Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven 

Introduction:

Below you will find five distinctive marks of “The Federal Vision” theology that has been advocated by some theological writers and popular speakers since the early 2000’s. I believe that each one of these five marks can be refuted by the clear teaching of the Bible and by all of the Confessional documents of the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. I list the five marks as illustrative of how some good men can fall prey to bad theology.

  1. The Federal Vision endorses a fundamental paradigm shift away from the doctrine of “Regeneration” to the doctrine of the “Covenant” as the decisive starting place for all theological discussion and analysis (i.e. a hyper-covenantalism; an emphasis on “covenant membership”). 
  2. The Federal Vision rejects the Bible’s teaching of a “two-covenant system” (i.e. the covenant of works and the covenant of grace; or Law and Gospel) by setting in its place one single unfolding covenant. Hence, the status and the obligations of its members are radically reinterpreted. 
  3. The Federal Vision redefines the doctrine of Justification so that it is not based solely upon the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer (forensic justification), but upon a combination of Christ’s work and the believer’s good works (a salvific syncretism). Federal Vision advocates also teach that justification is not limited to a particular time, but justification comes about progressively over a person’s lifetime leading to a final justification at one’s death. 
  4. The Federal Vision redefines the doctrine of the Church by rejecting the terms “visible” and “invisible.” Moreover, it underemphasizes evangelism and overemphasizes discipleship.
  5. The Federal Vision redefines the doctrine of the Sacraments so that infant baptism (paedo-baptism) is viewed as the “means of salvation” (i.e. through baptismal regeneration), rather than seen solely as a sign and seal of entrance into the visible church. Moreover, Federal Vision advocates insist that covenant membership entitles all baptized persons, even those who have never made a credible profession of faith, the right to participate in the Lord’s Supper (i.e. paedo-communion). 

Select Bibliography: 

Beisner, Calvin E. (ed.), The Auburn Avenue Theology, Pros & Cons: Debating the Federal Vision, Fort Lauderdale, FL: Knox Theological Seminary, 2004. 

Letham, Robert. The Lord’s Supper: Eternal Word in Broken Bread. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2001. 

Murray, John, Christian Baptism, Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 1980.

Pipa, Joseph A. & C.N. Willborn (eds.), The Covenant: God’s Voluntary Condescension, Taylors, SC: Presbyterian Press, 2005. 

Venema, Cornelis P. Children at the Lord’s Table? Assessing the Case for Paedocommunion. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009. 

Waters, Guy Prentiss. Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul: A Review and Response. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 2004.

Waters, Guy Prentiss. The Federal Vision and Covenant Theology: A Comparative Analysis. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 2006.

Wilkins, Steve and Duane Garner, eds. The Federal Vision, Monroe, LA: The Athanasius Press, 2004.

Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin

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