For those visitors who would like to know where I stand on certain issues, I provide this statement of faith and values. It serves as the basis for what I do and do not include on these pages. I may update this statement periodically as I think of new points I need to include, as I think of clearer and more accurate ways of stating things, and as I grow in my faith.
Statement of Faith
I believe . . .
- In the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three equal and distinct persons of the one true God.
- That the Bible is the inspired word of God and the rule of faith, doctrine, and life. (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:16; Gal. 1:8, 9).
- In the miraculous conception, virgin birth, sinless life, selfless ministry, real and willing death, bodily resurrection, continual intercession, and visible return of Jesus (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:25; Heb. 4:15; Matt. 20:28; John 10:17, 18; Luke 24:39; Rom. 8:34; Rev. 1:7).
- That Jesus is fully divine (co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit) and fully human ( John 8:58, 59; 1 John 4:15; John 20:31; etc.; 1 John 4:2, 3).
- That all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12).
- That salvation, which includes forgiveness of sins, cleansing from unrighteousness, and the reward of the righteous, is by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9; John 3:16; Eph. 2:8).
- That those who accept Jesus as Savior and Lord receive the free gift of eternal life, and that those who do not, receive the consequences and just recompense of their sins: eternal destruction (Rom. 6:23).
- That the moral law of God, as expressed in Exodus 20:3-17, summarized by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40, and expounded on throughout Scripture, is valid in the present, not just the past. I also believe that obedience and genuine holiness are a part of the true Christian life (John 14:15, 1 John 2:6).
Statement of Values
I believe . . .
- In doing good to all. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
- In the equality and non-equivalency of men and women.
- That marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman for life.
- That adultery and fornication in any form (including physical, mental, or emotional adultery, pornography, cohabitation, and extensive pre-marital involvement) is sin and contemptible in the eyes of God.
- In the mutual love and submission of husband and wife toward each other, and in similar duties of one to the other.
- In the special duty of the husband to love, honor, cherish, and protect his wife, and to stand at the head of the family as leader and protector.
- In the special duty of the wife to love, respect, and submit to her husband, and to stand at the head of the family as the companion and supporter of her husband and the keeper of the home.
- That a believer should not marry an unbeliever.
- That marriage should be between persons of like faith, as the parties can best serve God and each other, raise their children, and have a unified and happy home in such a marriage.
- In the blessing of children, the duties of parents toward children, and the duties of children toward parents.
- In, so far as possible, living in a healthful and safe environment, and living a healthful and safe lifestyle–physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
- In dressing in a way that is safe, healthful, comfortable, practical, affordable, sensible, neat, clean, appropriate, tasteful, becoming, and modest (unpretentious, adequately covered, and not sexually provocative).
- That men and women should not wear the clothing of the opposite sex, that men and women should dress differently, and that neither men nor women should in dress or behavior, seek or promote–willingly or unknowingly–genderlessness. Further, that women should dress in a way that reflects and celebrates their femininity, subject to their own and their own husband’s interpretation thereof.
- That a woman’s business, career, or employment at home or outside the home ~ no matter how important, enjoyable, worthy, lucrative, or necessary it may be ~ may not ever supersede, make unnecessary, do away with, injure, or devalue her work as homemaker, and that neither these things nor volunteer work, church work, missionary efforts, social life, and pleasure may replace her first duty to her husband and children and deprive her home and family of the necessary good care (note: not adequate care) that it is their right to have and her duty to give. Any woman living like this will naturally behave in very counter-cultural ways. I also believe, subject to these terms, that it is not wrong for a woman to have some business, career, or employment at home or outside the home, and that a woman’s sphere of usefulness should, in one way or another, extend beyond her family.
- I do not believe in wearing jewelry, dancing, or consuming alcoholic beverages. I also refrain from make-up, tea, coffee, and soft drinks, and some other things. . . . and am a vegetarian. And yes, I have fun. And eat well. And no, I’m not judging you. 😉 I’m just adding these last things because ~ even though you probably weren’t wondering about them ~ they do sometimes affect what I do at Keeping Home, The Hope Chest, and Virtuous Weddings.