In the ancient world, the average life expectancy was far lower than that in the western world today. There are some biblical characters, however, even in the New Testament, who lived into their 80s and beyond. In this article, modern theories of gerontology are examined to indicate questions to ask, and insights to gain, in seeking to understand four such persons of mature years who are briefly mentioned in Luke’s Gospel but who play critical roles in the biblical story. The wisdom available to them on coping with the latter years (as seen in the “aging poem” in Ecclesiastes 12:1–7) is reviewed to assess whether those values are apparent in these four characters, and to compare it with modern ideas.
Atchley, R.C.1989. “A continuity theory of normal aging.”Gerontologist29: 183–90.
3.
Atchley, R.C.2009. Spirituality and Aging. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
4.
Baltes, P.B. and M. M.Baltes. 1993. “Psychological perspectives on successful aging: the model of selective optimization with compensation.” Pp. 1–27 in Successful Aging: Perspectives From the Behavioral Sciences, edited by P. B.Baltes and M. M.Baltes, New York, NYCambridge University Press.
5.
Barclay, J. M. G.2007. “‘There is neither old nor young? Early Christianity and ancient ideologies of age.”New Testament Studies53/2: 225–41.
6.
Bovon, F and J.Luke. 2002. A Commentary on the Gospel of Luke l: 1–9:50.. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
7.
Bowling, A.2007. “Aspirations for older age in the 21st century: what is successful aging?”International Journal of Aging and Human Development64: 263–97.
8.
Chung, M.2013. “The Annunciation, Anna, and Luke’s Egalitarianism”, Priscilla Papers, 27/3: 24–27.
9.
Crenshaw, J.L.1978. “The Shadow of Death in Qoheleth.” In Israelite Wisdom, edited by J. G.Gammieet al. Missoula, MT: Scholars Press.
10.
Crowther, M. R., M. W.Parker, W.A.Achenbaum,et al. 2002. “Rowe and Kahn’s model of successful aging revisited: positive spirituality—the forgotten factor”, Gerontologist42: 613–20.
11.
Cumming, E. and W. E.Henry. 1961. Growing Old: The Process of Disengagement. New York, NY: Basic Books.
12.
Delitzsch, F.1988. Commentary on the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament, translated by. M. C.Easton. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
13.
Eaton, M.A.1983. Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
14.
ESV (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2016. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
15.
Fox, M.1988. “Aging and Death in Qohelet 12”, JSOT, 42: 55–77.
16.
Fuller, J. M. (ed.) 1972. Proverbs–Ezekiel, The Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
17.
Green, J.1997. The Gospel of Luke, New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
18.
Havighurst, R.J.1963. “Successful aging.” Pages 299–320 in Processes of Aging, edited by R. H.Williams, C.Tibbits, and W.Donahue. New York, NY: Atherton Press.
19.
Jayasooriya, C. H.2014. “Why aren’t you married yet? Experience and Expressions of Identity and Agency of Never-married single women in urban Sri-Lanka.”MA thesis, Univ of Colombo.
20.
Kinsel, B.2005. “Resilience as adaptation in older women”, Journal of Women and Aging, 17/3: 23–39.
21.
Knight, D.A.2014. “Perspectives on Aging and the Elderly in the Hebrew Bible”, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology68/2: 136–49.
22.
Kuh, D.2007. “New Dynamics of Ageing Preparatory Network. A life course approach to healthy aging, frailty, and capability.”Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences62: 717–21.
23.
Lelis, A.A., W. A.Percy, and B. C.Verstraete. 2003. The Age of Marriage in Ancient Rome. Studies in Classics, 26. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press.
24.
Leupold, H.C.1968. Exposition of Ecclesiastes. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
25.
Lichtheim, M. (trans.) 1973. Ancient Egyptian Literature: A Book of Readings, Vol. 1, The Old and Middle Kingdoms. Berkeley, Los Angeles, CA, and London, UK: University of California Press.
26.
Limberis, V.2000. “Anna 2,” in Women in Scripture, edited by C.Meyers, New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.
27.
Meyers, E. M., J. F.Strange, and C.L.Meyers. 1981. “Excavations at Ancient Meiron, Upper Galilee, Israel, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1977.” Pp. 107–20 in Meiron Excavation Project 3. Skeletal analysis by P.Smith, E.Bornemann, and J.Zias. Cambridge, MA: American Schools of Oriental Research.
28.
Mielcarek, K.2012. “Prayers of Old People: Zechariah, Simeon and Anna.”Verbum Vitae22: 75–92.
29.
Morris, L.1988. Luke. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans/IVP.
30.
Ogden, G. S. and L.Zogbo. 1998. A Handbook on Ecclesiastes. New York, NY: United Bible Societies.
31.
Petersen, W.1975. “A Demographer’s View of Prehistoric Demography.”Current Anthropology16/2: 227–45.
32.
Putnam, M.2002. “Linking Aging Theory and Disability Models: Increasing the Potential to Explore Aging With Physical Impairment.”Gerontologist42/6: 799–806.
33.
Rowe, J. W. and R. L.Kahn. 1997. “Successful aging.”Gerontologist37: 433–40.
34.
Schaberg, J.1992. “Luke,” in The Women’s Bible Commentary, edited by C.A.Newsome and S. H.Ringe. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox.
35.
Shepard, J. W.1975. The Christ of the Gospels. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans.
36.
Sheridan, S., J.Ullinger, and J.Ramp. 2003. “Anthropological Analysis of the Human Remains from Khirbet Qumran: The French Collection.” Pp. 133–73 in The Archaeology of Qumran, Vol. 2, edited by J.-B.Humbert, and J.Gunneweg.. Fribourg, Switzerland: Universitaires de Fribourg.
37.
Steinberg, A. and R. F.Ritzmann. 1990. “A living systems approach to understanding the concept of stress.”Behavioral Science, 35: 138–46.
38.
Thurston, B.2001. “Who Was Anna? Luke 2:36–38.”Perspectives in Religious Studies, 28/1: 47–54.
39.
WHO (World Health Organization). 2001. “International classification of functioning, disability and health: Final draft, full version. http://WHO/GPE/CAS/ICF_FI/01.01.
40.
Whybray, R.N.1989. Ecclesiastes, The New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
