Good News: Aging through a Theological Lens

Introduction “Get out of the way old man”: Understandable when aging viewed through lens of capacities--physical, intellectual, and productivity.

Introduction continued Another Lens: Theological: What does mean to view aging as part of God’s gift/plan? Will draw on two resources: de Lang and Warren Kinghorn Aging through our theological tradition/lens: Creation, Imago Dei, Incarnation

Creation as Gift from God and Therefore Good Two Traditional Readings of Genesis 1-3: Creation and Fall 1. Augustinian (Influential in Western Christianity Creation was originally good/perfect, no natural evil or challenges Adam and Eve charged with maintaining that perfection Fall corrupted whole creation and punishment was both physical death (mortality) and spiritual death (“total depravity) Goal of salvation is to restore perfection lost in the Fall

Creation as Gift from God and Therefore Good continued 2. Irenean (Influential in Eastern Christianity) Earth was created as “vale for soul-making,” containing all that is needed to support life, but also contains “challenges” to provoke growth. Adam and Eve created as innocent children. All capacities necessary to grow and were intended to develop both mature knowledge and character (Likeness of God) The Fall resulted from being foolishly misled by Serpent into assuming they could grow into God’s likeness (and immortality) without remaining “rooted in God.” The natural result (not punishment) of separation from God is spiritual death, an inability to develop holy character and a weakening of human capacities. Goal of salvation is to fulfill God’s intention for humanity—development of the full Likeness of God

Creation as Gift from God and Therefore Good continued Creation as Ongoing Process Moving Toward Wholeness and Harmony Genesis 1:2: “. . .the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” Order from chaos, light from darkness From creation to New Creation Implication for Aging All life in its complexity and mystery is a good gift from God Aging is part of ongoing process of creation: all life goes through cycles Suffering, limitations, losses are opportunities as well as challenges

Human Beings Are Created in Image of God, with Inherent Worth, Dignity What Is “the Image of God”? Popular definitions The Mind as essence of personhood: Rene Descarte—“I think, therefore, I am.” Mechanistic understanding and dichotomy between “soul” and body. Capacities: “I am what I can create, produce, achieve.” John Wesley: Natural, Moral, Political Image

Human Beings Are Created in Image of God continued Potential to Reflect Character of God: Truth, beauty, goodness Supremely give and receive love, live in community. Implications for Aging Human worth rooted in One to whom we belong: Held secure by and in God. Bonhoeffer: “Whoever I am, O God, thou knowest I am thine.” Aging does not threaten the core of who I am Aging has potential to fulfill image of God more fully—Grow into his likeness! Model for how persons are to be treated

Incarnation as God’s Presence and Claim upon Human Existence John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of the father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” God has entered human flesh in Jesus of Nazareth who was born, grew to maturity, lived and died! God in Christ shares all the experiences of human existence God Has Claimed Human Personality as Vehicle of Divine Presence and Work What did in Jesus of Nazareth does in us Our identity is in Christ

Incarnation as God’s Presence and Claim upon Human Existence continued Implications for Aging God shares the aging process with us Being rather than doing, knowing, having Incarnation/Presence as model for our relationships with one another All have gifts to be received and celebrated

Conclusion