Someone asked Pastor Doug Wilson if he would be willing to debate the theologian R. Scott Clark, professor of Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California over the Federal Vision theology. Scott Clark is a critic of the Federal Vision.
TE Jeff Meyers Cleared by Missouri Presbytery of Allegations Against Him
Doug Wilson on Norman Shepherd and Justification
Doug Wilson on the role of Works in Justification and Future Justification
Doug Wilson on Perseverance of the Saints and Apostasy
Sermon Clip: We are not saved by cooperation with grace, but grace mortifies sin
Pastor Doug Wilson, during a sermon entitled Functional Atheism on Psalm 53:
Ask Doug: The Federal Vision
There have been a few “Ask Doug” questions over on Canon Wired about the Federal Vision. Here are a few:
What’s the Deal with Federal Vision?
Federal Vision: Light and Dark
And sort of related:
Two Kingdom Theology
Why has there been a Federal Vision Controversy?
Doug Wilson weighs in:
Over the last number of years, since the eruption of the FV controversy, we have of course been involved in the public back and forths that such a controversy involves. Much of it has been the doctrinal interaction, and the rest of it has been (mostly unsuccessful) attempts to clarify what we are in fact saying. But for some, these latter attempts are just like rubbing the spot on the wall — it just won’t clarify. Take, for example, Scott Clark’s most recent foray into fog. His summary of our position is this: “Get in by grace, stay in by cooperation with grace.” Forsooth, and double heh.
But throughout the course of this controversy, I have frequently been asked why the controversy exists, and why it has continued. This question comes from people who hear our qualifications, and note (accurately) that we are within the historic Reformed mainstream, and yet they have good reason to respect and take seriously those voices that are calling for our ouster from the historic Reformed mainstream. And so the question that most naturally occurs to them is why.
I have hesitated to answer the question in a public setting (like this one) because I have not wanted… (Continue Reading)
Conversation between Wes White and Steve Wilkins on the Federal Vision
I had the privilege of connecting Pastor Wes White and Pastor Steve Wilkins on the phone for a discussion about the Federal Vision. This conversation was to give Wes White, a theological blogger and critic of the Federal Vision, the opportunity to ask Steve Wilkins directly about some of his positions relating to the Federal Vision. During the course of this controversy, there has been very little direct communication, and very much talking past each other. It was a real blessing to hear these brothers in Christ talk about their positions, differences, and concerns to each other directly.
Wes White and Steve Wilkins on the Federal Vision (download link)
Edit: Steve Wilkins let me know of a correction to something he said: “I need to correct something I said regarding the number of AAPC members who have left here for the Roman Church. I said one man had done this and actually that’s not correct — the correct response is that no one has left AAPC for the Roman Church. The individual I was thinking about left AAPC to join the Episcopal Church and about a year later joined the Roman Church. Just for the record.”
Paschal Blessing from Doug Wilson
From Doug Wilson on Blog and Mablog, Easter Sunday:
“As many who read this blog know, it has a been a season of controversy. But fortunately, it is also the Paschal season. The Lord is risen; He is risen indeed.
We have been brought up from the dead, and our present possession is life, just as our final destination is life. Newness of life now, eternal life now, and life everlasting. This life is sheer unadulterated gift — we cannot do anything to merit it. Salvation is all of grace.
And this means that it has to delight my soul that God loves those on the other side of our particular theological divides more than I have ever loved anything or anybody. It needs to delight me that we will all spend eternity together, as it does. And so I pray God’s blessings on the resurrection celebrations of all God’s children, and I pray for a double blessing on the celebrations of my adversaries. This resurrection life is a powerful thing, and gets into everything . . . even our disputes.
Happy Easter, then, and may you all stand in the overflow of God’s abundant blessings.”
To which I can only add: Amen and amen!