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Human longevity: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Postdiluviallifespans.JPG|right]] | [[Image:Postdiluviallifespans.JPG|right]] | ||
'''Human longevity''' is the length of a person's life | '''Human longevity''' is the length of a person's life or "life expectancy". The Creationist reflections on this topic typically focuses on the cause of [[fall of man|human mortality]] and the effects of the flood on the human lifespan. | ||
In the first book of the Bible | In the first book of the [[Bible]], [[Genesis]], it is said that there was a tree in the [[Garden of Eden]] that would allow humans to live forever. Ancient historical documents, including [[Genesis]], also record lifespans approximately 10 times above what they are currently. However, immediately after the flood, human longevity shows a rapid decline. | ||
== Human immortality == | == Human immortality == | ||
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: Main Article: [[Fall of man]] | : Main Article: [[Fall of man]] | ||
The '''Tree of Life''' was a tree in the Garden of Eden that was placed there so humans could ''live forever''. According to {{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=2-3}}, upon eating of the forbidden ''Tree of Knowledge'', God immediately removed Adam and Eve from the garden, and placed a flaming sword to guard the tree so they could not eat from the ''Tree of Life''. In {{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=3|verses=22-23}}, God is quoted as saying " | The '''Tree of Life''' was a tree in the Garden of Eden that was placed there so humans could ''live forever''. According to {{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=2-3}}, upon eating of the forbidden ''Tree of Knowledge'', God immediately removed Adam and Eve from the garden, and placed a flaming sword to guard the tree so they could not eat from the ''Tree of Life''. | ||
In {{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=3|verses=22-23}}, God is quoted as saying ''"'He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.' So the L<small>ORD</small> God banished him from the Garden of Eden ..."'' | |||
There remains some debate within the [[theological]] and [[creation science]] community regarding the nature of this immortality. However, many people assume humans were originally designed to be physically immortal, but this ability was somehow linked to the aforementioned ''Tree of Life''. Perhaps the fruit from the tree contained some factor that was able to transform the biochemical nature of humans, slowing or arresting programmed cell death ([[apoptosis]]). As a result of the actions of [[Adam and Eve]] in the [[garden of Eden]], they brought death to all mankind through their disobedience. | There remains some debate within the [[theological]] and [[creation science]] community regarding the nature of this immortality. However, many people assume humans were originally designed to be physically immortal, but this ability was somehow linked to the aforementioned ''Tree of Life''. Perhaps the fruit from the tree contained some factor that was able to transform the biochemical nature of humans, slowing or arresting programmed cell death ([[apoptosis]]). As a result of the actions of [[Adam and Eve]] in the [[garden of Eden]], they brought death to all mankind through their disobedience. | ||
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* The decrease in lifespan was the result of the harsher environment after the flood. | * The decrease in lifespan was the result of the harsher environment after the flood. | ||
* Accelerated [[recombination]], inbreeding, and the resulting [[genetic drift]] played a possible role. | * Accelerated [[recombination]], inbreeding, and the resulting [[genetic drift]] played a possible role. | ||
* The decrease was a result of events occurring between 1997 [[ | * The decrease was a result of events occurring between 1997 [[AM]] and 2187 [[AM]]. | ||
* The ages of the Biblical [[genealogy]] are exaggerated. | * The ages of the Biblical [[genealogy]] are exaggerated. | ||
It is argued by some that the decline in human longevity was either an intended or knowingly concomitant result of the flood. The following passage quotes the Words of God when he basically says that the days of man will be 120 years because He would destroy the [[Earth]] by flood. Although one possible interpretation of this scripture is that this was a statement of when the flood would occur, it is very compelling that the maximum life expectancy for humans is almost exactly 120 years. The longest verified lifespan on record for a human was Jeanne Calment who lived to be 122 years of age[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment]. | It is argued by some that the decline in human longevity was either an intended or knowingly concomitant result of the flood. The following passage quotes the Words of God when he basically says that the days of man will be 120 years because He would destroy the [[Earth]] by flood. Although one possible interpretation of this scripture is that this was a statement of when the flood would occur, it is very compelling that the maximum life expectancy for humans is almost exactly 120 years. The longest verified lifespan on record for a human was Jeanne Calment who lived to be 122 years of age[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment]. | ||
{{Bible quote | {{Bible quote|''"Then the L<small>ORD</small> said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." ... The L<small>ORD</small> saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The L<small>ORD</small> was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the L<small>ORD</small> said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them."'' - |book=Genesis|chap=6|verses=3-7}} | ||
It is a foregone conclusion that after the flood, the environment had changed a great deal. The [[fossil record]] indicates that prior to the flood, the Earth was a tropical paradise. The destruction of the Earth by flood would have altered the environment in harmful ways about which we can only speculate. Further, post-flood inbreeding would have been extreme with only a father, mother, three sons, and their wives remaining, causing the loss of a great deal of [[heterozygosity]], and making humans more vulnerable to the new and harsher environment. Their view is consistent with [[biology]] (particularly [[genetic drift]],) [[flood geology]], and the [[decline of humanity]]. | It is a foregone conclusion that after the flood, the environment had changed a great deal. The [[fossil record]] indicates that prior to the flood, the Earth was a tropical paradise. The destruction of the Earth by flood would have altered the environment in harmful ways about which we can only speculate. Further, post-flood inbreeding would have been extreme with only a father, mother, three sons, and their wives remaining, causing the loss of a great deal of [[heterozygosity]], and making humans more vulnerable to the new and harsher environment. Their view is consistent with [[biology]] (particularly [[genetic drift]],) [[flood geology]], and the [[decline of humanity]]. | ||
=== Chaotic events === | === Chaotic events === | ||
The chart at right shows that all of the post-diluvian patriarchs died within a 200 year period, from 1997 | The chart at right shows that all of the post-diluvian patriarchs died within a 200 year period, from 1997 AM to 2187 AM. Interestingly, [[Noah]] died only two years before [[Abraham]] was born. It is possible that their deaths were caused by events occurring during this period, such as perhaps the dispersion of humanity from the [[Tower of Babel]], war, environmental changes, or some other events during that period that caused the death rate to increase greatly. | ||
== Modern increase == | == Modern increase == | ||
Recently, human lifespans have been increasing at a remarkable rate in the Western World. | Recently, human lifespans have been increasing at a remarkable rate in the Western World. This is due primarily to improved medicine, hygiene, and nutrition. Changes in the human gene pool itself are not the cause of this increase. In the absence of our improved technology and nutrition, the human lifespan would be no higher than it was 1000 years ago. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Anthropology]] | * [[Anthropology]] | ||
* [[Paleoanthropology]] | * [[Paleoanthropology]] | ||
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* [[Homo sapiens]] | * [[Homo sapiens]] | ||
* [[Neanderthal]] | * [[Neanderthal]] | ||
{{Paleontology portal}} | |||
== References == | |||
* [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%205;&version=31; Genesis 5] The Genealogy from Adam to Noah | |||
*[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/805 Living for 900 years] by [[Carl Wieland]] | |||
*[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1771 Decreased lifespans: Have we been looking in the right place?] by [[Carl Wieland]] | |||
[[Category:Human]] | [[Category:Human]] | ||
