England's Life of Paradox

The attacks of September 11, 2001 are a spectacular reminder that the struggle between religion and politics is alive well in twenty-first century. Eugene England's life, which ended just weeks before those attacks, was very much engaged struggle. Although England not politician or even especially political his opinions, he sought life committed to Christian discipleship as intellectual freedom integrity. These commitments, Kristine Haglund shows her illuminating book about times, often run up against internal religious community external relationships with wider publics. recounts painful personal costs navigating an ethical relationship institutions always pursuing their own interests. She frames this tension one, rightly so, because art sharing other human beings they create. captures immense depth breadth thoughtful Mormon, giving us picture man devoted mission by way dialogue.At base commitment dialogue, evidenced act founding journal, Dialogue: A Journal Mormon Thought, body published scholarship. In works, readers can discover for themselves writer tolerance constantly manifesting spirit conversation compromise. never seemed write if it right anyone else's have last word on subject. His writing evinces openness possibility key characteristic all good conversation. An clearly reasoned discourse make work accessible enjoyable. One sense truly believes practices “I might be wrong” persona emerges from writing. style part parcel expansive version Mormonism allowed him room “antiwar protests, antinuclear actions, feminist activism, working greater academic at BYU” (18). While traces how many attempts peacemaking dialogue failed, artful treatment these failures acts proof concept attempt live peacefully has great merit.It difficult belong institution twelve million persons, roughly number members Church Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints when died, without experiencing some degree difficulty wrestling demands conscience vis-à-vis organization calls sacrifice its members. directly senses Haglund's narrative anguish who sincerely trying do thing, understand whom disagrees spiritual matters, including Bruce R. McConkie, apostle. disagreements offers rich growing pains 1980s 1990s maintain orthodoxy movement emphasizes revelation dictates individual conscience. disagreement McConkie “lays bear sometimes extreme real authoritative doctrinal interpretation lay member's earnest questions ambiguities scriptural prophetic canon” (63). highlights productive himself did want resolved too perfectly. After all, gained we through answering call disciple midst trials, traumas, tribulations, tears. Without offering easy answers, shying away ugly truths institutional power, helps appreciate need, words, “to maturely flawed persons world” (41).Although case makes treating liberal mixed, she masterfully treats controversies life. It cannot denied sincere believer Christ, best may ideas atonement. What demanded, consistent Saint theology, bind God, conscientious ability assent doctrines, thereby “both integrity loyalty” (88). analysis underscores practiced ordinary ways. “England's response,” writes, irresolvable tensions articulates action, particularly practice. argument quite explicitly practice integrates unanswerable into meaningful action—of trying, essaying, proving contraries. Paradoxes resist rational resolutions nevertheless meaningfully lived” (90). By insisting paradox, gestures toward measured view Atonement. This does place limitations possibilities salvation exaltation, but take seriously need see ourselves harnessed improving world alongside “a weeping, compassionate God” (98). emphasized lived saw “Mormonism's genius lies refusing conflate faithfulness orthodoxy” (101).Readers England: Liberal will discovery atonement Christ. Those commitments necessarily involved authorities. wise enough trace remind better off them than them, living paradox preferred comfort oversimplifications. As one first exciting new series University Illinois Press, delivers promise providing short introductions important figures Mormonism.There were two books past year. Terryl Givens's Stretching Heavens: Life Crisis Modern Mormonism, North Carolina Press. Both present similar views same man. address wrestle disciples relates pressures imprimaturs. books, gifts our agency accountability.