Resource Library

Our elders maintain a Resource Library that supports and provides further resources to our foundational documents. Our hope is that these resources help you discover who we are as a Church and support your journey of becoming a disciple of Jesus that makes disciples.

BAPTISM

COMMUNION

CREATION

Clarification Document – Origins and Creation

It is the Elders’ goal not to unduly restrict the teaching of other theories and interpretations that can and should be
conveyed when providing comprehensive coverage on subjects such as origins and creation. Guiding this process are the
BCS Statement of Faith and Blackhawk Ministries Leadership Essentials documents, which agree in principle while
offering varied levels of specificity. Neither of these documents provides sufficient detail to stem current cultural drift.
The Elders, in fulfilling their responsibility as the final interpretive authority for the Bible’s meaning and application for
all ministries within the organization, offer this clarification of our unified position as a ministry with regard to the
subjects of origins and creation.

Specifically related to the subjects of origins and creation, our position as a ministry is the following:

1. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and is the supreme and final authority. It shall remain to
the end of the age the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man. Where science and
Scripture appear to disagree, we believe that science will ultimately support the truth of Scripture. Science
can never be elevated to the same authority as the Word of God.

2. We interpret Scripture literally. The Genesis account of creation and the global flood are to be understood
as literal, historical accounts of events that actually occurred as detailed in Scripture.

3. “There was evening and there was morning, the x day” is a literal 24-hour day. The events were real and
animals were created according to their kind. “Not by evolution” means that transitional migration between
species doesn’t exist.

4. There was a real Adam and Eve created in the image of God. They were not the byproduct of any
evolutionary process and shared no common ancestry.

5. Man was created in innocence but voluntarily sinned; as a consequence, all creation was subjected to the
fall; all men are now sinners, inclined to evil, and are under just condemnation to eternal death without
defense or excuse.

6. Nature is a source of revelation and testament of God’s eternal power and divine nature. “For his invisible
attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation
of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, ESV).

Anyone teaching as part of Blackhawk Ministries, while instructing, leading discussion, or answering questions, will
adhere to this further clarification of the “What We Teach” section of the Blackhawk Ministries DNA document. If there
is any question concerning a teacher’s ability to convey these items as the answers for creation and origin, this step will
be accomplished by bringing in another teacher who regularly addresses the subject, one of Blackhawk Ministries’
Pastors, or an Elder of Blackhawk Ministries.

We reserve the right to resolve disputes in accordance with biblical teaching. For purposes of Blackhawk Christian
School’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, Blackhawk Christian School’s Board of Directors is accountable to
the Board of Elders of Blackhawk Ministries.

END TIMES AND ETERNITY

Additional Scripture References: Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:7,18; 3:11; 20:1-22; 22:12-13; John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

ETERNAL SECURITY

Adapted from the Blackhawk Ministries Archive of What We Teach

Each person who has experienced the new birth in Christ is eternally secure

in their position as a child of God.

Their position is secure because of the work of the Father.
1. Through His purpose: God purposed to glorify those whom He predestined, called and justified. Romans 8:30-39
2. Through His power: by God's power a believer is sustained. Jude 24; John 10:27-29
Their position is secure because of the work of the Son.
1. Through His death, burial and resurrection Romans 8:32-34; John 6:39-40,51; Hebrews 10:14
2. Through His prayers John 17; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1-2
Their position is secure because of the work of the Holy Spirit.
1. Through indwelling John 14:16-17; I John 3:19-24
2. Through sealing II Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30
Their position is secure because of the nature of salvation.
1. Eternal life means eternal life. John 3:16; 17:3; 6:40,47,51,54
2. Through the nature of adoption Romans 8:9-17; Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5-9

GRACE AND THE GOSPEL

Salvation is God’s gift, offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord. Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ, based on principles of His righteousness. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.
Sanctification is the experience, beginning at regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

Scripture References: Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.

