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.
The wisdom of Elihu?
In the study ‘Listening to the Young’, seniors are given an example of the wisdom of Elihu in refuting his friends and Job. (Job 32). The Study Notes say that Elihu came to a reasonable conclusion in his discourse, that Job had made himself out to be ‘more righteous than God.’ Yet Job had not said that. Elihu condemns Job’s friends and Job’s claim of being without sin, though God had said that: ‘There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’ Nevertheless, the study asks: ‘When have you benefited from the wisdom of the younger?’
What is God’s purpose?
There is no sense throughout these studies of God’s purpose for older people. It misses an opportunity in Study 6, discussing how Rehoboam’s older advisers gave sound advice that was ignored, with disastrous consequences. (1 Kings 121-20.) In ‘Dealing with Fears’, there is not enough emphasis on individuals’ experience of God’s faithfulness in their lives, which is one of the strengths of old age and the best way of dealing with fears. It makes me wonder how well the authors understand older people.
