"the Death of Satan (And Other Casual Reflections)" (News and Announcements) (Editor of Christianity and Literature Steps Down‪)‬

When earlier this month Jill Baumgaertner was preparing the program for this luncheon and inquired whether I had a title for my talk, I sensed a quizzical silence at the other end of our email connection when I proposed "The Death of Satan." Too portentous by far, I thought even then, especially for so convivial an occasion as this. What I should have assured her then, as I do now to everyone gathered here, is that my vaguely eighteenth-century subtitle--"(and Other Casual Reflections")--is probably a more accurate indicator of what will follow. Toward the end I later will be taking as my cue Wallace Stevens' observation that "the death of Satan was a tragedy for the imagination," but first and last my comments will be framed in the form of an open letter to Paul Contino and Maire Mullins, who will be succeeding me effective next autumn at the editorial helm of Christianity and Literature. I promise, in other words, that nothing to come will verge, even remotely, on the apocalyptic. Before proceeding any further, I want publicly to thank Paul and Maire, as well as Darryl and Anne Tippens, for so graciously hosting my three-day visit to Pepperdine University's campus last August. During my time there we were able to discuss the innumerable details involved in C&L's day-today management and, just as importantly, its pending migration from the Southeast to the Pacific coast. In the true spirit of California hospitality, Provost and Mrs. Tippens kindly opened their mountaintop home to me throughout my stay. As a result of such canny foresight and planning by those whom I have just mentioned, the journal should enjoy an uncomplicated transition to its new home in Malibu.