Therapeutic Theological Thought

by Penrod

Motto: “All therapy ends badly.” — Sigmund Freud

Dear Friends (To the 1993 Annual Meeting of Pietisten, Inc.):

I suppose the editors expect some sort of word from me — perhaps even my attendance — at the first annual meeting of Pietisten. I acknowledge no such obligation. Not duty, then, but friendliness and responsibility (the servant of freedom) are my motives for sending this word of greeting and a few thoughts and comments to the annual meeting. The editors have my instructions to print this letter in the next issue as well. Because they are always a bit nervous about space, I have instructed them to print this as “therapeutic theological thought,” which it is, so that I will not “burden” them with more. I apologize to the readers who will be deprived of more specific therapeutic theology in the Fall issue.

The editors seem to want to sidestep any responsibility for me, and with that, I suppose, any genuine measure of support. They say, for example, I send them stuff that I expect them to print as if for some reason it is my decision, not theirs, that they print it. I will be surprised if something like “We have received a letter from Penrod to this meeting that he expects us to read” is not said before this letter is read. What can be said about this posture on the editors’ part other than “spineless”? What can be said that will reassure the reader that, somewhere obviously not yet discovered, there is an editorial policy? What can be said? Nothing. The truth is self-evident to those who have eyes to see.

Please do not misunderstand me, however. I am not complaining about the content of this journal. I am merely, by this example, observing that an editorial policy seems beyond discovery.

This said, I do find the conversation fun. There are many excellent articles, especially from contributors who are not among the editors. I would, however, desire a little more acknowledgement from you readers, to say nothing of the editors, regarding the value of my contribution to your lives.

Have a good meeting.

Yours truly, Penrod