Anyone desiring to understand more about Mormon Christianity could find no better guides than Terryl and Fiona Givens. Enriched with luminous insights from Western literature and philosophy. A lovely book! Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard and former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Reading this book is like experiencing Mormonism in high definition. By masterfully weaving together insights from the best books scripture and literature, theology and philosophy Terryl and Fiona Givens bring new depth to the fundamentals of their faith. Whether you know a lot or a little about Latter-day Saint doctrine, this book will both educate and inspire you. David E. Campbell, author of American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us What if God were everything we are, only perfectly so? And what if those perfections included our vulnerability, our suffering, and our joy? In the Givens masterful hands, the Mormon view of God comes alive in fresh and challenging ways. Mainstream Christians have much to learn from Mormonism, and this book is the place to start. Stephen H. Webb, author of Jesus Christ, Eternal God The God Who Weeps is unlike any book you ve read. The authors, Terryl and Fiona Givens, share five fundamental truths about the universe that their Mormon faith has taught them. Woven together into a coherent tapestry, we find these fundamental truths a compelling, inspiring, and reasonable picture suggesting who presides over this universe, where we came from, why we are here, and what might await us.
The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Terryl Givens (PhD Comparative Literature, UNC Chapel Hill) holds the James A. Bostwick chair of English and is professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond. Author of several books, his writing has been praised by the New York Times as provocative reading, and includes, most recently, When Souls Had Wings, a history of the idea of premortal life in Western thought, and a biography (with Matthew Grow) of Parley Pratt (winner of the 2012 Best Book Award from the Mormon History Association). Fiona Givens (MA European History, University of Richmond) recently retired from directing the French Language program at Patrick Henry High School, in Ashland Virginia. Besides education, she has worked in translation services, as a lobbyist, and as communications director of a non-profit. A longtime collaborator in Terryls previous books, this is her first coauthorship.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By sdone
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In John 17:3 One reads: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Despite this seeming injunction to KNOW God, many would push Him away into such a far place in their attempt to glorify His image that He becomes neither possible to know nor even remotely interested in us, either as a group or as individuals. In this little gem Terryl and Fiona Givens remind us that it is possible for us as children of God to know our Father and to be about His business, the business of finding eternal life which actually began in the far distant past. We continue that quest in this vale of tears separated from the only true source of happiness. They remind us that we see through a glass darkly at first, but that we can come to know even as we are known and that it is not just an idle statement, that we can know God. It does not lessen His greatness or glory, but rather adds to it. They poignantly remind us that we can be "joint heirs with Christ if it so be that we suffer with him that we may be glorified together."
With erudition and sensitivity they take us on a journey through scripture and literary comment that helps us to be aware of what we knew and what we can know regarding this most important of all truth. The beauty of their work is in its validity and in realizing that the truly great thinkers of all time knew the source of their wisdom and what gave them utterance. When scholars would give us a picture of deity that is so far removed from anything understandable nor even possible to love the Givens remind us of our relationship to this God we worship and His divine Son, a relationship that not only allows, but begs for our understanding. This does not lower nor degrade the glory of God, but enhances His greatness when we truly realize the vastness of His love. The God we worship not only feels all we feel and by similar processes, wills us to feel all He feels. The spectrum of affection, presently limited in us is filled out completely in Him, not because He is less personal than we, but because He is more. That this should be a threat to one's understanding or the scholars as they explain God to us only evidences that fact that the god they explain is not the God who would have us know and love Him. This God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was their friend and He can be "known even as we are known."
This is one book (I read it on my Kindle) which as I followed my course through it, I actually regretted seeing my coming to its end. I wanted more, not because they did not cover the subject, but because of the way I felt as I read its pages and marveled at its content. It rang true to my soul which rejoiced in its message. Why, this was and is the essence of the entire struggle. We are strangers in a strange land, sojourners separated from our kind as we follow the admonition of Paul to the Philippians: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. It is with fear and trembling we often approach this subject, but the Givens remind us that we are approaching a loving parent. This should and will bring joy.
In times of extreme, trouble or joy, this message will bring great happiness and it is a book to be read when searching for answers or longing for joy. If you really want food for the soul and a richness of understanding of what we may really be about, pick up this book. You will not be able to put it down. My only regret is that I read it so fast, since I could NOT put it down. I am going to read it again and probably again. As life has its ups and downs this gem will remind us of the glory that is in each one of us and ALL of God's children, everyone who walks this earth. We all share that divine spark.
With erudition and sensitivity they take us on a journey through scripture and literary comment that helps us to be aware of what we knew and what we can know regarding this most important of all truth. The beauty of their work is in its validity and in realizing that the truly great thinkers of all time knew the source of their wisdom and what gave them utterance. When scholars would give us a picture of deity that is so far removed from anything understandable nor even possible to love the Givens remind us of our relationship to this God we worship and His divine Son, a relationship that not only allows, but begs for our understanding. This does not lower nor degrade the glory of God, but enhances His greatness when we truly realize the vastness of His love. The God we worship not only feels all we feel and by similar processes, wills us to feel all He feels. The spectrum of affection, presently limited in us is filled out completely in Him, not because He is less personal than we, but because He is more. That this should be a threat to one's understanding or the scholars as they explain God to us only evidences that fact that the god they explain is not the God who would have us know and love Him. This God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was their friend and He can be "known even as we are known."
