It’s safe to say that Rob Bell’s recent book, “Love Wins,” is causing quite a war of words. R. Albert Mohler has weighed in on the argument here: http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=34847. Here’s my response to Mohler’s reading of Bell’s Book. I will say, I wrote it quickly because my computer battery was about to die. I hope to write more later. Nevertheless, here it is:
“For Mohler, there must be an enemy, evidenced by his reading of Bell’s book and his penchant for insisting of a dichotomy of salvation. I am a universalist by hope, meaning that Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection was a cosmic event in which God reconciled all things. Through God’s Justifying Grace in Christ’s meritorious work, all creation has its foundation in the heart of God.
I think Bell says this well, albeit exegetical footnotes would have helped his argument. CS Lewis said something to the effect of, “The devil presents us with a false dichotomy so that we feel forced into choosing the lesser of two evils.” I feel Mohler’s unsympathetic reading of “Love Wins” is a result of this dichotomy. Mohler seems to suggest that it is human choice, and not God’s grace, which lies at the heart of salvation. I pray that it is not up to me to decide to which era I belong. Sin is powerful, powerful enough to render me unable to choose the good, at least, that’s what Paul says. I pray that God’s grace is the heart of salvation, and that through God’s love, all that is within me which is contrary to God’s love, whether it is within my soul by choice or ignorance or omission, is burned away and refined so that I may be filled with the abundant promise of God. I am not so bold to say I am “in,” but it is my hope that God knows how to love me better than I.
Mohler’s distaste for liberals is unfortunate, and his reading of Bell’s book I think is unfair. Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts. May you be blessed with the peace of Christ during this holy time of preparation. Blessings to you.”
You can read my comments on the Faith and Leadership Blog from Duke Divinity School: http://www.faithandleadership.com/blog/03-17-2011/thursdays-news-ideas