Terryl Givens
Encyclopedia
Terryl Lynn Givens is professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond
where he holds the James A. Bostwick Chair in English
. Givens teaches courses in 19th century studies and literary theory
, and he focused his early research and publications there, but he is best known for his books and articles on Mormon history, culture, and theology.
His book By the Hand of Mormon was the first critique of the Book of Mormon
and its relationship to Mormonism
to be published by a major academic press (Oxford University Press
). His chief contributions include an understanding of the importance of historical claims of the Book of Mormon and dialogic revelation to Mormon theology
.
on April 27, 1957, but spent his childhood in Arizona
and then Virginia
. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in São Paulo, Brazil
. He received his bachelor’s degree in comparative literature
from Brigham Young University
in 1980 and his PhD in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina
in 1988. He accepted a position to teach English literature at the University of Richmond
in the same year, and has lived near Richmond
with his family since then.
and its dissolution in the 19th century. He also published with Putnam a well-regarded children’s book, Dragon Scales and Willow Leaves.
literature from the 19th century to the present, Givens explores the challenge anti-Mormons were presented with in seeking to justify persecutions of a religious sect in a supposedly religiously tolerant nation. His second book, By the Hand of Mormon, is seen as his most important contribution to Mormon studies to date because it is the first academic survey of the significance of the Book of Mormon
to believer and skeptic alike to be published by a major academic press (Oxford University Press). In it, Givens argues that the Book of Mormon has been important primarily for its existence and extra-textual historical claims rather than for its contents. Givens also makes a case for what he calls “dialogic revelation” as a novel contribution of the Book of Mormon. In current projects, he seems to be moving in the direction of broader engagement with religious themes across time and the western religious and philosophical traditions.
, Richard Bushman
, and Harold Bloom
. The New York Times referred to his work as “provocative” and Harper’s praised him for being “fair-minded and unbiased.” Some critics, however, have faulted him for what they see as an apologetic bent. Givens is a practicing Mormon
who served as bishop
in a local congregation for some years.
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
where he holds the James A. Bostwick Chair in English
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
. Givens teaches courses in 19th century studies and literary theory
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
, and he focused his early research and publications there, but he is best known for his books and articles on Mormon history, culture, and theology.
His book By the Hand of Mormon was the first critique of the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
and its relationship to Mormonism
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
to be published by a major academic press (Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
). His chief contributions include an understanding of the importance of historical claims of the Book of Mormon and dialogic revelation to Mormon theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Biography
Terryl Givens was born in rural upstate New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on April 27, 1957, but spent his childhood in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and then Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in São Paulo, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. He received his bachelor’s degree in comparative literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
from Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in 1980 and his PhD in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1988. He accepted a position to teach English literature at the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
in the same year, and has lived near Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
with his family since then.
Early work
Givens's early work focused on literary studies and specifically romanticism. His dissertation and early publications were on the classical theory of mimesisMimesis
Mimesis , from μιμεῖσθαι , "to imitate," from μῖμος , "imitator, actor") is a critical and philosophical term that carries a wide range of meanings, which include imitation, representation, mimicry, imitatio, receptivity, nonsensuous similarity, the act of resembling, the act of expression, and the...
and its dissolution in the 19th century. He also published with Putnam a well-regarded children’s book, Dragon Scales and Willow Leaves.
Later work (Mormon history)
Givens published his first book - The Viper on the Hearth - in 1997 and with it shifted his research emphasis to the intersection of literary and religious studies. Using his background in literary criticism to survey anti-MormonAnti-Mormon
Anti-Mormonism is discrimination, persecution, hostility or prejudice directed at members of the Latter Day Saint movement, particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
literature from the 19th century to the present, Givens explores the challenge anti-Mormons were presented with in seeking to justify persecutions of a religious sect in a supposedly religiously tolerant nation. His second book, By the Hand of Mormon, is seen as his most important contribution to Mormon studies to date because it is the first academic survey of the significance of the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
to believer and skeptic alike to be published by a major academic press (Oxford University Press). In it, Givens argues that the Book of Mormon has been important primarily for its existence and extra-textual historical claims rather than for its contents. Givens also makes a case for what he calls “dialogic revelation” as a novel contribution of the Book of Mormon. In current projects, he seems to be moving in the direction of broader engagement with religious themes across time and the western religious and philosophical traditions.
Critical response
General critical response to Givens work has been favorable from fellow scholars like Jan ShippsJan Shipps
Jo Ann Barnett "Jan" Shipps is an American historian specializing in Mormon History, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century to the present. Shipps is generally regarded as the foremost non-Mormon scholar of the Latter Day Saint movement, having given particular attention to The...
, Richard Bushman
Richard Bushman
Richard Lyman Bushman is an American historian and Gouverneur Morris Professor of History emeritus at Columbia University. He is currently the Howard W. Hunter Visiting Professor in Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University...
, and Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom is an American writer and literary critic, and is Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. He is known for his defense of 19th-century Romantic poets, his unique and controversial theories of poetic influence, and his prodigious literary output, particularly for a literary...
. The New York Times referred to his work as “provocative” and Harper’s praised him for being “fair-minded and unbiased.” Some critics, however, have faulted him for what they see as an apologetic bent. Givens is a practicing Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
who served as bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in a local congregation for some years.
Books
- The Viper on the Hearth: Mormons, Myths, and the Construction of Heresy Oxford University Press, 1997. ISBN 978-0195101836
- By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0195138184
- The Latter-day Saint Experience in America Greenwood Press, 2004. ISBN 978-0313327506
- People of Paradox: A History of Mormon Culture Oxford University Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0195167115
- The Book of Mormon: A Very Short Introduction Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0195369311
- When Souls Had Wings: Pre-Mortal Existence in Western Thought. Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, 2010. ISBN 978-0195313901
External links
- Professional web site
- Featured extensively in the PBS Frontline documentary The Mormons