Originally posted by Ranger
I'm confused. Are they the same thing?
No, they are not the same. Auburn Avenue is simpley the name of a PCA church in LA, and a few years back they had a conference entitled "The Federal Vision". In this instance, they used "federal" because it is the latin word for "covenant" and they were seeking to develop the significance of the covenant. These men did not agree with one another on all issues, so it is by no means a movement.
Unfortunately it is easier to lump people together, making them an easy target, and if it can be claimed that it is a "movement", then it gives people a cause, so the two often are lumped together, but they aren't related. I wouldn't even put them as second cousins.
The Auburn Avenue lectures are available on-line (sermonaudio.com) and you can listen in for yourself. '03 is available as well, I believe, and this is a follow up conference where men with questions and/or opposition could present their side. There is also a book, but the title escapes me.
Due to the discussion of the covenant and the development of a more corporate identity, I believe is part of the reason these groups are being put together. I realize many will label them as denying the traditional doctrine of justification by faith, but Wilson and others clearly affirm this doctrine. Wilson still maintains the imputation of Christ's righteousness, but many (or all???) of the NPP people see "righteousness" revolving around God's "covenantal faithfulness" to save his people.
A lot more could be said, but feel free to tune out those that put the two in the same pod for you can rest assured they haven't done their homework.
sdg,
openairboy