The Federal Vision, NPP, and "Dangerous" Underpinnings

After doing some careful research, what I found concerning the NPP (The New Perspective on Paul) and the Federal Vision among two leading conservative Presbyterian bodies have declared unwittingly that the Federal Vision is “dangerous.” That concerns me, mainly because the OPC hasn’t declared it heretical. The PCA is even more lenient in its study committee. They went on to say that they [Federal Vision proponents] are “brothers in Christ.” I have a hard time accepting this line of thinking if what is being taught is contrary to the Scriptures and more specifically contrary to the Westminster Standards, the confession and catechisms of both Presbyterian bodies.

Brian Schwertly writes, “Most importantly it [the report] explicitly states that the Federal Vision doctrine of justification is contrary to the Word of God and the Westminster Confession of Faith.” I would like to see what the reasons were behind the label of “dangerous” instead of “heretical.” Mr. Schwertly goes on to write that the FV denies the active obedience of Christ imputed to the Christian, which is a definite blow at the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

Paul’s words are more than apt as it concerns the church’s body of beliefs, confessions and elders:

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9 ESV)