Aging by Design

I have reached the point in life where I realize time is no longer on my side, to use the ancient adage. Wrinkles and gray hair have developed. Sleep is erratic. Cholesterol creeps upward. Joints are now creaking. Body shape more closely resembles a pear than an athlete! Is all this normal? Yes, it seems to be—in a certain biological sense. But is this how God had intended it to be? That is, if sin had not descended upon this world, would we still have experienced a physical aging process?

I believe a compelling case may be presented in either direction. However, I want to suggest that this is a process that, at its core, was part of God’s creative design from the beginning. Our fallen condition has certainly complicated it through, for example, the development of aging-related disease and disorder. Yet, human aging may be one of the means through which God encourages us to look onward and upward toward a much more glorious future. The wisdom author of Ecclesiastes 3:11 observes that God “has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (English Standard Version). This would suggest that our quest for understanding the mind of God regarding human aging may be elusive—but it is certainly necessary to consider it in its context, as this helps us understand God’s design for our lives in a more meaningful way.

From the moment of conception, the process of human development begins. This is the aging process. One of the central biological catalysts that drives this is cell replication, or mitosis. Replication includes a splitting of the DNA within the cell, so each new cell will carry one half of the DNA material for continued coding and expression. As DNA splitting or division occurs during mitosis, a small amount of material at the ends—or telomeres—of the DNA strands flakes off. Research has demonstrated that this loss of telomere material drives the physical aging process to a considerable extent. Additionally, research has demonstrated that each cell can only replicate a certain number of times. Eventually, they cease replication—a phenomenon known as cell senescence. It is at the point where senescence is occurring on a greater, more widespread scale that adults develop wrinkles, graying hair, and other features that are associated with being “old.” It is important to understand that mitosis facilitates human growth and development, but at a certain point it also leads to the physical changes we associate with “old age.” It therefore serves as a sort of “double-edged sword” in our lives. Viewed another way, we would not exist without cell replication—but this process also causes us to age. I believe this is by God’s design.

It is necessary for us to understand this in a broader context. We must recall God’s mandate to Adam and Eve prior to the Fall. God called them to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:28, italics mine). The idea of filling the earth promotes a longstanding theological debate regarding what would have happened to this world if sin had not enveloped it and humankind had not been placed under the curse of death. Would the earth have reached a point of overcapacity, insofar as physical space and natural resources are concerned? Is it possible that God had never intended that we spend indefinite days on this planet? Most all theologians view death as being the result of sin, but there is some debate as to whether death in this context is physical, spiritual, or both. Perhaps the “sting” of death, as Scripture puts it, is more centrally correlated with spiritual death. Thus, death viewed as a result of the Fall may be somehow distinct from a cessation of physical presence in this earthly life that may have been part of God’s design for His created order.

There is another perspective that seems to be often overlooked and yet must be carefully considered, as it may help draw some clarity about the interplay of human physical aging and a physical separation of life from this planet. Scripture provides accounts of the rather unusual departure of Enoch and Elijah from this world. These accounts arguably suggest that these men did not physically die but were instead physically taken up to heaven. Both “walked with God” in righteousness. As a result, God saw fit to remove them from earthly existence without experiencing death. The account of Enoch is limited to an entry in the genealogical list of Adam’s descendants that is found in Genesis 5. Enoch is the only person on the list who is not described as having died. Instead, “…he was not, for God took him” (verse 24). Paul subsequently cites Enoch as an individual of faith in Hebrews 11. Paul emphasizes that before Enoch’s departure, “he was commended as having pleased God” (verse 5). It is interesting to note that he had lived 365 years on earth when this event occurred. Likewise, Enoch was the father of Methuselah, who was the longest living person mentioned in Scripture—and in documented world history. These points appear significant for our purposes.

Before assessing the implications of Enoch’s departure, however, we must also consider Elijah, one of the most prominent prophets of God in the Old Testament. Scholars have suggested that he was 80-90 years old when he was translated into glory. His departure is detailed in 2 Kings 2, where it states that “he was taken up by a whirlwind into heaven” (verse 11). This was witnessed by his successor Elisha, who was separated from Elijah by chariots and horses of fire that, in biblical tradition, are often strongly associated with God’s self-revelation. While these accounts may suggest God’s original design for translating humankind from this world into His eternal presence—God blessing them for their righteousness by sparing them from physical death—this does not mean they did not physically age.

Therefore, we might conclude that physical aging in its most basic form (that is, free from aging-related disease and disorder) may occur by divine design. Scripture, in fact, presents old age—including its physical characteristics—as a blessing for those who, in wisdom, seek to maintain a lifelong pattern of righteous living that is in step with God’s will. Consider, for example, the wisdom author’s description of gray hair representing a crown of splendor in Proverbs 16 and 20. Likewise, the author of Psalm 92 reminds us that, despite advancing age with all of its changes and challenges, the righteous will “still bear fruit” and will be “ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright…” (vv. 14-15a).

We must note the common theme of the lives of Enoch, Elijah, and the aged who are described in these scriptural passages: all have prioritized living a life of wisdom and righteousness that is in accordance with God’s will. Now, it must also be acknowledged that the challenges we encounter as a result of aging in a fallen world are significant. It is easy for us to think only about what is “falling apart” or “breaking down.” Indeed, our aging-related decline does make life more challenging—and yet, for those who seek to live righteously, it is through these challenges that we experience an increased longing to depart this world to be with our Savior. This is the desire for eternity that God has, by His gracious design, placed upon our hearts! In this sense, God seems to use our physical aging process to help prepare us for the future. We recognize that our time in this broken world is transient—and that a far better life for body and soul together in God’s eternal presence is coming soon!

I worked with thousands of older adults throughout my years of clinical practice. Nearly all were struggling with neurocognitive disorder, depression, anxiety, and/or another mental health condition. I have enjoyed close relationships with many elderly relatives and friends as well. Throughout these relationships, I have noted a common theme among them—irrespective of their level of health and wellbeing. The most content and resilient among them—indeed, those who were genuinely looking forward to the future—were those who maintained a laser focus upon walking the path of righteousness according to God’s will. I am reminded of the words of an elderly friend and fellow Christ follower whose physical condition began deteriorating a few weeks prior to her death. She became bedridden—but her mind remained sharp. During those final days, she eagerly asked each of her many visitors the same question: “Will I see you there?” This profound conviction of faith should encourage each of us as we lean into the twilight years of life! While we may be tempted to see aging as a loss, let us receive it as a gift that refines our faith, strengthens our witness, and deepens our longing to dwell forever with the Lord.