10 Things to Expect in a Federal Vision Church

I recently read a post by a frustrated woman on the outcome of some decisions made in different PCA Presbyteries. Among many things, this individual observed that she was deeply concerned for the well-being of the people who attend PCA churches. She urged them to leave the denomination. Many of them have bought into the “Federal Vision theology,” and are possibly doomed to a “Christ-less eternity,” she wrote. They also are grace-less, because they emphasize a robust faith that is not dead.  Among the other things mentioned, apparently Federal Vision advocates do not care about personal relationships, but only church business, because we put so much emphasis on the church. And to top off the list of accusations, we have traded “a relationship with Jesus for religion.”

I am not a PCA pastor, but as someone who served in the PCA for several years, I do want to defend those brothers who are referred to as Federal Vision. Suffice to say, these accusations are childish in every way.

At the same time, I know there is a lot of misunderstanding out there. And in case you are either curious or tempted to visit one of these so-called Federal Vision churches, I would like to prepare the bold visitor for ten things  he/she is to expect as they enter into one:

1) Apart from using the term to clarify ideas and misunderstandings in friendly conversations and the occasional men’s study, the term Federal Vision will most likely never be used in the pulpit.  Further, opponents and even advocates of the Federal (Covenant) Vision differ on many points. The closest thing to a consensus is found here, but there are still are sorts of distinctions and qualifications that need to be made.

2) Be prepared for that archaic practice of singing the Psalms. Yes, we confess to singing from Yahweh’s songbook, as well as some old time religion music from the 4th century. Expect very vibrant singing; the one that roars!

3) Be alerted that we are a very friendly congregation, and contrary to what you have heard (if you have ever heard such a thing) we will greet you and likely invite you to lunch after church.

4) Also, do not be alarmed by the little cries in the congregation (Ps. 8:2-3). We really love our little ones and we encourage parents to train them up in worship, and the best place to do that is…in worship.

5) You may be asked to kneel (Ps. 95:6). We believe posture is important to God. Obviously, you do not have to kneel. It is optional, though everyone will.

6) The pastor may get a bit theological at times, he may take the time to explain the text in detail, but he usually explains his theologizing and biblicizing and is very consistent in applying his text and theology to the life of the body.

7) This may truly shock you, but we have the Lord’s Supper every week. And furthermore, we offer bread (real bread) and wine (real wine). This may take some adjustment, but I promise it will make sense after a while.

8) And I know the red flags are all over the place by now, and this is not going to help, but we also believe that baptized children are called to partake of the table of the Lord. Here is where we confess we have strayed from broad Reformed practices. But we have only done so because we believe that the early Christians practiced this. We further believe that I Corinthians 11 actually confirms our practice.

9) The ministers may wear an alb and a stole (though many others may simply wear a suit and tie). This practice serves to point out the unique role the man of God has in proclaiming God’s truth in Word and Sacrament. This may appear very Roman Catholic to you, and you are right. Of course, it is also very Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and yes, even Reformed (see data on clerical collars).

10) Finally, you are correct to assert that we love the Church. We love her because Christ died for her. Our Reformed forefathers were clear. But the Church is no substitute for Christ, the Church is called to build on her firm foundation, which is Christ. You cannot separate Groom and  Bride. And what does this Christ demand of his Church? He demands repentance, and in repentance you will find fullness of life.

I trust you will visit us, but if you do so, we want you to be prepared.

Leithart may come under fire again!

Though Dr. Peter Leithart was effectively exonerated by the Standing Judicial Committee of the PCA in March, he may come under judicial scrutiny again after the General Assembly in June. Three PCA presbyteries have unanimously voted to overture the General Assembly to take original jurisdiction over the PNWP vs. Leithart case on the Federal Vision. They claim a mistrial because the prosecutor, former PCA TE Jason Stellman, converted to Roman Catholicism shortly after a negative verdict.

More details can be found here:

 

http://theaquilareport.com/three-pca-presbyteries-overture-ga-to-assume-original-jurisdiction-over-te-leithart/

 

And, as this controversy picks up steam yet again, Dr. Leithart has decided to restate his views on baptism:

http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/leithart/2013/05/08/primer-on-baptism/

 

May the Lord bring peace and justice to His church.

 

 

Leithart exonerated! (again)

It seems that Peter Leithart has been exonerated for the final time now!

