Federal Vision


The Federal Vision is a line of Christian thought based in the United States. It is a Reformed evangelical theological approach that focuses on covenant theology, Trinitarian thinking, the sacraments of baptism and communion, biblical theology and typology, justification, and postmillennialism. The movement has been rejected by several major denominations in the U.S., including the Presbyterian Church in America, the Orthodox [Presbyterian Church], the Reformed Churches in North America">Calvinist">Reformed Churches in North America, the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States and the Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches.
A controversy arose in Reformed and Presbyterian circles in response to views expressed at a 2002 conference entitled The Federal Vision: An Examination of Reformed Covenantalism. The ongoing controversy involves several Reformed denominations including the Protestant Reformed Churches in America, OPC, the PCA, the URCNA and the RPCUS.

Influences

Proponents of Federal Vision theology view themselves as influenced by the Protestant Reformers, especially those responsible for drawing up the Westminster Confession.
They argue that the influences of their theology are not limited to the work of pre-Great Awakening writers, however. They find precedent for their beliefs through the Awakenings and up to the present day.

History and controversy

In January 2002 Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Louisiana, hosted its annual pastors' conference with speakers Douglas Wilson, John Barach, Steve Wilkins, and Steve Schlissel addressing the topic "The Federal Vision: An Examination of Reformed Covenantalism." The organizers and speakers intended the conference to provide a positive covenantal view of issues such as assurance of salvation and child-rearing. In June 2002, the RPCUS, a small Presbyterian denomination, issued a public call for repentance to the four speakers, charging them with "a fundamental denial of the essence of the Christian Gospel in the denial of justification by faith alone" and with "introducing false hermeneutic principles; the infusion of sacerdotalism; and the redefinition of doctrines..." As a result of this response and further debate and discussion regarding the conference teaching, the theological views presented at the conference came to be known as Federal Vision theology or Auburn Avenue theology.
In addition to the original four conference speakers, a number of men have identified themselves as proponents of Federal Vision theology by signing a document entitled "A Joint Federal Vision Profession." Signers include Randy Booth, Tim Gallant, Mark Horne, James B. Jordan, Peter Leithart, Rich Lusk, and Ralph A. Smith. A number of these men have particular areas of theological interest. For instance, Gallant writes mostly on paedocommunion, and Smith on the Trinity. As of 2017, Douglas Wilson no longer identifies with the Federal Vision label, though he stated that the change "...does not represent any substantial shift or sea change in the content of what I believe."
Those who oppose Federal Vision theology include Calvin Beisner">John Calvin">Calvin Beisner, R. Scott Clark, Ligon Duncan, David Engelsma, J. V. Fesko, Michael Horton, Joseph Pipa, John Robbins, Brian Schwertley, Morton H. Smith, David Van Drunen and Guy Waters.

Ecclesiastical responses

In addition to the RPCUS's 2002 response, several other Reformed and Presbyterian denominations have ruled on the orthodoxy of Federal Vision or are in the process of doing so:
  • In 2006, The Orthodox Presbyterian Church's "Report on Justification" did "not condemn all of the views of those mentioned herein does agree that aberrant views on justification have been promulgated from within these circles," and it reaffirmed its commitment to the traditional understanding of the doctrine of justification and offered a critique of the Federal Vision.
  • In 2007, the Presbyterian Church in America appointed a study committee to examine the issue, and that committee produced a report which "is to be given due and serious consideration by the church and its courts" concluding that the teachings of Federal Vision on election, justification, and other doctrines are contrary to the Westminster Standards, the PCA's doctrinal standards.
  • In June 2009, the Reformed Church in the United States rejected Federal Vision theology as not being in accordance with its doctrinal standards.
  • At the 2010 Synod, the URCNA passed a 60-page report condemning Federal Vision as heresy.
In reply to these denominational criticisms, several Federal Vision proponents developed and signed a "Joint Federal Vision Profession," which briefly outlines what they affirm and what they deny in each of the controverted areas. Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church, the church at which the original 2002 conference was held, has revised and republished its statement on "Covenant, Baptism, and Salvation," which they state was "not intended to erect some new standard of orthodoxy or to imply that we were settled on these points and could not be challenged or dissuaded from them, and it was certainly not intended to erect another wall to divide the Church or as a means to denounce or exclude from fellowship our brothers who might disagree with us," and that it was "a response to the critique and instruction we have received and is an effort to make our position more clear and more easily understood. We continue to study and learn and continue to be open to further correction and instruction."

