Giving Thanks for the Academic and Spiritual Education at Westminster Schools of Augusta

I am so thankful for the wonderful teaching that I received at Westminster Schools of Augusta. The high academic standards were consistent in our study of math, science, history and the Bible.

Rather than fearing to discuss controversial things in the Scripture, Westminster taught us to study the Bible critically and "academically." In doing so, I found the Bible to be flawless, trustworthy and able to defend itself.

I was so thankful for this foundation when I went to college and faced all sorts of differing views of the world and man's purpose. Had I not learned through my experience at Westminster and First Presbyterian Church of Augusta that the Lord is the God of all Truth and all knowledge, and had l not learned lo study God's Word critically, finding it perfect and true, I could have easily fallen prey to the hopeless philosophies of this world.

One thing Westminster taught me is that Christianity, intelligence, and academia are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, we were taught and shown that all truth is God's truth.

Rachel Veazey Temple, Class of 1995

Editor's note: After Westminster, Rachel Veazey Temple graduated in 1999 from Furman University with a Bachelor's degree in Religion. In 2001, she graduated from Auburn University's School of Nursing.

Temple has worked in different areas of nursing, including ambulatory surgery, hospital epidemiology, and pediatric intensive care. She currently lives in Alexandria, Va. and works as a part-time nurse. She is married with four children.