Humour in the Old Testament

It’s a funny old world in the Seminary. In fact my neighbour has just written a book called, “El humor en el Antiguo Testamento” (Humour in the Old Testament). And recently one of our charismatic teachers had me smiling all day when she announced we should all fast on a particular occasion, not realizing it was the cook’s last day before retirement.

Then the authoritarianism of the place never ceases to enliven things. Letters arrive on minor matters with signatures that look like those on a Bill of Rights. Communications are sent calling meetings with no explanation, as if everyone were a subversive. Terse emails go out keeping offenders right. And consultation is so rare that a colleague commented about leaving her mind at the Seminary gates.

The interesting thing is the effect it has on you. The products of authoritarianism are a loss of team-work and increased individualism. Exactly the kind of thing that Latin Americans are famous for.

And everyone just keeps on laughing.

Photo: Always something to have a laugh about