General beliefs

The leading proponents of Federal Vision theology are Reformed, and consider their understanding of Christian theology to be, with some exceptions, in keeping with major Reformed confessions—namely, the Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Confession of Faith. The following subsections outline the distinctives and particular emphases of the Federal Vision as outlined in the "Joint Federal Vision Statement".

Trinity

Proponents of the Federal Vision believe the trinitarian relationships among the Godhead to be the model for all covenantal relationships and the foundation for understanding the Christian Bible. In line with Cornelius Van Til and R. J. Rushdoony, they claim that the Trinity is the only acceptable solution to the philosophical "one and many problem". Their trinitarian theology influences all areas of their theology, particularly their view of the biblical covenants.

Postmillennial eschatology

Advocates of the Federal Vision believe that Jesus will not physically return to Earth until it is as "full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea", which postmillennialists believe refers to the conversion of the majority of the world to Christianity. While this is consistent with postmillennial doctrine, not all Federal Visionists are postmillennials.

Covenant objectivity

The central distinctive of the Federal Vision is its view of the covenants. In keeping with the historic Reformed understanding of covenant theology, Federal Vision proponents argue that God has made two covenants with humankind throughout history: the first was pre-fall of man and the second was post-fall. The second covenant was progressively expanded throughout the Old Testament in various advanced covenants, and reached its climax with Jesus and the so-called New Covenant.
What distinguishes the Federal Vision from other interpretations of covenant theology is its view of the nature of the covenant—namely that the covenant is "objective" and that all covenant members are part of God's family, whether or not they are decretally elect.
The Federal Vision position on covenants stems from a mix of so-called "covenant objectivity" and Calvinist theology regarding God's predestination of each soul. Because Federal Vision thinkers believe the Hebrew Bible argued for corporate election of all Israel, so too does the New Testament argue for the election of souls in the Christian Church. This results in a distinction in election: there are the decreed elect and the covenantally elect. Rich Lusk writes:
Lusk goes on to speak of apostates within the covenant:
Proponents of the Federal Vision claim to reflect the authentic views of John Calvin on election and covenantal objectivity, citing Calvin's distinction between common election and special election: "Although the common election is not effectual in all, yet may it set open a gate for the special elect." Calvin wrote concerning effectual calling,
Advocates of the Federal Vision believe that in the covenant, God promises certain blessings for faithful living, and promises curses for unfaithful living, which makes the covenant objective. Once a person has entered the covenant through baptism, he cannot escape its consequences. If, through unbelief, he lives a life unfaithful to the covenant or abandons it, he will be subject to God's curses and displeasure.

