Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly
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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
