Federal Vision Controversy Simmers

byFaith (the web magazine of the Presbyterian Church in America) has a short little article on the ‘controversy’. The statement I wonder about is in the paragraph I bolded below stating that

To critics, the theological systems redefine the classic Reformation doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone, which proponents of the New Perspective dismiss as, among other things, a Lutheran misunderstanding of the teaching of Paul. Federal Vision proponents place a strong emphasis on the efficacy of the Sacraments, some embracing giving the Lord’s Supper to baptized children and a view of baptism that, critics believe, makes it a “regenerating” ordinance. Additionally, these systems emphasize that final salvation has more to do with continuing membership in the covenant community than with a personal salvation experience. Critics believe the emphasis in all of these new paradigms has shifted from the classic evangelical question “Are you saved?” to “Are you in the Covenant?”. Proponents of the Federal Vision assert that they are simply reaffirming a higher view of the sacraments as advocated by Calvin before the church was later influenced by American revivalism.

Is that a better question? So is it a criticism? Moving away from the ‘personal relation with Jesus down deep in my heart’ to a question of ‘Do you belong to God’s people?’ does not sound like a bad thing.