What's Wrong with the Federal Vision?

The following is an excerpt from an excellent Reformed critique of the Federal Vision error.  There are numerous websites out there that claims that the Federal Vision is difficult to understand.  They muddy the waters by saying not all the FV proponents teach the same things and that it is not the same thing as the New Perspective on Paul, etc.  But none of that is true.  Although there are divergences and varieties of the FV, they are all in disagreement with the Reformed view as taught by the Scriptures and the Reformed confessional standards.   --  Charlie

First, the clear emphasis of the Federal Vision is on covenant—not on Christ. The Federal Vision teaches that we are saved by the covenant, whereas the Reformed faith (in line with the Bible) teaches that we are saved by Christ. The Federal Vision teaches that the covenant itself conveys a relationship of peace and favour with God; the Reformed faith (again, in line with the Bible) teaches that Christ is the only Mediator, the only Redeemer of God’s elect, and that the covenant offers salvation only by faith in Him. Richard D. Phillips observes,

“The most stunning feature of the Federal Vision writings is the way Jesus Christ, in His person and work, recedes into the background. I am astonished that in the great mass of Federal Vision material dealing with God’s covenant and salvation, our Savior is almost completely ignored” (The Auburn Avenue Theology, Pros and Cons: Debating the Federal Vision, p. 84).

From:  

The Federal Vision
A New Perspective—an Old Heresy

By Rev. T. Aicken