Letters of C. G. Jung: Volume 2, 1951-1961
Walter Uhsadel
Dear Pastor Uhsadel, 6 February 1952
It is extraordinarily kind of you to wish to dedicate your book to me, and I would gladly accept this dedication if I were certain that you would be equally pleased in the future.
My wife has pointed out that this might possibly not be the case and I have to agree with her.
A controversial book of mine is to appear shortly, entitled Answer to Job.
Unfortunately I cannot tell you in detail what I have written In it, but can only hint that this book is a very critical discussion of the Old Testament Yahweh and of the Christian appropriation of this God-concept.
I have shown the MS to three theologians and they were shocked.
On the other hand many younger people had a very positive reaction.
But I can imagine that in circles where thinking and feeling are orthodox my book could have a devastating effect -both for me and for all those with whom I have close relationships.
I wouldn’t like to expose you to this danger without cause.
Therefore I would ask you to think twice about it.
The motive for my book was an increasingly urgent feeling of responsibility which in the end I could no longer withstand.
Nor could I, like Albert Schweitzer, seek suitable refuge far away from Europe and open a practice there.
On the time-honoured principle Hie Rhodus, hie salta, I had to resign myself to looking the problem of the modern Christian in the eye.
So perhaps you had better wait until the book is out.
Meanwhile with kind regards and best thanks,
Yours sincerely,
C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. II, Pages 39-40.
