Federal Vision: “A Glorious Mess”

We continue to explore the unique use of language employed by the Federal Visionists, and today we move to a post written by Douglas Wilson on May 29, 2007, when he resurrected his “battle” theme. However, this time he included much more detail as he described his perceived role in the controversy, and he also managed to toss in a dash of the “new Reformation” theme, when he wrote,

In a battle, foot solders focus rightly on the conflict right in front of them. Generals don’t have the luxury of that simplicity, and so they also have to think constantly about the larger strategic issues. Great generals do not just think of tactics on the field, but also of the larger strategic issues, up to and including the geo-political ones.

When doctrinal controversy erupts in the Church, the same realities are present. There are local church members and local pastors who find themselves swept up into a particular conflict that is a small part of a larger battle. They are required to be faithful in that conflict, and part of that faithfulness includes recognizing that the conflict includes their issues, but is not “about” their issues. . . . We have been praying for reformation in the Church for many years now, and I believe there are reasons to believe it is beginning to arrive. One of the reasons for believing this is the explosion of chaos and confusion. In The Last Lion, William Manchester described Winston Churchill’s participation in one of the last cavalry charges of the modern world. Before the forces collided, everything was distinct and in its place. The flags were snapping briskly. The sides were clear, and everything was magnificent. Once the armies met, there was complete pandemonium. Only a wise general could keep his head in that situation and remember what was actually supposed to be occurring.

As I said, we have been praying for reformation in the Church for many years now. But what on earth made us think that any reformation ever came without making a glorious mess? When did new wine in old wineskins not result in wine all over the floor?

The problem is this: when men build the tombs of the prophets there is a large measure of self-deception going on. They tell themselves that they are the true heirs of the prophets when their actions betray them (to the wise) as heirs of those who opposed the prophets. Christ took just one glance and told them what they were doing. The curators of the Reformation Museum want everyone to stay behind the velvet ropes, to leave the old books on their shelves, and coo over the wax reproduction of John Knox confronting Mary Queen of Scots. Then everyone is given a brochure reminding everyone to not try this at home.

People just do this, and they don’t know that they do. This is a deep sociological reality, and all the wishing in the world can’t make it unfold differently. In this reformation, just like the last one, there will be the old guard, refusing to budge. There will be the defenders of the old, those who are willing to retrench somewhat, introducing some reforms under pressure. There will be the magisterial reformers, with significant differences between them, outlining a vision for the future. There will be the sane anabaptists, trying to stay out of trouble. There will be the opportunistic lunatics, who set up some kind of federal vision wife-swapping deal.

One of the earmarks of shrewd insight is the ability to see what corresponds to what. Who is like this person? Who is like that one? Who are the reformers, speaking the language of Scripture afresh? Who are the heretics, flaming with the rhetoric of reformation, but denying the substance? Who are the curators and librarians, custodians of treasures they cannot understand anymore?

When the massive confusion of real reformation breaks out, how do you decide what to do? Simple. The children of Abraham will do the works of Abraham. (“Children of Abraham”)

For the record, I did not fabricate this quote. Douglas Wilson really wrote it and it’s safe to assume that he really believes it. Furthermore, I freely admit that the scope of this blog is too small to handle a proper analysis of Wilson’s thought process; that is a project for experts on mental illness. Nevertheless, I shall offer a brief outline to assist the brethren caught in the fray.

First, Douglas Wilson sees himself as a “great general” in this controversy, and he is conducting himself accordingly:

Great generals do not just think of tactics on the field, but also of the larger strategic issues, up to and including the geo-political ones.

When doctrinal controversy erupts in the Church, the same realities are present. There are local church members and local pastors who find themselves swept up into a particular conflict that is a small part of a larger battle. They are required to be faithful in that conflict, and part of that faithfulness includes recognizing that the conflict includes their issues, but is not “about” their issues.

Leaders in the Reformed church should not miss this. Douglas Wilson has set his affection on “larger strategic issues,” which includes “geopolitical ones.” In other words, he has a plan to impose his fight — his battle — on the Reformed church, and he intends to take strategic geopolitical objects, which in this case means churches — local assemblies — who hold their membership in larger denominations, such as the PCA and the OPC.

Second, notice the analogy that Wilson draws between the disruption to the peace and purity of the church caused by Federal Vision and the “complete pandemonium” that took place when Churchill led the last cavalry charge of the British Empire at Khartoum:

We have been praying for reformation in the Church for many years now, and I believe there are reasons to believe it is beginning to arrive. One of the reasons for believing this is the explosion of chaos and confusion. In The Last Lion, William Manchester described Winston Churchill’s participation in one of the last cavalry charges of the modern world. Before the forces collided, everything was distinct and in its place. The flags were snapping briskly. The sides were clear, and everything was magnificent. Once the armies met, there was complete pandemonium. Only a wise general could keep his head in that situation and remember what was actually supposed to be occurring.

As I said, we have been praying for reformation in the Church for many years now. But what on earth made us think that any reformation ever came without making a glorious mess? When did new wine in old wineskins not result in wine all over the floor?

Notice the only common denominator that exists between Wilson’s example and the Federal Vision controversy: “a glorious mess.” Notice also that he premises his argument on this mess and cites it as a reason to believe that Federal Vision is the beginning of a new reformation: One of the reasons for believing this is the explosion of chaos and confusion.”

Here’s the argument:

• Winston Churchill led a cavalry charge that resulted in chaos.
• The Federal Vision has created widespread chaos in the Church.
• Therefore, this chaos is a reason to believe that the Federal Vision is the beginning of a new reformation.

And if you need further proof, just answer this question: “When did new wine in old wineskins not result in wine all over the floor?” And if this does not satisfy you, then you must defer to Wilson’s expertise as implied in his role in this controversy: “Only a wise general could keep his head in that situation and remember what was actually supposed to be occurring.”

By now I have exhausted my word limit, so next time I shall conclude this analysis of Wilson’s argument.

Thank you.