[September 2001 journal entry]
I recently learned about a pastoral psychologist who is a faculty member at an evangelical college and also a staff member for a very theologically conservative Presbyterian church. I was told by a mutual acquaintance (1) that he has taken the position of valuing/retaining a place within this ‘community of faith’ even if he has to remain silent re numerous theological issues, (2) that he knows that no one is rewarded to think critically at his college or in his church, (3) that he puts issues such as tragic human suffering in what he calls a ‘mystery box’, (4) that he accepts that most individuals want a protective perimeter around their ‘religious’ beliefs, (5) that he would have a lot at stake if he challenged either the college or the church. What kind of friend could/would he be to a ‘scrapheap’ Job?