Bible
The Bible is God’s Word. This sets the Bible apart from all other objects of study, along with its other claims: that it is truth; that not the least bit of it will pass away until all it says is accomplished; and that it is not only infallible, but sufficient to perfectly equip God’s people for life and godliness. As such, it is the only firm foundation for all human knowledge, and the only sure ground for faith and life. Any knowledge of science, history, the arts, ethics, or any other area of learning must be grounded in what God has said if it is to be truly understood.
At the same time, mere exposure to the Bible is not enough. The Bible itself testifies that diligent study of the Scriptures and an eagerness to believe and obey what they say are prerequisites to right understanding. As students do this, it will season their learning, transforming all their thoughts and actions as they grow more and more into the mind of Christ.
To begin with, then, students must know well the content of the Bible. In the Grammar stage at Mars HIll Academy, Bible classes focus on redemptive history. By the end of 6th grade, this central theme concerning what God has done for and through His people is traced from beginning to end three times. In addition to highlighting key persons, places and events, these narratives impress upon the children the Bible’s one coherent story as it unfolds throughout the Scriptures. Means of reinforcing this storyline and its significance include: memorization of key Bible passages; the singing of psalms and substantive hymns and spiritual songs; recitation of basic Christian doctrines found in the Westminster Shorter Catechism; and memorization of practical biblical wisdom via a Proverbs Catechism.
Students must also know how to rightly handle the Scriptures, and how to apply them. At the Rhetoric stage, the Bible classes focus on providing them the tools to do so.
- The 7th and 8th grade Old Testament/New Testament survey courses provide the larger historical, geographical, and cultural context in which God’s acts and His revelation take place; they also focus on unifying concepts (e.g., covenant, messiah, law, the kingdom of God) that will have particular significance in subsequent Bible courses and for other subject areas;
- Biblical Interpretation (or Hermeneutics) focuses on principles and methods of interpreting the Scriptures properly;
- Doctrine helps establish a foundation and framework of key biblical teachings that underscores the coherence of the Christian faith;
- Apologetics reinforces the truth, goodness, and beauty of the faith over against unbelieving religions and philosophies; and
- Worldview Capstone examines how various worldviews, or systems of thought-and-life, work themselves out in various forms (e.g., behaviors, cultural symbols, stories) and in various spheres (family, church, state, the arts, science, education, the workplace, etc.) – not only in a culture as a whole, but in our own individual lives.