Baptism

Proponents of the Federal Vision have a view of baptism that they argue returns to the beliefs of the original Reformers, particularly John Calvin. This baptismal view is different from both Roman Catholic and contemporary Protestant beliefs on baptism. Douglas Wilson writes:
To them, baptism is the entrance into both the covenant and the Christian Church. As a result of the covenantal union between the act of baptism and the work of the Holy Spirit, Federal Vision advocates affirm a form of baptismal regeneration that they argue is a return to Calvin's thought and the teachings of the historically Reformed.
This point has generated much controversy and confusion, because the advocates of the Federal Vision do not mean regeneration as the term is used today. Instead, they claim to employ the original sense of the word used by the reformers. Louis Berkhof writes, "Calvin also used the term in a very comprehensive sense as a designation of the whole process by which man is renewed." Critics point out, however, that all the benefits of believing in Jesus are associated with baptism by Federal Vision writers. Critics believe this teaching aligns them more closely with Lutheran views of baptism.
Using this definition of regeneration, the Federal Vision position is that physical and spiritual baptism should be seen as a unity normally. Rich Lusk writes,
In his concluding analysis of the Federal Vision baptismal theology, Joseph Minich—who claims not to be a Federal Vision advocate—writes, "Baptism is not a 'work' performed, after which one can have full assurance. It is not another 'instrument' of justification alongside faith. Rather, it is a visible act of God that is to be seen as the locus of Christian certainty. It is the place where God promises to meet His own. To look to baptism for assurance is not to look for salvation in 'water,' but to cling to the place where God promises to meet His people and bless them."
Those associated with the Federal Vision often include under the name "Christian" all who have been baptized in the name of the trinitarian God.

Communion

The Federal Vision emphasizes the blessings from partaking in communion as the nourishing feast of the covenant. While denying both mere symbolism and the presence of Jesus in the elements themselves, they believe that Jesus's presence with the church in the sacrament has sanctifying effects.
Advocates of the Federal Vision are proponents of paedocommunion, the indiscriminate distribution of the communion to all infants and children of church members. They argue that accepting infants and small children to the communion table was the classic Christian position until the 14th century, and that all covenant members, including infants, should be admitted to the table unless they are under formal church discipline.
Paedocommunion is not an exclusively Federal Vision position. Non-Federal Vision Reformed advocates of paedocommunion include C. John Collins, Curtis Crenshaw, Christian Reconstructionist Gary North, and Andrew Sandlin. Non-Reformed evangelical supporters include William Henry Willimon and N. T. Wright.
Opponents of paedocommunion argue that the practice is not in keeping with classical Calvinist theology. They note that traditional Reformed teaching and practice require a communicant to be capable of self-examination, according to Paul the Apostle's teaching in 1 Corinthians 11.
Calvin specifically rejects paedocommunion in chapter 16 of book four of the Institutes of the Christian Religion.

Salvation

According to R. Scott Clark, the Federal Vision movement distinguishes between initial justification by faith alone and final justification "through faith and works or faith and faithfulness." Likewise, in the sacrament of baptism, "all the benefits of Christ are given but must be retained by grace and cooperation with grace."

Biblical theology and typology

One of the foundational distinctives of the Federal Vision movement is the method they use to interpret the Christian Bible. Rather than treating hermeneutics as a science or a method, they consider it more of an intuitive art. Rich Lusk says,
Biblical theology methods of interpretation do not treat the Christian Bible as a collection of facts and doctrines as systematic theology does. Rather, it treats the Christian Bible as a great story of God's redemptive and transformative purposes in the world for the world. Thus, interpreting the Christian Bible through the typological system means emphasizing literary analysis and the flow of the overarching narrative through each of the smaller, individual stories.
This method of interpretation has been around since the Church Fathers, and writers such as Geerhardus Vos and other 19th-century Presbyterian theologians have contributed to the present Presbyterian understanding. In 19th-century German Protestantism, typological interpretation was distinguished from the rectilinear interpretation of prophecy. The former was associated with Hegelian theologians and the latter with Kantian analyticity. In the 20th century, typological interpretation was fleshed out by David Chilton and Meredith G. Kline, but especially by theologian James B. Jordan, whose books on typology, and the commentaries of Peter Leithart serve as the interpretive foundations for the Federal Vision theology.
Adherents of the Federal Vision often make use of and recommend the general interpretive works of Sidney Greidanus, Christopher J. H. Wright, Richard Gaffin, N. T. Wright, Stanley Hauerwas, George Stroup, Richard Hays, Rikk Watts, Willard Swartley, Sylvia Keesmaat, Ben Witherington, J Ross Wagner, Don Garlington, Craig Evans, Steve Moyise, and David Pao.
Typological hermeneutics are not mentioned explicitly in the "Joint Federal Vision Statement".

