Why is the “Federal Vision” so controversial? Looking at the theological issues involved and how they are being responded to, it is clear that the response is out of proportion to the stimulus. Something more is involved than just particular doctrines or vocabulary.

Justification can be seen in at least two lights: definively and as a vindication. We cannot save ourselves thus our definitive justification is grounded in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. This sacrifice fulfilled all of the Law's demands. No further blood atonement for sin is required. God in other words is the active party in the salvific process. Now, even the faith I have to believe in Christ and what He did for me is the gift of God, so that none can boast (Eph 2:8-9 ). Dead sinners need new life in order to repent and believe. Thus the definitive justification of a person is all of God's grace and none of man's works. Man cannot pull himself up by his coat tails.On the other hand justification can be used in the sense of vindication. On the last day we will be judged and our works will come into that judgment. Not in the sense that they are the basis of our justification but rather that they vindicate or display the person's profession of faith. Thus we could sau that faith (the gift of God) justifies the person and works justifies the person's faith at the end of history. In other words good works display one's faith. Man does not commit anything to his salvation autonomously, man is saved by God's grace alone through faith alone.We are saved by grace through faith, from begining to end PLUS nothing. Even our good works are the gift of God. We do not begin by grace and then enter into a relationship of works. We are saved by grace, preserved by grace and end in grace.  Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Federal Vision seems to be a slippery fish. Why? In my opinion and experience most who find themselves asserting all men associated therewith are heretics do so out of ignorance or from second/third/fourth hand information. This is not good. There is much that can be learned from all of the men involved. Do I agree with every point that each man asserts? Probably not, but there again I have not read, listened to nor looked at all of their stuff. The unfortunate place reformed/presbyterian Christendom is in at the moment is one of exaggerating truth over unity. Don't get me wrong, I am no ecumenicalist. Truth is important. It is vital. The Word is truth. At the same time the Word demands that we be unified (Jn 17 ). The Church is one and she has appropriate means to deal with those teaching heresy. This is not Facebook, Twitter, Blog rolls etc. In reformed/presbyterian circles being unified is very, very difficult. We want to split and schism over every little issue. How many Presbyterian denominiations exist in Australia? How many in the world? All hold to the truth broadly defined within the Westminster Standards. Why do we split and schism so much? A major reason is a low view of unity. Not every Christian is or will be a walking talking doctrinal dictionary. In fact, unity requires humility. The type that considers oneself as always reforming theologically and willing to serve the Church. Does this mean we should never disagree with people? No. We must be able to debate and argue the Scripture in love and maintain unity. Does this imply we should happily co-exist with those who are obscurring the Gospel? Absolutely not. What it does mean is refraining from taking peoples words in the worst possible light. We should always investigate things first hand and beware of those who simply devote all of their life to breaking down a position. I have recently written that the Gospel is new news. It is the revelation of something that has not been revealed before. This is primarily the fact that the Second Adam (a man) has entered the inner sanctuary and sits at the Father's right hand ruling the world. Does this mean I deny some of the other aspects of the Gospel. Absolutely not. Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site   Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site