Through an exchange on Twitter, R. Albert Mohler Jr. has expressed his willingness to meet with author Matthew Vines, whose new book “God and the Gay Christian” argues that Scripture permits monogamous homosexual relationships.
Four Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professors who contributed with Mohler to an e-book critiquing Vines also apparently have shared their interest on Twitter in meeting with him.
Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, edited the e-book “God and the Gay Christian? A Response to Matthew Vines,” released by SBTS Press the same day as Vines’ book. Contributing chapters to the book were Mohler; James Hamilton, professor of biblical theology; Denny Burk, professor of biblical studies; Owen Strachan, assistant professor of Christian theology and church history; and Heath Lambert, assistant professor of biblical counseling. Burk, Strachan and Lambert teach primarily for Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Seminary.
In the e-book, Mohler and his co-authors noted that Vines’ arguments are flawed biblically and historically. (For Baptist Press’ story on the book, click here.)
On April 22, Mohler tweeted a link to a Religion News Service interview featuring written comments from himself and Vines on the topic of Christianity and homosexuality. Mohler included Vines’ Twitter handle in the post, and several minutes later Vines responded, “@albertmohler Thank you for engaging with my book. If you are open to it, I’d love to connect and get to know you, even in the midst of differences.”
Mohler responded, “I will be very glad to meet you in person and not merely in print. I am thankful for a respectful exchange of beliefs.” Vines, who said in his book that he is homosexual, replied that a meeting would be “wonderful” and offered to travel to Kentucky, where Southern Seminary is located.
In response to an inquiry by Baptist Press, Southern Seminary’s executive editor and chief spokesman James A. Smith Sr. said, “Dr. Mohler is grateful for the respectful initial dialogue with Matthew Vines, but he will not be commenting further at this time.”
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SOURCE: Baptist Press
David Roach
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