Liberal Abbreviations
Today I received my Theology of the Pentateuch final in my box. I already knew the grade for the course, but it was nice to be able to look at the graded final. In fact, in induced a significant amount of mirth into my day. In a question on Adonai’s “warfare” against Pharaoh/the gods of Egypt I had made mention of Ramses II, “who ruled in the 13th Century B.C.E.” My professor circled B.C.E. and wrote the following note:
“This is a liberal abbreviation which avoids acknowledging the centrality of Christ (B.C.). Do you want to make such a statement by using it?”
Putting aside for the moments the veracity of such a claim, I laughed for a good five minutes upon reading that note. I had not realized that there were such things in the world as liberal abbreviations. In fairness, another professor here at GCTS encourages students to use B.C.E.. Still, the term “liberal abbreviation” will always hold a special place in my heart.
That is hilarious.
I thought the only “liberal” abbreviations in regard to the Pentateuch were J, E, D, and P!!!
Your prof is right. That abbreviation would vote for Obama and want to legalize gay, group, and multi-species marriage. Watch out!
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Update 6/7/08 | EarlBarnett.com said this on June 7, 2008 at 6:49 am |
oh my
OMG
You could always play dumb and claim you thought it stood for “Before the Christian Era.” I use it all the time in my writing, so I guess that makes me a liberal too.
@Doug – Oddly enough, a person in a class that this professor was teaching said, “Well…couldn’t BCE just stand for ‘before the Christian era?’” To which the professor replied, “God’s providence against the liberals! Amen!” *shakes head*
This is scary groupthink.