THE ANVIL ACADEMY - BELIEFS
The Anvil Academy is an independent, hybrid school committed to challenging, equipping, and discipling middle school boys into strong young men in the way of Jesus.
This mission calls for more than intellectual agreement from the Board of Directors, Faculty, and Staff. It invites a clear affirmation of foundational Christian doctrine, rooted in Scripture and reflected in The Apostles’ Creed, and the intentional cultivation of a life shaped by those truths. At Anvil, belief and practice are inseparable; what we confess with our mouths, we seek to live with our lives.
The purpose of this document is to clearly articulate the assumptions, principles, and standards that guide this formation. These convictions are not peripheral but central to the life of our Brotherhood, and they find expression through the Core Values of The Anvil Academy.
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ASSUMPTIONS
The Anvil Academy expects that the board, administration, faculty and staff will:
Call themselves Christians by virtue of the redeeming work of Christ and their personal commitment to him
(Acts 2:21, Romans 5:1-5, John 3:16-18; II Corinthians 5:17).
Seek to love God with all their being and to love their neighbor as themselves
(Matthew 22:37-40, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18, I John 4:7-12).
Seek to obey Christ’s teaching and commands
(John 14:15, John 13:17).
Submit to the authority of Scriptures as the ultimate guide for all attitudes and conduct
(James 1:22, II Timothy 3:16-17, Joshua 1:8).
Seek to live lives characterized by joy, gratitude, unity, good works, and servanthood
(Philippians 4:4, Colossians 2:6-7, John 17:23, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:14-16)
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Christians are called to promote freedom without disregarding the law and to be responsible without becoming legalistic.
The actions of Christians within a community affect the whole community. We must be held accountable and hold one another accountable for the implications of conduct when it directly affects the welfare of the community.
Christians cannot live the Christian life on the basis of their own character and strength. The Scriptures, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the community of God’s people are provided to encourage the believer to live a godly life.
Mankind are Image-Bearers of the Holy God, endowed in Creation with distinct beauty and value, created male and female, and called to reflect the nature of God to the world.
The desire for unity may necessitate the subordination of an individual’s preferences or prerogatives for the good of the larger community.
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LIVE PURE
We will strive to thoughtfully examine our culture’s patterns, lifestyles, and worldviews as we seek to embrace the renewal of our minds:
(Romans 12:2):
by examining in the light of Scripture our attitudes towards such matters as materialism, moral relativism, and hedonism
(I John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2).
by renouncing attitudes such as hatred, jealousy, selfish ambition, envy, anger, bitterness, malice, and an unforgiving spirit
(Galatians 5, Ephesians 4).
by reflecting on ideas that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, wholesome, uplifting, and praiseworthy
(Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8)
by renouncing behaviors that are called sinful in Scripture, including sexual immorality, dissension, lying, stealing, drunkenness, and “sins of the tongue”, such as backbiting, slander, gossip, and coarse language
(Colossians 3, Galatians 5, Ephesians 5).
by practicing Christian virtues such as kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and self-control
(Colossians 3:12-14, Galatians 5:22-23).
We will strive to be healthy by giving proper attention to nutrition and exercise and by refraining from the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and chemicals
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
We will hold the marriage relationship in the highest regard, seeking to honor and esteem marriage, the covenant between a man and a woman
(Genesis 2:24, Malachi 2:16, Ephesians 5:21-33).
SPEAK TRUE
We will seek to be proclaimers of the convictions, positions and hope that we have in Christ Jesus, yet always with gentleness and respect
(1 Peter 3:15).
We will seek to foster an environment defined by mutual edification and intentional discipleship
(Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 27:17):
by committing to communally calling one another to lives lived worthy of the calling that has been received
(Ephesians 4:1).
by speaking difficult truths to one another in a kind, gentle and inoffensive manner.
by guarding our speech from misleading, unkind or unwholesome talk that does not build up or benefit others
(Ephesians 4:29).
RIGHT WRONG
We will seek to exercise our freedom responsibly within the framework of God’s Word, with loving regard for the sensitivities of others
(1 Corinthians 8:9, Galatians 5:13-14).
We will strive to be honest and act justly in our relationships with others. We will encourage one another to discuss problems freely, following Scriptural principles for addressing concerns
(Matthew 18:15-20).
We will strive to pursue peace and justice within our community through the diagnostic work of uncovering and naming brokenness as well as the active pursuit of reconciliation.
(Luke 17:3, Hebrews 12:14, Colossians 3:13).
FOLLOW THE KING
We will seek to foster the development of Christian maturity through personal devotional life and through active participation in the local church
(Psalm 1:1-3, Hebrews 10:25).
We will strive to take time to rest and observe a Sabbath day for restoration and renewal
(Exodus 20:8-11, Mark 2:27).
We will strive to obey the laws under which we are governed and fulfill our responsibilities as citizens
(Romans 13:1).
We will seek to be discreet and mature in all our personal relationships
(Colossians 3:17).
We will seek to follow Jesus, by walking in the Way of Jesus
(Matthew 11:28-29, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 2:21).