Federal Vision on Slavery: PCA Pastor G. Brent Bradley Promotes Slavery

Federal Vision is a dangerous heresy.
It's proponents hold to the theology of irreconcilable paradox, Justification by Faith and Works, Dominion Theology, Theonomy, Reconstructionism, Common Grace, and the institution of slavery (as it was in the Old South). They believe all of this, while simultaneously and deceptively claiming to be Reformed.

This video opens with a quote from John Calvin, who did not support the institution of slavery. As you will see from the quote, John Calvin was opposed to the institution of slavery, but you will never hear this from a Federal Vision propoent. For like all heretics--they are hoping you never read the Bible, John Calvin, Martin Luther, nor the other Reformers for yourself.

Specifically, this video examines a sermon from Federal Vision proponent and PCA Pastor G. Brent Bradley. Bradley is a pastor and teaching elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Kingsport, Tennessee (WPCKT from here on). He is a member of Westminster Presbytery.

Bradley, his session, and the congregation of WPCKT have supported the Federal Vision theology for years. To this day they continue to support Federal Vision hucksters like Gary Demar and Douglas Wislon (you will hear Bradley quote Wilson with great respect in this sermon). Gary Demar (who's organization is interestingly named "American Vision"--which reminds us of the heresy of Federal Vision) is frequently a guest speaker at WPCKT.

How do I know all of this?

Because I was a member of WPCKT for several years. I resigned my membership when they sided with the heretical Auburn Ave. Theology (now called Federal Vision).

I know what the elders of WPCKT teach both publicly and privately. I have witnessed their love of money and power, their high view of the institutional church, and their low view of Scripture.

I have sat in their pews and listened to sermon after sermon which failed to clearly distinguish the Law from the Gospel, for as theonomists, they think the Gospel is the Law.

I have seen how some of their members live lives of constant fear, for the Law can only bring fear and condemnation to sinners. I have seen some of their members terrified of being excommunicated, fearing there was no salvation apart from the institutional church.

I have quoted Martin Luther to them, only to be told that I was a Lutheran. I have quoted John Calvin to them, only to be told that they didn't believe all Calvin taught. I have pointed out their logical fallacies, only to be told I was making God subject to logic! To hell with these fools, for that is the sentence Christ passes upon all those who reject His logical teachings which are explicitly stated and logically deduced from Scripture alone!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Brent
• Bradley
• Westminster
• Presbyterin
• Church
• Kingsport
• Tennessee
• PCA
• America
• Federal
• Vision
• Douglas
• Wilson

[TheKerneltp]

Judicial slavery is not a biblical penal sanction. This innovation came from Quakers and Unitarians. There is no example of imprisonment for punishment in the Bible except by wicked kings and pagans. The only penal sanctions from Scripture are corporal punishment, restitution and execution. What you approval of is wicked, much worse than the worst Canaanite slavery. BTW, Pastor Bradley specifically said his sermon was not a sanction of slavery in the old South. Try to listen more closely.

[RedBeetle]

@TheKerneltp

You foolishly wrote: "There is no example of imprisonment for punishment in the Bible."

Jesus Himself submitted to being imprisoned, chump. Like I said, you need to read Romans 13.

I would also point out to you that the lake of fire seems to be the ultimate prison, but apparently you haven't read the New Testament. Guess who throws the wicked into this prison...anyone....yeah, it's Jesus who sentences them there. Go back to your Federal Vision Catholic whores and cry.

[TheKerneltp]

I read Robbins' pamphlet, "Christianity and Slavery." Robbins asserted that Philemon had sinned against Onesimus. One of his favorite Latin phrases was ipse dixit. He provided no argument,; he just said it. Calvin: "His servant had fled away from him; Paul sent him back, and commended him to his master, and besought his master to forgive his theft. We hence see that the thing in itself is not unlawful." Commentary on Jer. 34:17 Calvin disagreed with Robbins. You selectively cite Calvin.

[RedBeetle]

@TheKerneltp,

This quote you provide does not imply that Calvin believed God did not do away with slavery in said epistle. Remember, Calvin held that something is right or wrong based soley upon God's will, and that essential teaching is consistent with my citation of Calvin in the video and Robbins' commentary, but you're reading it in a way which indicates God is subject to some Platonic ethical code, something rejected in the first book of the Institutes and no where found in Scripture.

[TheKerneltp]

Calvin said: "If, then, servitude were unlawful, the Apostles would have never tolerated it; but they would have boldly denounced such a profane practice had it been so. Now, as they commanded masters only to be humane towards their servants, and not to treat them violently and reproachfully, it follows that what was not denied was permitted, that is, to retain their own servants. We also see that Paul sent back Onesimus to Philemon." I guess he argued from silence too. Jer 34:8-17

[RedBeetle]

@TheKerneltp,

You intentionally stopped quoting Calvin, because you know my quote, which follows and brings all to a conclusion lays your theonomy to waste! Take Calvin's medicine, chump, for Calvin had Romans 13 in mind when spoke to you racists : "BUT AS NO NECESSITY CONSTRAINS US...IN HAVING HIRED SERVANTS AND NOT SLAVES." Jer. 34:8-17. As anyone can see, Calvin rejected theonomy, and in his other books he rejected racism.  If you don't agree with Calvin's basic teaching, then say so.

[TheCannonofMohammed]

So if I were to kidnap this guy and his family and send him a continent or so away and sell him he'd be OK with it? Am I missing something here?

[NIKandSi]

@2013volleyballgirl wrote:

"That happens to be MY pastor you are tearing down. If you have a problem with what he is saying you should go to him. I have been attending Westminster for almost 6 years..."

I did. I confronted him and his heresy of irreconcilable paradox in his office. He admitted he thought the Book of James and the Book of Romans were irreconcilable concerning Justification Before God. I resigned from that cult you call a church soon after. Learn Law / Gospel Distinction.

[RedBeetle]

@TheKerneltp,

It's explained in detail in Robbins' commentary. However, since you seem oblivious to basic logic and grammar:

"receive him as myself."

It's in the imperative mood, that means it's a command from Paul. Put the command in standard categorical form, then consider if Paul would be received as Philemon's literal slave. I know that's a lot for you Federal Vision folk, but you have to start somewhere.

Got Logic?

[RedBeetle]

@TheKerneltp

You wrote: "Judicial slavery is not a biblical penal sanction."

It is a reasonable option if done justly, according to Romans 13 and the Institutes Of The Christian Religion.

Do you deny Romans 13? Looks like you do.

Remember, Calvin rejected theonomy in the Institutes. Try to keep up.

[RedBeetle]

@TheKerneltp,

You wrote: "Pastor Bradley specifically said his sermon was not a sanction of slavery in the old South."

Yes, "pastor" Bradley contradicted himself. What else is new? He believes in a heresy called irreconcilable paradox.

Got Logic?

[TheKerneltp]

Judicial slavery is not a biblical penal sanction. This innovation came from Quakers and Unitarians. There is no example of imprisonment for punishment in the Bible except by wicked kings and pagans. The only penal sanctions from Scripture are corporal punishment, restitution and execution. What you approval of is wicked, much worse than the worst Canaanite slavery. BTW, Pastor Bradley specifically said his sermon was not a sanction of slavery in the old South. Try to listen more closely.