An initial explosion of indignation at the effrontery of Joseph Epstein advising Jill Biden, Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) to stop calling herself “Doctor,” gave way to the realization that his statement was silly, probablystemming from jealousy that he could not claim the title himself. High School Latin One taught that the verb “to lead” was doceo, docçre, doci, doctus, so a “doctor” was a leader or teacher. Looking at my “bragwall” centered by the diploma naming me a “Juris Doctor” (J.D.), Itook Epstein’s disrespect personally. I was also angry on behalf of my “Doctor” daughter (Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy,) my grandson in the process of earning the French equivalent of a D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine), any “Rev. Dr.” who has earned a D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) for advanced study in theology as well as the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) required for ordination in our denominations, and all the countless other “doctors” who over the centuries have devoted time, energy and plain hard work to study their subjects in depth. What right does this N.D. (No advanced Degree) have to denigrate their accomplishments, even “jokingly”? Obviously, I also take issue with CNN which admits sharing Epstein’s bias against anyone not an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine.) I do not disparage medical doctors that their practice is a johnny-come-lately to the learned arts because its efficacy depends on fairly recent scientific advancements. However, there were “doctors” of other disciplines long before healers earned the title. So what does this all have to do with Jesus, a Galilean peasant who did not have a degree from an accredited university (before there were accredited universities)? I’m going to presumptuously suggest his teaching qualifications came from God, and there was no higher educating authority. Therefore, he could have claimed the somewhat anachronistic title “Doctor” if he wanted to. Jesus was also a healer, a practitioner of what medicine there was at his time. Remember how he healed the deaf-mute by sticking his fingers in his ears, spitting, and touching his tongue while saying “Be opened” (Mark 7:33-35) and the blind man by spitting in his eyes – twice (Mark 8:22-25.) He healed a deranged man by exorcism (Luke 8:27-33.) Miracles, yes, but Jesus was as close as one got to a medical doctor in his day (even though we have no indication he ever delivered a baby, then the purview of lowly midwives – women.) Jesus was a “doctor” in the many senses of the word. Other “doctors” should be recognized, too.
Lyn Pickhover, Still Sputtering