GROWING OLDER AND WISER:
Nine Bible studies for individuals or groups
By Dale and Sandy Larsen
IVP. 63 pages. £4.99
ISBN 978 1 783 596 829
The purpose of the book, it states, is to ‘discover how God can effectively and powerfully use those who have grown wiser with the passing years.’
In the Introduction it says that wisdom only comes as we apply the timeless truths of Scripture. It is true that the wisdom of Christ surpasses all, but it’s not true that older people without Christ lack wisdom. Secular psychologists describe wisdom as one of the characteristics of older people, whatever their stripe. Psychologist James Hillman wrote: ‘… let us entertain the idea that character requires the additional years and that the long last of life is forced upon us neither by genes nor by conservational medicine nor by societal collusion. The last years confirm and fulfil character.’ God’s life design applies to all, though those without Christ miss their potential, as well as, of course, their salvation.
