Why I Oppose FV

A theological tempest is brewing in the Presbyterian teapot. Various New Perspecti on Paul (NPP) are gaining traction, not least of which is the Federal Vision (FV) which claims, I think, not to be the same as NPP but those outside the FV and NPP say it is…I think. (It really all depends on which side of the subtly nuanced shading of the shadow of the reflection of the image you happen to be standing in…or on…or near(?).)

At any rate, I write to express my stern and fervent opposition to NPP and FV. It really has nothing at all to do with the theological positions of NPP and FV (to be both Frank and Ernest, I’m not sure I get it all). It has more to do with the default initials by which they are referred. To say, “NPP” is, in my ever-so-slightly-more-than-sophomoric mind just sounds naughty…or hip hop. “Yeah, you know me. I’m down with NPP.”

FV, on the other hand, has a slightly more literate reason for offending. It just isn’t poetic. It doesn’t flow effortlessly from the lips. In order to say it correctly, one must pause (as briefly as one can) between the F and the V. This is simply too cumbersome in the flow of conversation. If you say it with any sort of flow, it doesn’t sound like much more than FE. Or EVEE. If you’re going to come up with a new theological system, and you want it to gain purchase in the vernacular of the common man, you’re going to have to make it simple and easy to say.

Take PCA for instance. Simple, slides easily past the teeth. Even OPC sounds almost automatically familiar and friendly (cranky elements within said denomination notwithstanding). Heck, even SBC has something going for it…although people really have a hard time writing “an SBC church.” Because it begins with S, people want to put “a” in front of it…which of course sounds totally wrong when spoken.

And of course there are others that don’t work. PCUSA (too many letters), AofG (speaks for itself, I think), UMC (reminds me of the Marine Corps) and others.

I wonder if the FV guys would be willing to call it something else. This would help people like me who would be glad to entertain the ideas if only we could relate to its tag. Maybe FedViz or FeVi or FEVO. Or they could get celebrities to embrace the doctrine and brand it with their own special thang.

Britney Spears could embrace it, divorce it and then feel ambivelent toward it and call it K-Fed Vision.

Mark Driscoll could take it on and cuss about those who don’t like it and call himself a Federvisionary.

At any rate, until I can say it and sound as intelligent as Doug Wilson whilst so doing, I’m out.

To learn more of the substance of all this check out the following:

Doug Wilson

PCA Report on NPP and FV

Bayly Brothers (comments get good in parts)

Green Baggins

N T Wright (snoop around)

You’ll find enough to get you in way deeper than perhaps you’re desiring to go if you start reading and random clicking on these sites.

Maybe Federal (re)Visioning? (just trying to help)

Ro to Replace Ro?

As Rosie O prepares for her departure from ABC’s The View, names are being batted around as potential replacements. Roseanne Barr is said to be tops among those being considered. Others include Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Connie Chung and Kathie Lee Gifford. May I offer one more name? Hillary Clinton. Think about it.