Nathan E. Lewis

At St. Stephen’s Academy we aim to educate our children, offering the best academic programs possible and cultivating Christian character in our students. While most Christian communities value the instilling of Christian character, some of these communities are confused as to what constitutes a Christian character. The confusion stems from legalism and some forms of modern pietism. The confusion stems from a skewed view of culture and the Christian engaging culture. A Christian character is informed by biblical commands and doctrines. When a community adds man made laws to divine law, then the result is not only legalism but also a cultural statement – a sub-cultural statement. (more…)

St. Stephen’s Academy is a ministry of Evergreen Presbyterian Church a Christ centered congregation intent on embracing the gospel and applying it to every area of life. The gospel not only informs all our endeavors but it transforms our views and participation in a ministry like St. Stephen’s Academy. We do not make the sharp distinction between evangelism and edification that some churches make. Instead we believe that Christians and non-Christians alike need the gospel. The gospel is the proclamation of our entrance into the Church by faith in Christ alone by grace alone. The gospel is also the central message of the Holy Scriptures informing all areas of life. (more…)

The Bible presents to us God as Creator of all things. He is also the Sustainer of all creation, “Upholding everything by his powerful hands.” The doctrine of the Lordship of Christ Jesus includes his ascension to the right hand of God from where he rules and reigns as Sovereign over all creation. The Bible presents two important doctrines concerning the nature of humanity relating to these doctrines of God: 1) Humanity is made in the image of God; and 2) The Human race is totally depraved. Both of these biblical teachings about the nature of humanity inform the worldview of our school. In relationship to the doctrines of God, we must say that the human race made in God’s image is nevertheless subject to divine authority calling us to use our lives to glorify God. We are creative because God is Creator and so we use our creativity to further his purposes in this world. We must also say that our race falling into sin, totally depraved, does not thwart God’s purposes in this world or completely destroy his created goodness. Although our race has done much harm to God’s world, we are not collectively so evil to prevent God from doing all his holy will. (more…)

God has revealed himself through the structure of a covenant, resulting in a community. The covenant is a legal bond but it is all the more a web of relationships. God as a Person relates to us as persons and calls us into covenantal relationships. In the Holy Scriptures we discover God relating to Adam and Eve. He speaks to Abraham and David. The Son of God incarnates and relates to his fellow human beings. His disciples enjoy the fellowship of the Spirit and they form the communion of saints. (more…)