Wrestling the Angel: The Foundations of Mormon Thought: Cosmos, God, Humanity
Wrestling the Angel: The Foundations of Mormon Thought: Cosmos, God, Humanity
Overview
Description
Editorial Reviews
Givens has embraced a certain reading of the Mormon intellectual project and has found the tools of the academy a means for its expression...Therefore, scholarship is an essential tool for fully comprehending Mormonism's truths. These moments reveal that Givens is as much a Mormon intellectual as a
scholar of Mormonism, and like Lowry Nelson or Juanita Brooks has taken upon himself the task of vitalizing his tradition by healing the wound ripped open in the Arrington era. -- Matthew Bowman,
Nova Religio
[A]s an introduction 'to the intellectual richness and depth of Mormonism's theological heritage' (p. xi), Givens' volume has much to recommend it Undoubtedly,
Wrestling the Angel will spark considerable debate within the Mormon tradition, but it will also be of great interest to scholars of
Mormonism, New Religious Movements, and American religion in general, as well as to those working in comparative theology. It will likewise be useful for graduate seminars on these topics since it will undoubtedly inspire some interesting and lively discussions about this fascinating, complex
American tradition.--Brian C. Wilson,
Religion
A sweeping survey ambitiously conceived, ably crafted, capable of unlocking new mental worlds.
Wrestling the Angel finally puts a fair assessment of the 'Mormon mind' on full display...[A] magisterial project.--
Nova Religio
Terryl Givens, an unusually creative and eloquent exponent of the Mormon thought he outlines in
Wrestling the Angel.--
Journal of Religion
[A] wonderful and capacious contextualization of Mormon theology...I found it a distinct pleasure to work through Givens's work and to witness the Mormon theological tradition emerge from those pages with the kind of complexity and integrity that it rightly deserves.--
Mormon Studies Review
Givens successfully tackles a mountain of logistical, chronological, and topical challenges in an astonishing work of scholarship. This comprehensive and impressive volume is fundamental in the study of an important, multifaceted, and understudied piece of religious history. --
Library Journal
Givens has given us a hugely impressive, erudite and systematic work. He shows us the vast and complex landscape of this most extraordinary and most American of religions. Through this monumental work we experience the sheer scale and audacity of Mormon cosmology and theology and how this
transforms our understanding of divine nature and human nature alike. --Simon Critchley, Hans Jonas Professor, The New School for Social Research
Givens has provided the most thorough and expert accounting of Mormonism's place in the Christian thought-world. The book raises the bar for those who would challenge Mormonism's status as a Christian faith. For the rest of us, who simply want to understand Mormonism, it is a welcome gift of fine
scholarship. --Kathleen Flake, Richard Lyman Bushman Professor in Mormon Studies, University of Virginia
We--general readers and scholars--need a lucid survey of the Latter-day Saints' complex doctrinal developments. We also need work that places the whole of Mormon theology in conversation with Western culture and historic Christian thought. We now have both in one remarkable, rewarding book.
--David Holland, Associate Professor of North American Religious History, Harvard Divinity School
In a sweep of enormous scope Givens takes Mormon thought from the cultural world of its nineteenth century American emergence through theological debates on orthodoxy-heresy amongst the early Christian Fathers to Protestantism's heyday and to today's Latter-day Saint distinctiveness. --Douglas J.
Davies, author of
The Mormon Culture of Salvation
Terryl Givens' careful and detailed account succeeds admirably in its goal of presenting the origins and development of Mormon theology clearly. The book is particularly welcome for giving readers a solid sense of where Latter-day Saint theology aligns with, and differs from, the theologies of
main Christian traditions. --Mark A. Noll, author of
America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln
Terryl Givens's scholarship is magisterial, yet this book brilliantly synthesizes key themes in Mormon thought in a way which is accessible and engaging for the non-specialist reader. An essential study of contemporary Mormon religious thought and its origins which should be read by any serious
student of comparative Christian traditions. --Fenella Cannell, Associate Professor of Anthropology, London School of Economics and Political Science
Givens, possibly the most significant voice in the field of Mormon studies, has previously explained Mormonism by way of scripture, history, and philosophy. Here, he turns his attention to theology, a more difficult proposition than it sounds, since Mormons tend to emphasize practical living rather
than theological speculation and believe in continuing revelation...What emerges is a complex, nuanced picture of a dynamic faith. --
Publishers Weekly
Wrestling the Angel not only succeeds in providing the most comprehensive and rigorous overview of Mormonism's theological tradition, but it is, in the end, a key contribution--perhaps the most important contribution in the last half-century--to that very tradition. --
The Juvenile Instructor
Givens does the world a great service by formalizing a very informal theology through remarkable literary artistry. Whether you are interested in tuning into current Mormon studies or looking for a helpful missiological resource,
Wrestling will serve you well.-- Kyle R. Beshears,
Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary
Wrestling the Angel is a masterful attempt to grapple with a challenging but fundamentally important topic: situating Mormon thought in the history of Christianity. I greatly look forward to the next volume.--
Journal of Mormon History
About the Author
Terryl L. Givens is Professor of Literature and Religion and Jabez A. Bostwick Chair of English at the University of Richmond. His books on Mormonism and American religious culture include
By the Hand of Mormon,
People of Paradox,
Parley P. Pratt (with Matthew Grow), and
Viper on the Hearth.
