Statement of Faith: Marriage, Gender and Sexuality
Marriage – We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25)
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.)
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Families who choose to associate with New Hope Christian Academy must agree to the same.
Sexual Immorality – We believe that sexual acts outside of marriage are prohibited as sinful. New Hope Christian Academy employees and volunteers must resist and refrain from any and all sexual acts outside marriage – including but not limited to adultery, fornication, same-sex sexual acts and/or pornography. (Ex 20:14; Lev 18:7-23, Lev 20:10-21, Deut 5:18, Matt 15:18-20; Matt 5:27-28; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-13; 1 Thess 4:3; Heb 13:4, Gal 5:19, Eph 4:17-19, Col 3:5). Families who choose to associate with New Hope Christian Academy must agree to the same.
Sexual Identity – We believe that God wonderfully creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. Consequently, New Hope Christian Academy Employees and Volunteers must affirm their biological sex and refrain from any and all attempts to physically change, alter, or disagree with their predominant biological sex – including but not limited to elective sex-reassignment, transvestite, transgender, or non-binary “genderqueer” acts or conduct. (Gen 1:26-28; Rom 1:26-32, 1 Cor 6:9-11). Families who choose to associate with New Hope Christian Academy must agree to the same.
Sexual Orientation – We believe that God created and ordered human sexuality to the permanent, exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal “one flesh” union of man and woman, intrinsically ordered to procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child. Consequently, New Hope Christian Academy employees and volunteers must affirm the sexual complementarity of man and woman and resist any and all same-sex sexual attractions and refrain from any and all same-sex sexual acts or conduct, which are intrinsically disordered. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:5-9, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:25- 27, Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:2). Families who choose to associate with New Hope Christian Academy must agree to the same.
Sexual Redemption – We believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and should seek redemption through confession, repentance, baptism, and faith in Jesus Christ. Consequently, New Hope Christian Academy employees and volunteers must treat with respect, compassion, and sensitivity all who experience same-sex attractions or confess sexually immoral acts but are committed to resisting sexual temptation, refraining from sexual immorality, and conforming their behavior to New Hope’s Statement of Faith. (Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-10, I Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16). Families who choose to associate with New Hope Christian Academy must agree to the same.
Application – We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of New Hope Christian Academy, and to provide a biblical role model to our students, families and community, it is imperative that all employees and volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality. This is necessary to accomplish our biblical mission, goals and purpose. Behavior or counter-witnessing that does otherwise will impede and burden our integrity and spiritual mission. We believe that God’s grace can wipe the slate of guilt and sin, though the consequences of sin are still incurred. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).