Liberal Spirituality: A Personal Odyssey
L. Jackson Newell
Dialogue A Journal of Mormon Thought April 1, 1993 DOI: 10.2307/45228626 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that "liberal spirituality" involves the interdependence of a free and abundant spiritual life and concerns essential values at the core of religious experience as a state of mind and approach to life. The author reflects on his Latter-day Saint heritage as one of several "anvils" that shaped his identity, acknowledging its meaning and strength while quoting Emerson's critique that broad ethics narrow into village theologies preaching election or favoritism. |
Abstract
The broad ethics of Jesus were quickly narrowed to village theologies, which preached an election or favoritism -Emerson Now let us frankly face the fact that our culture is one which is geared in many ways to help us evade any need to face this inner, silent self -Thomas Merton "Liberal spirituality" is the title and theme of this essay.A double entendre is intended -suggesting the interdependence of a free and abundant spiritual life.My aim is to explore the nature and possibilities of liberal spirituality by reflecting on some of the key experiences and major ideas that have shaped my philosophy.I am concerned here with the essential values at the core of religious experience, a state of mind and an approach to life.The Mormon church has been but one of the anvils against which I have forged my identity. Contrasting LegaciesA Latter-day Saint heritage -family and church -can be powerful and good.Temple-centered, missionary-disciplined, and authority-anchored, there is a vision and structure to it that often gives meaning and strength to peoples' lives.Our son Eric, a missionary in Louisiana's bayou country, is seeing the transformative power of this theology and culture as he works with prospective members and new converts to Mormonism there."The