"So life continues one, much as it has..."
I had a wonderful time in Biblical Literature today. It is tought by Dr. Hummel, an intense, knowledgable, and Baptistical Professor. We were being lectured on the use of narrative in the Old Testament historical books. One of the subpoints in his lecture concerned Allegory. He explained that, although stories may contain symbolism and spiritual meaning, they are historical events, not Allegories. I raised my hand and noted that Paul had used the word "Allegory" in his interpretation of Sarah and Hagar as the New and Old Covenants. (Gal. 4:22) Dr. Hummel assured me that Paul was really using more of an Analogy.
At this point I noticed a chuckle from the back of the room. Turning, I discovered Dr. Watson was standing just outside the classroom door. He was grinning.
For those of you who don't know Dr. Watson, he was my professor for Reading the Bible as Literature, a class I took last semester which concerned non-Baptists methods of examining Scripture. Among the subjects discussed was that of Allegory. Indeed, we debated and contested it at some length in that class. That is why I interjected in Biblical Literature as I did. And, through some twist of fate, my old mentor was there to hear my retort.
Dr. Hummel smiled a genuine, albeit slightly pained, smile upon discovering his unseen watcher. Dr. Watson explained to the class that "Dr. Hummel gets the heebie-jeebies whenever I mention allegory." We turned to Dr. Hummel for confirmation. "Allegory!" quoth Watson. "Eieieie..." sputtered Hummel, backing away from his desk and nearly hitting the wall.
With a smile and a calming wave of his hand Dr. Watson vanished, leaving me with a distinct feeling of moral victory.
After class Dr. Hummel detained me and explained in further detail Paul's use of the Greek word "allegoreo" in place of the word for analogy. I smiled and nodded, now was not the time for a theological debate with Dr. Hummel. (Is there ever a time for that?) I escaped quickly and breathed a sigh of relief. In my heart a felt a gladness. I had witnessed a battle of giants, and even interacted, without sustaining mental injury. As I left Heath-Hardwick, I knew I was being watched. Dr. Hummel was not so naive to think I had been converted from my errant old-religion ways with a few light words. Biblical Literature was now a chessboard.