MARRIAGE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY

"Blackhawk Position on Divorce" from original church bylaws:

... God's design for marriage is permanency and purity. This is the constant theme since the creation of man, woman and marriage in the Garden of Eden. Most always the Bible reaffirms the design of permanency and purity in a discussion regarding divorce. Genesis 2:18-25

... God hates divorce. He never initiates divorce. He never commands divorce. He never encourages divorce. Malachi 2:16

... Because sin has marred God's creation and hardened the hearts of people, God has permitted divorce. Matthew 19:6-9

... Adultery breaks purity and the one-flesh relationship and is the only grounds on which a divorce may be initiated. Genesis 2:23-25; I Corinthians 6:15, 16

... If adultery has taken place, God's plan is not divorce, but forgiveness and restoration. Hosea teaches us the priority of forgiveness. Having been forgiven of God, the violated believer is to be forgiving. Christ taught that it is incongruous for the believer to be forgiven of a life of sin and not be a forgiver himself. Matthew 6:14, 15; 18:21-35

... In the case of adultery, when forgiveness is extended and adultery persists, divorce is permitted. This is the nature of God's divorce from Israel. Jeremiah 3:8

... The believer may not initiate a divorce with an unbeliever except for marital unfaithfulness, but is free from the marriage and free to marry if the unbeliever initiates the divorce. I Corinthians 7:12-15

...If the divorce has taken place contrary to God's Word, the believer is to seek restitution and remain unmarried. I Corinthians 7:10

... In the event that an unbiblical divorce has taken place and a second marriage has already transpired, a second divorce is not permitted to reunite the original couple. Furthermore, if the death of the second spouse occurs, the original couple may not reunite. Deuteronomy 24:1-4

... In the case where a second marriage has taken place, it is impossible to retrace history and restore the relationship. The believer can only seek to follow God today and follow beginning now. A marriage, established contrary to God's standards, is still a marriage and binding.

PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Among other things, today’s digital technology promises ease, instant gratification, and access to the world’s information and knowledge. It highly influences the way we develop our relationships and the way we spend our time.

One of the most influential cultural forces affecting our quality of true life is our use of social media. Given the various social media platforms, we must proactively develop godly character and exercise wisdom in defining how we individually use it for His good; we must prayerfully consider what we allow and encourage in our families. We must be good critical thinkers about its potent impact (both for good and ill) as we wholeheartedly pursue our relationship with Christ. Our use of a particular technology can move us closer to or farther away from Him and His plan for us.

In addition to social media platforms, we are becoming more familiar with growing applications and the unprecedented possibilities of artificial intelligence. We risk the lure of being absorbed into alternate realities through gaming and certain artificial intelligence applications that diminish or degrade human dignity. If we are not careful, we can find ourselves living large segments of our lives with little or no human interaction.

As a follower of Christ, we are called to grow in His likeness. We are to guard our hearts because it is the wellspring of life. We are called to healthy relationships with other members of His Church. As His disciples, we can be reactive or proactive in determining what is healthy in this area and what is not, what contributes to our personal and family growth and what is harmful. In order to detox from the detrimental effects of technology in our lives, it is highly recommended that we regularly engage in a technology Sabbath.

Additional Reading for Digital Media and Cultural Influence:
- "The Tech-Wise Family" , Andy Crouch
- "Twelve Ways Your Phone is Changing You", Tony Reinke
- "Get Your Life Back", John Eldridg

STEWARDSHIP AND GENEROSITY

THE SPIRITUAL REALM

Additional Scripture References: Genesis 1:31; 3:24; 18; 19:1-29; Psalm 89:5-7; 103:20; Hebrews 1:6, 12-14; 2:7-9; Acts 8:26; 10:3; 12:5-10;27:23-24; Exodus 20:11; Job 38:4-7; Isaiah 6:2-3, 6; 14:12-14; Daniel 7:15-27; 8:13-26; 9:20-27; 10:13; Matthew 2:13-15; 8:29; 25:31; 28:1-2; Luke 2:13-14; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 11:10; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 1:1; 5:1, 8-13; 7:1; 12:7-10; 20:1-10; 22:6-9