Federal Visionists love to portray themselves as “Biblicists” who take the Bible at face value as argued here. However, such posturing is simply rebellion against the Reformation.
The Reformed faith has always insisted upon distinguishing between words and terms. The Bible uses words. Reformed theology uses terms. The difference is enormous. When a word is given a technical definition, it ceases to be merely a word and becomes a term. Once a word attains the status of a “term,” it can never be used as simply a “word.” This is how God works in history.
Thus, certain parts of the Bible should not be read without heavy qualifications. Otherwise, people will be confused and think that the Bible contradicts the Reformed faith.
