Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly »

Gordon Harris, PhD, ThM, is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at North American Baptist Seminary. In addition to being a pastor, missionary, Lions district governor, and retired Army National Guard chaplain, Dr. Harris has served as an Academic Vice President and Director of Doctoral Studies. His teaching and research concentrates in the areas of Old Testament studies and gerontology with a focus on current issues affecting and future trends in ministry and aging persons. Dr. Harris is also the author of Joshua: New International Biblical Commentary as well as numerous articles on aging which have appeared in, among others, Koinonia Review, New Interpreters Bible Dictionary, and Hebrew Studies.

As the population of older Americans grows, meaningful perspectives on aging are needed by both the young and the old. Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly takes a detailed look at the views of aging presented in the Old and New Testaments. This wide ranging and insightful survey encompasses not only the entire Bible but also interpretations of sacred Middle Eastern and Judaic documents. This new expanded edition of the original classic text adds thorough discussions of the wisdom of the Bible and Jewish literature with ways to interpret these readings and what they teach about spirituality and growing older.

Approaches to aging issues have changed in recent years. With the average American lifespan increasing, the view of old age as a solitary time of waiting has been pushed aside. So too has the assumption that the elderly simply want to remember “the good old days.” This updated edition of Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly has expanded its scope to incorporate and address the effects of these changing views. This sweeping study of the Bible’s positive treatment of aging and elderly figures sheds new light on contemporary society’s negative view of the elderly and what can be done about it. Clear examples from both Scripture and literature provide a wealth of understanding, comfort, and wisdom to everyone interested in aging and the Bible. In addition, this new edition explores the changing relationships that exist among aging, hermeneutics, mentoring, and spirituality. The new insights revealed here reinvigorate the challenge against ageism and traditional pictures of old age as a time of withdrawal and living in the past.

Among the issues explored in Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly are aging experiences and the Bible, biblical theology and its role in social support for the elderly, hermeneutics and old age, spirituality and its relationship to aging, cross-generational relationships and mentoring, and a detailed index of Old and New Testament Scripture references.

Accessible and concise, with compelling arguments and numerous examples, Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly is an ideal resource for pastors, seminary students, professionals, and leaders of programs for the elderly. It shows both young and old that while aging may not be easy, Biblical theology can ease some of its mystery.

List of Abbreviations
Editor's Foreword to the First Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction to the First Edition
The Nature of God and Aging Issues
The Bible and Aging Issues: A Cross-disciplinary Approach
Biblical Theology and Aging Issues
Introduction to the Second Edition
Hermeneutics, Aging, and the Bible
Models for Using the Old-age Paradigm
Spirituality and Aging in the Bible
Methods for Discovering Biblical Spirituality
Biblical Narratives As Spirituality Case Studies
Cross-generational Relationships and Mentoring
Implications for Biblical Perspectives on Aging
Chapter 1. Aging Experiences and the Bible
Physical Characteristics of Old Age
Chronological Age and Old Age
Transitions of Life and Old Age
Physical Loss and Old Age
Conclusion
Chapter 2. Attitudes Toward the Elderly in the Ancient Near East
Mesopotamia: Respect Reinforces Authority
Egypt: The Value of Aging Reinforces Respect
Canaan: Shifts in Values Undermine Respect
Conclusion
Chapter 3. God and the Elderly in Israel
Legal Traditions, the Elderly, and Social Structures
Prophetic Communities and Support for Social Structures
Wisdom Literature, the Elderly, and Social Structures
Conclusion
Chapter 4. Threats to the Common Theology of Aging
Aging Stereotypes and the Aging Process
Monarchy and Declining Leadership of the Elderly
Postexilic Pessimism, Death, and Aging
Conclusion
Chapter 5. Israel's Variations on the Common Theology
Care for the Elderly and the God of Justice
Care for the Elderly and Honoring Parents
Unconditional Mandate for Honoring Parentsand Elders
Eschatology and Respect for the Aging
Creation, Eschatology, and Aging
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Two Responses to Respect for the Elderly
Early Christianity and Filial Obedience
Response of Early Judaism to Common Aging Values
Chapter 7. Biblical Theology and a Modern Response
Biblical Theology and Stereotypes
Biblical Theology Affirms Social Support
Biblical Theology Challenges the Elderly to Grow
Conclusion
Notes
Scripture Index
Index