Imputation

Another controversial aspect of the Federal Vision theology is the denial of the imputation of Jesus's active obedience in his earthly life. Theologians involved with the Federal Vision disagree on the denial of imputation. James Jordan has denied that any part of Jesus's earthly works is imparted to believers. Norman Shepherd agrees with him. Peter Leithart has publicly said in a letter to the PCA Pacific Northwest Presbytery that:
Rich Lusk’s position seems to be the closest to a representative position for the Federal Vision theologians as a whole. First, he does not deny Jesus's active obedience:
Similarly, James Jordan writes "that there is a double imputation of our sins to Jesus and His glory to us is certainly beyond question, and I am not disagreeing with the general doctrine of imputation, or of double imputation."
The Federal Vision proponents question whether Jesus's earthly works benefit humans. Jordan says:
Lusk agrees:
Rather, the Federal Vision theologians see believers as being in "union with Christ," as partaking of Jesus's resurrection, rather than believers getting righteousness credit given to them. Lusk again:
Lusk compares this "union with Christ" with the analogy:
Both Andrew Sandlin and Norman Shepherd agree that union with Jesus's resurrection, rather than the imputation of his earthly obedient works, is how sinners are justified before God.
Despite internal disagreement on the matter, Federal Vision theologians agree that:

Federal Vision and the New Perspective on Paul

Some critics of Federal Vision theology have connected it with the New Perspective on Paul. Federal Vision proponents have sought to maintain a distinction between the two theologies while acknowledging that they do have some general ideas in common. Yet many critics of the Federal Vision still group the two movements together. Outspoken critic Guy Waters notes:
Proponent James B. Jordan says similarly,
Douglas Wilson has noted six foundational tenets of the NPP. He affirms the correctness of points 1–3.
  1. Justification by faith was present in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.
  2. Faith and works are not opposed to one another in the Bible. Faith was always present, even in the Old Testament. The Jews were not trying to earn anything by works.
  3. Law and grace are not opposed to one another, or that the Old Testament was mostly law and the New Testament was mostly grace.
  4. Paul's primary focus was not individual salvation, but corporate salvation.
  5. Judaism was not a religion based on salvation by works or merit.
  6. Judaism satisfied Paul's burden of guilt; rather than what the Old Perspective thought, that Judaism could not ease Paul's conscience.
Most of the Federal Vision proponents have publicly said they appreciate much of what NT Wright has written. Both Mark Horne and Rich Lusk have defended Wright against his Reformed critics. Horne has said that the NPP "is not a rejection of the Reformed doctrine." Lusk has said virtually the same thing, saying that Wright "is a true sola scriptura Protestant." Douglas Wilson has called Wright a "Christian gentleman" who "has a lot to contribute," and has commended Wright's insistence that Paul is a "thorough-going covenant theologian," but has also leveled criticism at Wright:
Peter Leithart, Steve Wilkins and Steve Schlissel share similarities theologically with the NPP, though they have not publicly said they have consciously shaped their theology after Wright's. Leithart, however, has said that Federal Vision theology "is stimulated by Anglican New Testament scholar NT Wright..."

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  • Roberts, Dewey, Historic Christianity and the Federal Vision: A Theological Analysis and Practical Evaluation, Sola Fide Publications, 2016,.

General information

  • —A series of affirmations and denials on key Federal Vision doctrines cosigned by leading proponents

Information related to particular church bodies

  • —Includes a doctrinal response to the New Perspective
  • —Presented at the 35th General Assembly of the PCA
  • —Resources on the controversy from the RPCUS
  • —PCA Ad Hoc Committee Report on the NPP/Auburn Avenue Theology/Federal Vision, 2005
  • —Submitted on December 9, 2006