Al Mohler's Recent Pivot

Al Mohler’s Shift on Abortion and Criminal Responsibility

I look at Al Mohler's behavior lately and I see a few things that are very interesting to me that would suggest somewhat of a pivot. For example, Al Mohler believed that a woman seeking an abortion should not be penalized.

Who is the guilty party in an abortion? It is the person who brings about the death of the child. The woman seeking the abortion is not without moral responsibility, but she is not herself bringing about the death of the unborn human baby.

That's the crucial issue here, and that's why the pro-life movement has consistently sought to criminalize abortion at the level of the person performing the abortion. That is, unlike what Nicholas Kristof argues here, a morally consistent argument, and it has been consistent over time.

Of course, now he is saying this.

I believe that there are many cases in which demonstrably there is not just an abortionist who should face criminal consequences, but a woman seeking an abortion.

Mohler’s Reversal on Same-Sex Orientation

Again, here's Al Mohler on the issue of same-sex attraction, homosexual orientation from 2014.

Early in this controversy, I felt it quite necessary in order to make clear the gospel to deny anything like a sexual orientation. And speaking at an event for the National Association of Evangelicals 20-something years ago, I made that point.

I repent of that. This complex of same-sex challenges coming to us is something that is deeply rooted in the biblical story itself, and something that we need to take with far greater seriousness than we've taken in the past, understanding that that requires a far more robust gospel response than anything the church has come up with.

And now here's a recent statement from Al Mohler on the same subject.

Homosexual or same-sex orientation is itself sinful. It's not morally neutral. It is itself an identity that is incompatible with a biblical understanding of discipleship.

Why Changing Positions Can Still Be a Real Pivot

Now, whether it's this or it's other issues like the response to the virus, or I mean, you could look at Al Mohler's support of Donald Trump in 2020 versus where he was in 2016. There's legitimate reasons for people to change positions on things.

But someone like Al Mohler, though, as smart as he is and not in a developmental stage, I would say, he's pretty subtle. He's been a president of a major seminary for decades. For him to change positions on such fundamental issues, I think, is a little bit different, especially without an acknowledgement, really.

Motives, Orthodoxy, and Preaching the Gospel

I think it's a really good thing that Al Mohler is changing some of his positions to match a more orthodox Christian perspective. Whether it's sincere or not, I agree with Paul when he talked about those preaching the gospel from bad motives.

I think we can actually say that if Al Mohler is supporting true and right things, even if it's from less than honorable motives, good for him.