The heading of this post is real. I’m only jotting this off because sometimes thinking about an oversimplification can stimulate productive thought.

The debate over the “free offer of the Gospel” was a struggle to gain permission within the Reformed world of sincerely assuring (and warning) unbelievers indiscriminately that God loves them and desires their salvation.

The so-called “federal vision” controversy seems to arise from a demand for permision within the Reformed world to sincerely assure (and warn) professing believers indiscriminately that God loves them and has made them part of his family.