Aging

 The degenerative effect of sin.

Martinus, P. M.

Definition

An otherwise ideal body, after the cost of sin has been paid in full, will be restored to those who believe following the end of the church age when believers are resurrected in Christ. Ageing is not a disease but the effective power of sin to degenerate what were supposed to become perfected bodies were those of Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. The aging process is degenerately corrupted by sin. (D. O. Moberg 2017c, 37).

Reflections

This term was selected due to theological incompatibility concerning age with an unofficial policy in modern medicine to treat aging as a curable disease (Adam David 2019, 14–18; Sven Bulterijs, Raphaella S. Hull, Victor C. E. Björk, and Avi G. Roy 2015, 1–5). In theory, and not too dissimilar from fine wine, Jesus Christ must have aged to perfection. Because the human person of Christ never sinned, His body was not effected by aging even though Christ’s physical body might not have been immune from the effect of an otherwise cursed world on His body. For example, some might argue that Christ may have acquired a scar on his foot from accidentally having stepped on a thorn while the arguments of others might plausibly suggest that Christ suffered certain seasonal illnesses. Although Christ’s body might have been effectively marred by His own curse upon the land, His body never suffered the degenerative effect of sin. With these thoughts in mind, and in consideration of the age at which Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calvary, the perfected age of a glorified body is herein posited to be about thirty-five years; yet, it seems important to remember that a sinless person of such an age will certainly appear to be much more youthful given that the body itself has not been impacted by the effect of sin. Moreover, it is reasonable to assume that a perfect age in light of an self-perceived ideal body will not be too youthful to appear boyish or girlish so advanced as to appear like a grasshopper as described by the Preacher in Ecclesiastes (12:5).

Refs.

  1. Adam, David. 2019. “What I F Aging Were a Disease.” MIT Technology Review 122 (5): 14–18. https://www.technologyreview.com/
  2. Bulterijs, Sven, Raphaella S. Hull, Victor C. E. Björk, and Avi G. Roy. 2015. “It is Time to Classify Biological Aging as a Disease.” Frontiers in Genetics 205 (6): 1–5. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00205
  3. Moberg, D. O. 2017c. Evangelical Theological Dictionary: Aging. 3rd ed. Edited by Trier, Daniel J. and Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Agere Sequitur Esse