The leadership at Summit Christian Academy, in close association with parents, is committed to equipping students for earthly and eternal success based on the following seven classical virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, Faith, Hope, and Love. The seven classical virtues are commonly broken into two groups: the cardinal virtues and the theological virtues. In Latin, the word cardinal means “the hinge of a door.” These four virtues (Prudence Temperance, Justice, and Fortitude) are pivotal, much like the hinge of a door. They are also intricately connected, meaning it is difficult to truly display one without the other three.
Prudence - is practical wisdom, or wisdom in action. We display prudence when we show intentional forethought about the actions we are taking as well as the result that will come from those actions.
Temperance - is going the right length, and no further, specifically when it comes to our desires and the things in which we find pleasure. We display temperance when we find the appropriate balance between desire and self-control.
Justice - is giving every person what they are owed and treating everyone as an equal child of God. We display justice when we are truthful, keep our promises, and are straightforward with one another.
Fortitude - is the courage to face dangers in spite of our fears and to remain committed under the pressure of pain and suffering. We display fortitude when we stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
Faith - according to Hebrews 11:1 is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not defined by feelings or emotions. We can display faith by holding fast to the promises of God, even when it is not easy or advantageous to do so.
Hope - is displayed by David in Psalm 27:14 when he “waited patiently for the Lord.” Godly hope, brings us through trials and moves us towards confidence. We can display hope by not simply longing for something temporary, but by being rooted in an eternal perspective.
Love - is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as being “patient and kind, not envying or boasting, and not arrogant or rude.” Additionally, John reminds us in 1 John 4:7 that love is “a gift from God”. We can display love by remembering that God first loved us, and as image bearers of Him, we should also love sacrificially.
Prudence - is practical wisdom, or wisdom in action. We display prudence when we show intentional forethought about the actions we are taking as well as the result that will come from those actions.
Temperance - is going the right length, and no further, specifically when it comes to our desires and the things in which we find pleasure. We display temperance when we find the appropriate balance between desire and self-control.
Justice - is giving every person what they are owed and treating everyone as an equal child of God. We display justice when we are truthful, keep our promises, and are straightforward with one another.
Fortitude - is the courage to face dangers in spite of our fears and to remain committed under the pressure of pain and suffering. We display fortitude when we stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
Faith - according to Hebrews 11:1 is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not defined by feelings or emotions. We can display faith by holding fast to the promises of God, even when it is not easy or advantageous to do so.
Hope - is displayed by David in Psalm 27:14 when he “waited patiently for the Lord.” Godly hope, brings us through trials and moves us towards confidence. We can display hope by not simply longing for something temporary, but by being rooted in an eternal perspective.
Love - is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as being “patient and kind, not envying or boasting, and not arrogant or rude.” Additionally, John reminds us in 1 John 4:7 that love is “a gift from God”. We can display love by remembering that God first loved us, and as image bearers of Him, we should also love sacrificially.
