Perspiring in Class

Yesterday's class with my African professor was extremely anxiety producing. He was lecturing on the effects of Communism and the Cold War on Evangelicalism, and linked the response with how certain Fundamentalists are interpreting the politics of Israel today. We have a Messianic Jew in the class, and so Dr. Hanciles gave her an opportunity to share her perspective on the American Church and the Jews in Israel. The next 20 minutes evolved into an ever increasing state of discomfort for everyone in the class. She is a very passionate person, and her speech and body motions became more and more volatile as she vehemently argued that the Church should be supporting Israel. Finally, Dr. Hanciles tried to interrupt her, but she would just increase her volume slightly. It was at this point that I started to sweat and look down at my desk. My appreciation for her passion turned to agony as Dr. Hanciles kept trying to say something, followed by another increase in volume. I contemplated running out of the room or screaming "Stop!" but neither seemed doable...in a word...I was frozen. It finally ended when she cried, "When they talk about annihilating Israel, they are talking about not just the Jews in Israel, but all of us! They are talking about me! They are after me!" I have no idea what this women's story is, but it certainly seems that she has had an intense life. As for the rest of us, several of us had to debrief the whole situation today. Whew!