How do we raise our children as Christians in a world where we see so many things that are contrary to God’s design? Our children are growing up in a world where young people are commonly wrestling with issues such as gender identity even to the point of gender reassignment. What about college? Many Christian parents are concerned about the number of Christian children who lose their faith in college. How do we prepare our kids to stand strong in a world that has so many dangers? Those are often the types of questions that are on the minds of Christian parents. Our answer at Fortis is to raise up Christian thinkers and communicators through a classical Christian University Model school.
There are different visions that drive Christian education. When I was in high school, there were certain “Christian schools” where the students were notorious for licentiousness. One student explained that they were trying to show they were just as worldly at those who did not go to a Christian school. A parent who used to go to Fortis, but left to pursue her career, told me that she lost her faith at a “Christian” high school, but met the Lord in college when she got connected with a Christian campus group. She told me that Fortis has caused her children to love the Lord. We wish we could guarantee that for every student who enrolls at Fortis. The point is that mission and vision is critical to the Christian culture of a school.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are some who believe the world is a very evil place and want to protect their children from it. They are looking for a Christian bubble to protect their kids. Closely connected to this model is the idea that we should indoctrinate our children. This is done by telling them what to believe and seeing if they can regurgitate it back to us. The problem with these models is that they will not prepare children to for life after they leave our home.
At Fortis, we seek to train our students to think for themselves from a Christian perspective. We want to give them an education in faith and virtue that will make them strong when they face challenges in life. One of the ways this is done is by having the courage to face the ideas and dogmas they will experience in the world in an environment where we can analyze it from a Christian perspective. The beauty of a classical education is that it develops both discernment and Christian virtue. The idea is that students would see the beauty of Christ, of His creation, and of His government. Having that vision causes them to recognize those things that are contrary to Christ and at the same time creates the confidence and security that is necessary to exhibit Christian virtue. When confronted with those who are committed to evil ideologies or actions, those with such a vision are not afraid and are able to be a light in a dark world. They can see goodness, truth and beauty wherever it is to be found, and are even able to see it a fallen world and among sinful human beings. Through their education they have developed the character and skill where they are able to fulfill their calling and cause God’s will to be done, in a greater measure, on earth as it is in heaven. Most importantly, our prayer is that they walk in the light of God’s presence, for in His presence they will find fullness of joy. The end of such an education is true satisfaction in life.
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