Lane Keister reported this on his blog GreenBaggins:

In the case of the Leithart trial complaint, the case was heard by the full court. That means that the decision is usually the final verdict, unless a motion (which has to be in order) has been filed to reconsider the case. If that happens, then the verdict will be treated as if it were a panel’s decision. That is what has happened in the Leithart case. The verdict is in, and the verdict is to reject the complaint that Pacific Northwest Presbytery erred in exonerating Leithart. That may be a bit hard to follow. PNW Presbytery exonerated Leithart in the trial. That decision was complained against. The complaint always goes first to the Presbytery, which in this case rejected the complaint. That complaint was then taken to the SJC. The SJC has now concurred with the PNW Presbytery. This is the final decision, since there has been no request for a reconsideration.

Praise the Lord who saw fit to exonerate a righteous man from all accusations brought against him!

Jason Stellman Abandons the Reformation!

Stellman’s Farewell to the Presbyterian Church letter of resignation (here) concludes with these striking words:

Due to the fact that these disagreements strike at the very core of the system of doctrine set forth in our Standards, I feel that I have no other choice than to tender my resignation from the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America.

I would like to express my gratitude to the godly and faithful men of the Pacific Northwest Presbytery for the eight years I have been a member of this body. My desire when I joined was to remain pastoring in Woodinville for my entire life and ministry, and it is with deep disappointment and regret that this will not be the case. My sincere hope is that the fathers, brothers, and friends I have gotten to know here will keep me in their prayers, and forgive me for any offense I may have caused during my involvement in the case against TE Leithart, as well as for any offense I may be presently causing by breaking my ordination vows.

Additional Articles:
Stellman Resigns from the Presbyterian Church in America
Doug Wilson on Jason Stellman’s Departure

Who’s Got the Gateway Drug? by Peter Leithart

Jason Stellman

Jason Stellman leaves the PCA, heads in the direction of Rome

Jason Stellman, longtime critic of the Federal Vision, and the man who brought charges against TE Peter Leithart, has announced that he is leaving the PCA. The reason for his leaving revolves around his changing theology, specifically in regard to Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura, both of which he no longer holds.

You can read his own words on his blog here: http://www.creedcodecult.com/2012/06/heartfelt-farewell-to-pca.html.

A Reformation Day Sermon

In this excerpt, Peter Leithart addresses the question Is the Reformation Dead? 

Is the Reformation dead?  It may be a surprising question to us, especially since we’re commemorating Reformation Day this morning.  But it’s a question worth asking.  When we assess Protestantism honestly, we find that there are good reasons to wonder.

Over the past couple of centuries, many of the Protestant churches in Europe and the US have abandoned the Reformation faith in favor of a modernized form of Christianity, a heresy known as liberalism.  Liberalism turns theology into anthropology, treats the events of the gospel as symbols of religious experience or human aspiration.  Liberalism’s ethos is shaped more by the ethos of modern pluralism and tolerance than by adherence to Scripture or the Reformation confessions.  H. Richard Niebuhr summarized liberal theology this way: “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross.”  Even if the Reformation slogans continue to be mouthed, there is no room for the real Reformation gospel to be preached within liberalism. Continue reading “A Reformation Day Sermon”

Andrew Sandlin on Peter Leithart’s Trial

Sandlin offers his brief, but pointed observations on the Leithart trial:

I’ve stomached perusing some of these documents (some, thank God, not all) and am nothing short of appalled and embarrassed. How God’s people could use God’s money and God’s time to attack God’s man and on such comparatively inconsequential errors (if errors they be) is nothing short of ecclesial malpractice. I’m an acquaintance and not a close friend of Peter’s and I’m no partisan for his distinctive ecclesiology, sacramentolgy and liturgics.  I don’t have an axe to grind with anybody — except people who waste time on trivialities while Western civilization burns.

Note: Peter believes the Bible from cover to cover; believes historic Christian orthodoxy; believes in justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone; believes that the Faith should pervade all of culture; loves the church; loves his wife and children; lives a Christian life above reproach; preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Apparently, that’s insufficient for the “prosecutors.”

And where, pray tell, do we find ecclesial “trials” in the Bible in the first place?  Don’t you dare mention 1 Corinthians 6:1–8, which refers to personal disputes among the saints in the local body. (Oh, wait: we do have ecclesial trials in the Bible: Jesus was once on trial ….). The idea of judging theological fitness by Western jurisprudential models is a Presbyterian myth, not Biblical truth.  Disagree? Please post all the Biblical references.

Unsolicited advice to the Peter: keep preaching, teaching and writing.

Unsolicited advice to the “prosecution”: get a life.