Federal Vision

[cajunhillbilly]

I just heard the term Federal Vision and New perspective on Paul. What is it?

 

[AndOne]

Check out this link: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/new_perspective.html

There is a lot of info on it there - including info from N. T. Wright himself - whom I understand is a big proponet of it. The link provides info both pro and con in regards to it. The NPP has been causing a bit of rukus in Presbyterian circles (particularly the PCA) lately.

Couldn't tell you where I come down with it - I haven't looked into a whole lot and don't feel qualified to make statements either for or against it.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

Hello,

Behe's given you a good link. I also would mention that Federal Vision (FV) and New perspective on Paul (NPP) are to differnt things. There is some overlap in interests and pesons but they are far from the same thing.

My own thought is that, for the most part the controversy FV controversy is blown way out of proportion.

THe same subject was discussed here at SR some time back. Here as a link to that thread: http://www.christianforums.com/t3140334

Hope the link helps.

Kenith

 

[erin74]

I've not heard of the Federal Vision.

I have heard of the NP, and am not in favour of it - but I don't know enough to explain it well, or my objections well. Sorry - that is so unhelpful.

 

[calmcoolandelected]

Hello,

Behe's given you a good link. I also would mention that Federal Vision (FV) and New perspective on Paul (NPP) are to differnt things. There is some overlap in interests and pesons but they are far from the same thing.

My own thought is that, for the most part the controversy FV controversy is blown way out of proportion.

THe same subject was discussed here at SR some time back. Here as a link to that thread: http://www.christianforums.com/t3140334

Hope the link helps.

Kenith

I concur with Kenith.

CC&E

 

[Elderone]

You may find this of interest.

A Pastoral Letter from the National Presbytery​

of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church​

Several new movements have surfaced in recent decades that have sought to undermine the truth of the Gospel. They have been given various names such as: Auburn Theology, Federal Vision, Hypercovenantalism, Neolegalism, and the New Perspective on Paul. There are differences of opinion between the groups and even differences within their own camps, but overall they are one and the same: men who are attempting to sneak in that old enemy of the gospel, sinful man’s works. The subtlety of their attacks is due to their use of Reformed terms in novel ways and disguising their errors under the cloak of covenant theology. This has caused many Christians to be led astray. In order to maintain the peace and purity of our churches we deem it necessary to define clearly the errors involved in these movements. The following is a list of the major positions held by proponents of these new views.

Denying that the Bible contains propositional truths, which leads to a disregard of systematic theology

Affirming that one must have the mindset of a rabbinic Jew to understand Scripture

Affirming that law and gospel are identical

Denying the covenant of works and the federal headship of Adam, which includes the following:
Denying the imputation of Adam’s sin to his posterity
Denying the federal headship of Jesus Christ
Denying the imputation of Christ’s active obedience and righteousness to believers

Affirming that we are justified by an obedient faith, which is the same as saying faithful obedience
Affirming that works (obedience), with the help of the Holy Spirit (non-meritorious), are necessary for justification
Affirming that justification is primarily concerned with ecclesiology and not soteriology
Affirming that Paul uses the term justification only to describe how the Gentile Christians are given equal status with the Jewish Christians in the covenant community
Affirming that “the works of the law” refers to a particular subset of laws pertaining only to the Jews (covenantal nomism)—for example, circumcision and dietary laws
Affirming that justification is solely the forgiveness of sins
Affirming that justification is a process and denying that it is a forensic act
Affirming that a justified person can apostatize and go to Hell
Affirming that justification is used in a constitutive manner in James 2:24

Denying the invisible/visible church distinction and affirming an historical/eschatological distinction
Affirmingthat every member of a church is saved, and therefore the objectivity of the covenant
Affirming that a person can lose his salvation if he does not persevere

Affirming that the covenant of grace is conditional
Affirming that the elect can lose their salvation
Affirming that obedience to the covenant determines salvation and not the predetermined election of God
Affirming that Christ died to save everyone

Affirmingbaptismal regeneration
Denying a difference between the baptism with water and the baptism by the Holy Spirit
Affirming that every baptized person is truly united to Christ and has all the benefits of His work
Affirming that Christ’s work is not sufficient to guarantee perseverance in the covenant
Affirming that the sacraments are efficacious apart from faith
Affirming paedocommunion

Denying the perseverance of the saints
Affirming that one must maintain his elect status, by God’s grace, through obedience to the covenant
Affirming that perfect obedience to the law is possible
Denying definitive sanctification
Affirming that one must have his own personal righteousness, and not that of Christ’s, to be saved
Affirmingthat assurance is gained simply by looking to one’s baptism

All of these positions lead to one conclusion: Christ’s righteousness is not sufficient for our salvation. We need to have our own works, our own righteousness, to enter eternal life. The Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church rejects these views as being contrary to the Bible and the Westminster Standards.

“This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Sprit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3 NKJV)