The other day I suggested some questions to ask in conversation about the Federal Vision. There was one question I left off the end. It’s controversial one, the one I’ll be told that I shouldn’t ask because it’s offensive but it is crucial. The question is “can we trust you?”
The reason for the question comes back to what I wrote recently about a particular ethical line taken by key proponents such as Douglas Wilson. He and others have argued that deception is not necessarily false witness and is permissible in a time of war.
The loophole here is huge because spiritually speaking we are always in a time of war. Now, properly speaking, spiritual warfare is in the heart as we put together fleshly desires so the implication should be that we can legitimately or even ought to deceive ourselves. However Federal Vision puts the focus externally with its aim to restore Christendom. This means that deception is seen as permissible out in the world
So, how do we know if someone’s answers to our previous questions are intended to give full, truthful and enlightening answers and how do we know if they are not intended as obfuscation and deception?
There is no easy way forward here. After all, the old circular dilemma is in play. If you ask someone if they are deceiving you and they are, then that answer itself may be deception. I guess we could ask some further sub questions including.
- What is the nature of the conflict we are now in?
- Do you regard me as friend or foe
- Are you able to give me examples of the kinds of deception you have used/would use and what would count as unacceptable.
Alongside that we need lots of prayerful discernment. We need to be observing both what is said and done to look for inconsistencies. We need to pray, trusting that the Holy Spirit will bring all into the light
Of course we can never be fully sure. So this for me is one reason why there has to be full repentance, renunciation and breaking off links with the movement.
Faithroots 