educational Ministries, 1947, 15). Without a belief in God to anchor knowledge, there are merely facts and figures in a blinding buzzing confusion signifying nothing. Without God, knowledge has no meaning.

Christian education is a constant attempt to integrate the Christian faith into the subject matter of every class. Thus, Church History and secular history are not parallel histories that have nothing to do with each other, but they are both parts of the same complex history that makes up the history of the relationship of God with human beings. Mathematics and laws of physics cannot be understood apart from God's order in creation. There is no subject matter that falls outside the bounds of a Christian worldview. At North Hills we strive to make the integration of faith and learning an essential part of the education we offer.

Statement of Faith - Nicene Creed
North Hills Classical Academy

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.