This is one book (I read it on my Kindle) which as I followed my course through it, I actually regretted seeing my coming to its end. I wanted more, not because they did not cover the subject, but because of the way I felt as I read its pages and marveled at its content. It rang true to my soul which rejoiced in its message. Why, this was and is the essence of the entire struggle. We are strangers in a strange land, sojourners separated from our kind as we follow the admonition of Paul to the Philippians: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. It is with fear and trembling we often approach this subject, but the Givens remind us that we are approaching a loving parent. This should and will bring joy.
In times of extreme, trouble or joy, this message will bring great happiness and it is a book to be read when searching for answers or longing for joy. If you really want food for the soul and a richness of understanding of what we may really be about, pick up this book. You will not be able to put it down. My only regret is that I read it so fast, since I could NOT put it down. I am going to read it again and probably again. As life has its ups and downs this gem will remind us of the glory that is in each one of us and ALL of God's children, everyone who walks this earth. We all share that divine spark.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By SciFiFan
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Terryl and Fiona Givens provide profound insight into the nature of God, our relation to Him, and the meaning of life. Their prose is clear and flowing, building logically from one illuminating concept to the next. Their case that faith is a conscious choice, and must necessarily be so in order to preserve freedom and agency, is inspiring.
Though perhaps less intellectually rigorous an apologia than Alvin Plantinga provides, here the Givens are his equal in presenting logically and clearly the case for the existence of God, and the nature of God as necessarily comprehensible, loving, and concerned for His children.
While written from a Mormon perspective, it is in no way a sectarian sermon or argument. The Givens' tone of gentle persuasion and clear logic is very reminiscent of C.S. Lewis.
This book's rightful place is with the best of Christian literature, and deserves to be read by anyone of any belief system who is concerned about the big questions of life.
Though perhaps less intellectually rigorous an apologia than Alvin Plantinga provides, here the Givens are his equal in presenting logically and clearly the case for the existence of God, and the nature of God as necessarily comprehensible, loving, and concerned for His children.
While written from a Mormon perspective, it is in no way a sectarian sermon or argument. The Givens' tone of gentle persuasion and clear logic is very reminiscent of C.S. Lewis.
This book's rightful place is with the best of Christian literature, and deserves to be read by anyone of any belief system who is concerned about the big questions of life.
24 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
START THIS BOOK IN CHAPTERS 3-5 THEN READ CHAPTERS 1-2! JUST SAYIN'
I have had a couple of people now tell me that this book is a little hard to get into...And I tend to agree...
BUT...
Once you get to chapters 3-5 you can't put it down!
Amazing thoughts on who the God we worship is and how he LOVES his children~~US!
AND...How he wants us to be HAPPY!
If you have started this book...and have put it down...pick it back up and skip to chapter 3...
You will be happy you didn't give up on this book :)
I have had a couple of people now tell me that this book is a little hard to get into...And I tend to agree...
BUT...
Once you get to chapters 3-5 you can't put it down!
Amazing thoughts on who the God we worship is and how he LOVES his children~~US!
AND...How he wants us to be HAPPY!
If you have started this book...and have put it down...pick it back up and skip to chapter 3...
You will be happy you didn't give up on this book :)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very interesting read
I read this book out loud to my wife at bed time to ease her convalesience while recovering from surgery. Read more
Published 1 day ago by John C Orton
5.0 out of 5 stars
enlightening
I love the insight. Opened up for me a new way of thinking. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Published 7 days ago by RB
5.0 out of 5 stars
I haven't seen the book yet, but. . .
My father has not been willing to part with it or stop recommending it to everyone he knows. I cannot wait to read it, I may have to buy another copy to be able to.
Published 7 days ago by Curtis Baugh
5.0 out of 5 stars
eye opening and provocative
I had to read this book slowly over a period of time so that I could properly digest the ideas that were presented. Read more
Published 11 days ago by B. EGBERT
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally a book that pulls it all together!
This is the best, most well written book to describe the Mormon philosophy. Written almost in C.S. Lewis style, it gives unique insights and perspectives into our standard... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Mark Calkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
A broader, more inclusive vision of my faith
I've never read a book like this before but it's timing in my life was perfect - right around when the Sandy Hook Elementary school massacre happened the same day a dear high... Read more
Published 12 days ago by TBC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely philosophy
A beautifully written, thought provoking book. If you're looking for something spiritually uplifting that focuses on love rather than dogma, this is your read. Highly recommended!
Published 13 days ago by Jennifer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Alternate Subtitles
As my star-rating suggests, I disagree with most reviewers here. Many reviews (here and elsewhere) say that The God Who Weeps is a great book for skeptics like me. Read more
Published 19 days ago by A reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful book
This book is both intellectually satisfying and beautifully written. Expansive and concrete, it explains the fundamental core of Mormonism better than anything I have read. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Joan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
A beautiful vision of God and his love for all of his children, everyone here on earth. Very well written.
Published 1 month ago by Debrakluit
