Aging and Death

In addition to diseases and disorders, humans face the problems of aging and the prospect of death.
Scripture indicates that aging and death are both a part of the curse that God pronounced in Genesis 3.

Aging is the continual degeneration (wearing out) of our bodies. Stooped posture, thinning and graying hair,
and wrinkling and drying skin are but some of the outward signs of the deterioration that is taking place
throughout the body. Organs gradually wear out; the heart and blood vessels become less elastic; bones become
more brittle; joints stiffen; brain cells die and are not replaced; the eyes become less capable of focusing; dental
problems make eating difficult; injuries heal more slowly; and the resistance to disease diminishes.

Aging
Much research is being conducted in the field of gerontology ( JEHR un TAHL uh jee), the science of aging.
Researchers have determined that degeneration begins when a person is in his 20s, shortly after his growth has
been completed. Scientists still do not agree about the physical causes of aging. One theory holds that it is the
cumulative effect of wear and tear, the “battle scars” of continual fight, disease, injury, and the rigors of life itself.
Aging has also been attributed to waste accumulation in the cells. Wastes are continually being removed
from cells, but some types of wastes are not completely removed. Therefore, as cells grow older, the
concentration of certain wastes increases and presumably the function of the cell is being impaired. Although a
waste product called lipofuscin (LIH poh FUS in) accumulates in older cells, no one has demonstrated that this
causes a loss of function.
Another theory is that aging and death are genetically programmed into the body. From the moment the
zygote is formed, the individual follows a prescribed program through the different stages of life: embryo,
infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, old age, and death. Thus, aging and death are a
natural part of the life cycle, directed by genetic machinery. Some gerontologists believe there are genes that
trigger degenerative processes as life progresses. Research has shown that certain human cells have only about
100 generations built into them. After their appointed number of cells divisions, they degenerated and eventually
die.
There also seems to be complex aging mechanisms through which one part of the body can transmit aging
instructions to another part.
Christians view aging as a divinely ordained modification of our physical being that came about after the
Fall. We should be willing to accept aging, knowing that ultimately that we will receive a glorified body that is
incorruptible (un-aging) (I Cor. 15:51-57). Unregenerate people, not having this hope, would like to find some
way to block the sequence of aging and thus “beat the system.” Perhaps someday man will be able to “push off”
the effects of aging, extending useful life. Scientifically, this seems a long way off, but the Bible does not say that
man cannot do it.
Death
Someone made a statement once that the surest way to live to a ripe old age is to choose ancestors who
lived to ripe old ages. This statement contains a basic element of truth: genes do set limits upon a person’s life.
But within these limits there is considerable room for individual variation. In addition to having “good genes,”
one must avoid accidents and diseases and practice good living habits (proper diet, rest, exercise, and a lifestyle
conducive to good mental and emotional health).
Yet barring the Lord’s return for his saints, death is inevitable for every person. Most Christians believe that
scientists will never find a way to avoid death. Death appears to be a part of the universal degenerative trend and
is in keeping with the Scripture, which says “it is appointed to man once to die” (Heb. 9:27). It appears that only
God Himself could change this plan.
What exactly is death? In former times men relied on to indicators—absence of heartbeat and absence of
breathing. But the cells of the body do not die immediately when these functions cease. Victims of drowning and
electrical shock can often be successfully revived if action is taken quickly. Even brain cells, the most fragile type
of cells, can live for a couple of minutes after their blood supply is cut off. A person resuscitated within this time
would suffer little, if any, permanent damage. If the body temperature is lowered (as may happen when a person
drowns in cold water), he may be revived after half an hour or longer without brain damage.
Therefore, a definition of death which is based only on heartbeat and breathing is unsatisfactory. Now
scientists usually consider the brain the indicator of the state of the physical organism. A functioning brain
produces minute electrical impulses called brain waves. An electroencephalogram (ih LEK troh en SEF uh luh
GRAM) or EEG measures these waves. If there is no electrical activity in the brain, the EEG is “flat.” Medical
authorities tell us that if there are no brain waves for 24-48 hr., there is no hope for the patient. A person in this
condition is clinically dead.
Suppose that the heart of a clinically dead person is still beating and that the person is still breathing
(without the aid of any supporting equipment). Would it be proper to bury such a person? Even though the brain
may be “dead,” it would be strange indeed to bury a body that was still breathing. To avoid such a dilemma, many
authorities insist that all three criteria exist before burial. Problems often arise when “life-support” equipment is
being used to maintain the heartbeat or breathing while there is little or no brain activity.
The Christian recognizes death to be the departure of the soul and spirit from the body. For the Christian, to
be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (II Cor. 5:8). Medical instruments cannot measure the non-
physical parts of the body to determine when it has degenerated too far to be inhabitable by the soul and spirit.
However, we must be careful: God does work miracles!
Most Christians doubt that man will ever be able to conquer physical death through scientific endeavors.
Biological problems are numerous, and Scripture tells us that the power of life and death is in the Lord’s hands
(Matt. 28:18). Although man may not be able to conquer death, there is One who promises us the victory over it.
Christ’s death on the cross conquered physical death; He rose from the grave having a new, incorruptible (un-
aging), glorified body.
The just eternal fate of every sinful human being is hell, a place that God prepared for Satan and his hosts.
However, Christ also conquered spiritual death so that those who believe on His name would live eternally with
Him in their glorified bodies. With these promises in the Word of God, it is easy for the Christian to say, “O
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (I Cor. 15:55).