By the Hand of Mormon,
People of Paradox,
Parley P. Pratt (with Matthew Grow), and
Viper on the Hearth.
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
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- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Overview
Description
Editorial Reviews
Givens has embraced a certain reading of the Mormon intellectual project and has found the tools of the academy a means for its expression...Therefore, scholarship is an essential tool for fully comprehending Mormonism's truths. These moments reveal that Givens is as much a Mormon intellectual as a
scholar of Mormonism, and like Lowry Nelson or Juanita Brooks has taken upon himself the task of vitalizing his tradition by healing the wound ripped open in the Arrington era. -- Matthew Bowman,
Nova Religio
[A]s an introduction 'to the intellectual richness and depth of Mormonism's theological heritage' (p. xi), Givens' volume has much to recommend it Undoubtedly,
Wrestling the Angel will spark considerable debate within the Mormon tradition, but it will also be of great interest to scholars of
Mormonism, New Religious Movements, and American religion in general, as well as to those working in comparative theology. It will likewise be useful for graduate seminars on these topics since it will undoubtedly inspire some interesting and lively discussions about this fascinating, complex
American tradition.--Brian C. Wilson,
Religion
A sweeping survey ambitiously conceived, ably crafted, capable of unlocking new mental worlds.
Wrestling the Angel finally puts a fair assessment of the 'Mormon mind' on full display...[A] magisterial project.--
Nova Religio
Terryl Givens, an unusually creative and eloquent exponent of the Mormon thought he outlines in
Wrestling the Angel.--
Journal of Religion
[A] wonderful and capacious contextualization of Mormon theology...I found it a distinct pleasure to work through Givens's work and to witness the Mormon theological tradition emerge from those pages with the kind of complexity and integrity that it rightly deserves.--
Mormon Studies Review
Givens successfully tackles a mountain of logistical, chronological, and topical challenges in an astonishing work of scholarship. This comprehensive and impressive volume is fundamental in the study of an important, multifaceted, and understudied piece of religious history. --
Library Journal
Givens has given us a hugely impressive, erudite and systematic work. He shows us the vast and complex landscape of this most extraordinary and most American of religions. Through this monumental work we experience the sheer scale and audacity of Mormon cosmology and theology and how this
transforms our understanding of divine nature and human nature alike. --Simon Critchley, Hans Jonas Professor, The New School for Social Research
Givens has provided the most thorough and expert accounting of Mormonism's place in the Christian thought-world. The book raises the bar for those who would challenge Mormonism's status as a Christian faith. For the rest of us, who simply want to understand Mormonism, it is a welcome gift of fine
scholarship. --Kathleen Flake, Richard Lyman Bushman Professor in Mormon Studies, University of Virginia
We--general readers and scholars--need a lucid survey of the Latter-day Saints' complex doctrinal developments. We also need work that places the whole of Mormon theology in conversation with Western culture and historic Christian thought. We now have both in one remarkable, rewarding book.
--David Holland, Associate Professor of North American Religious History, Harvard Divinity School
In a sweep of enormous scope Givens takes Mormon thought from the cultural world of its nineteenth century American emergence through theological debates on orthodoxy-heresy amongst the early Christian Fathers to Protestantism's heyday and to today's Latter-day Saint distinctiveness. --Douglas J.
Davies, author of
The Mormon Culture of Salvation
Terryl Givens' careful and detailed account succeeds admirably in its goal of presenting the origins and development of Mormon theology clearly. The book is particularly welcome for giving readers a solid sense of where Latter-day Saint theology aligns with, and differs from, the theologies of
main Christian traditions. --Mark A. Noll, author of
America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln
Terryl Givens's scholarship is magisterial, yet this book brilliantly synthesizes key themes in Mormon thought in a way which is accessible and engaging for the non-specialist reader. An essential study of contemporary Mormon religious thought and its origins which should be read by any serious
student of comparative Christian traditions. --Fenella Cannell, Associate Professor of Anthropology, London School of Economics and Political Science
Givens, possibly the most significant voice in the field of Mormon studies, has previously explained Mormonism by way of scripture, history, and philosophy. Here, he turns his attention to theology, a more difficult proposition than it sounds, since Mormons tend to emphasize practical living rather
than theological speculation and believe in continuing revelation...What emerges is a complex, nuanced picture of a dynamic faith. --
Publishers Weekly
Wrestling the Angel not only succeeds in providing the most comprehensive and rigorous overview of Mormonism's theological tradition, but it is, in the end, a key contribution--perhaps the most important contribution in the last half-century--to that very tradition. --
The Juvenile Instructor
Givens does the world a great service by formalizing a very informal theology through remarkable literary artistry. Whether you are interested in tuning into current Mormon studies or looking for a helpful missiological resource,
Wrestling will serve you well.-- Kyle R. Beshears,
Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary
Wrestling the Angel is a masterful attempt to grapple with a challenging but fundamentally important topic: situating Mormon thought in the history of Christianity. I greatly look forward to the next volume.--
Journal of Mormon History
About the Author
Terryl L. Givens is Professor of Literature and Religion and Jabez A. Bostwick Chair of English at the University of Richmond. His books on Mormonism and American religious culture include
By the Hand of Mormon,
People of Paradox,
Parley P. Pratt (with Matthew Grow), and
Viper on the Hearth.
By the Hand of Mormon,
People of Paradox,
Parley P. Pratt (with Matthew Grow), and
Viper on the Hearth.
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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