Foundational Beliefs

During competition in this event, participants must adhere to the material contained in this rule section to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all.

• Statement of Faith

  Nicene Creed

  We believe in one God,
  the Father, the Almighty,
  maker of heaven and earth,
  of all that is, seen and unseen.

  We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
  the only Son of God,
  eternally begotten of the Father,
  God from God, Light from Light,
  true God from true God,
  begotten, not made,
  of one Being with the Father.
  Through him all things were made.
  For us and for our salvation
  he came down from heaven:
  by the power of the Holy Spirit
  he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
  and was made man.
  For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
  he suffered death and was buried.
  On the third day he rose again
  in accordance with the Scriptures;
  he ascended into heaven
  and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
  and his kingdom will have no end.

  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
  who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
  With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
  He has spoken through the Prophets.
  We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic Church.
  We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
  We look for the resurrection of the dead,
  and the life of the world to come. Amen.

  *universal

• Position Statements

  For more than two thousand years, the Christian church has held almost exclusively accepted viewpoints on the veracity and inerrancy of Scripture and on issues related to marriage and biblical sexuality. Acknowledgement of what constitutes a “Christian worldview” based on these beliefs has gone largely without dispute until the last decade. Current societal norms, both inside and outside the church, have challenged the clarity with which NCFCA once operated and required us to resolutely affirm what Scripture has to say about two issues.

  Scriptural Inerrancy

  We believe that the Bible in its entirety “is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16), is inerrant in its original autographs (Prov. 30:5; 2 Pet. 1:20-21), and is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17).

  Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

  We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate as an organization and to provide a biblical role model to NCFCA affiliates and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by NCFCA in any capacity and NCFCA affiliate families agree with this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22).

  • We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
  • We believe that God has created marriage to be the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:18-25). This union uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church (Eph. 5:21-33). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
  • We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, or use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).
  • We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11).
  • We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Unloving and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the mission of NCFCA.