Exploring Mormon Thought: The Problems With Theism And the Love of God (vol. 2)

In volume 2 of the three volume series, Exploring Mormon Thought: The Problems of Theism and the Love of God, Blake Ostler explores issues related to soteriology, or the theory of salvation. He argues that the commitment that God loves us and respects our dignity as persons entails that God must leave us free to choose whether to have a saving relationship with him. He explores the “logic of love” and argues that the LDS doctrine of a “war in heaven” embodies the commitment that God leaves us free to choose whether to enter into relationship with God. He explores the nature of inter-personal prayer and the contributions of LDS beliefs to a robust prayer dialogue. He offers a view consistent with LDS commitments that make sense out of asking God to assist others, to alter the natural environment to grow in relationship with God. He then turns to the concept of grace and argues that the traditional views lead to insurmountable problems. He argues that though God does not owe any obligation to us to give us grace, God does so out of love. However, because divinity arises from loving relationships, he argues that God could not fail to give sufficient grace to all persons and remain a loving God.

Blake T. Ostler is a practicing attorney specializing in educational law, employment law and intellectual property. He holds a J.D. from the University of Utah. He has published widely on Mormon philosophy in journals such as Religious Studies, International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion, Dialogue: Journal of Mormon Thought, BYU Studies and FARMS Review of Books.

Blake T. Ostler is a praciticing attorney specializingin educational law, employment law and intellectual property. He holds a J.D. from the University of Utah. His books include Exploring Mormon Thought: The Attributes of God, Vol 1; Exploring Mormon Thought, Vol.3 (Kofford Books, forthcoming); Refractions of Light from the Restoration: Collected essays of Blake T. Ostler, Vols 1 & 2 (Kofford Books, forthcoming). He has published widely on Mormon philosophy in journals such as Religious Studies, International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion, Dialogue: Journal of Mormon Thought, BYU Studies, and FARMS Review of Books.