As a school faculty we are reading through Al Wolters’ “Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for Reformational Worldview.” This book is helping us to teach our mission by understanding the Christian Worldview which is based on the historical framework of “Creation-Fall-Redemption”. Taken from the book, these “three basic categories in human history…argue that while the fall reaches into every corner of the world, Christians are called to participate in Christ’s redemption of all creation.” And we can then echo what the Dutch reformer Abraham Kuyper famously said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: “Mine!” It is with great privilege that Calvin Christian School can participate in the building of His Kingdom.
Providing an architectural image, think of the gospel being our foundation. The framework of building is the Christian world-view, and the pillar apparatus is the “5 Solas”. Although the phrase “5 Solas (sola means alone in Latin) may be more recent in its usage, the concepts are rooted in the 16th century Reformation. These five solas distinguished Reformers like Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, John Knox, members of the White Horse Inn in England, John Calvin, and so many others. The heart of the 5 solas is a celebration of the gospel itself. The reformers were willing to lay their lives down for these solas first and foremost because they believed the gospel itself was at stake, and these 5 pillars of truth had a profound effect, changing the very landscape of Europe. Because of these non-negotiables, the gospel was then applied in every area of life in social reforms such as banking, trade and currency, government, prison reform, the ethics of housing and property, architecture, agriculture, and most of all education, which through all the fields of knowledge, became new learning centers about God’s character.
Sola Scriptura (scripture alone)
Is the belief that because Scripture is God’s inspired Word, it is the only inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for the church. Meaning, it is the revelation that Truth is a person. Educationally it inspires us in the areas of theology, literacy, language, literature, logic, Language arts, mathematics, speech and debate, and rhetoric.
Solus Christus (Christ alone)
Is the assertion that Christ alone is the basis on which the ungodly are justified in God’s sight and as the True King, Christ is the rightful governmental authority we ultimately answer to. As 1 Peter 2:13 says, “Fear God, honor the king”. This informs our studies in history, government, school policies, Handbook policies, school board policies, faculty/staff structure and development, and our ethics. Sola fide (faith alone) maintains that the believer receives the redemption Christ has accomplished only through faith (trust). This informs our perception of what’s real which so many of our students are confused about today in the areas of their identities and bodies. This informs our studies in philosophy, epistemology, ontology, social studies, Hermeneutics (study of interpretation), anthropology, anatomy, and health.
Sola gratia (grace alone)
Proclaims that ALL of our salvation, from beginning to end, is by grace and grace alone. As opposed to contemporary narratives, your child’s soul can only find rest in the Lord, no matter how many likes he or she has on their uploaded selfie, or subscribers they have on their video channel, or followers they might have on their Instagram. They are loved and cannot work for our love. This informs our PLACE Services, our student life activities, our clubs, our House system, our faculty, faculty/staff fellowship and collegiality, our classroom culture, and our overall community. Lastly, because of these things, the Reformers held fast to the phrase
Soli Deo Gloria
That God alone receives glory for our salvation. With this, Jesus, the True King, provides us the privilege by inviting us to celebrate Him in his kingdom here on Calvin’s Campus. This informs our work ethic, music, dance, the arts, sports, and every social event that provides fellowship.
