Msgr. Pope on Sin and Our Longevity

"I sometimes get questions about the remarkably long lives of the patriarchs who lived before the great flood. . . .

"There are many theories that have tried to explain the claimed longevity. Some try to introduce a mathematical corrective, but this leads to other pitfalls such as certain patriarchs apparently begetting children while they are still children themselves. Another approach is to say that the 'ages' of the patriarchs are actually just indications of their influence or family line. But then things don't add up chronologically with eras and family trees.

"Personally, I think we need to take the stated ages of the patriarchs at face value and just accept it as a mystery: for some reason, the ancient patriarchs lived far longer we do in the modern era. I cannot prove that they actually lived that long, but neither is there strong evidence that they did not. Frankly, I have little stake in insisting that they did in fact live that long. But if you ask me, I think it is best just to accept that they did. . . .

"There is perhaps a theological truth hidden in the shrinking lifespans of the Old Testament. The scriptures link sin and death. Adam and Eve were warned that the day they ate of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would die (Gen 2:17). But they did not drop dead immediately, and though they died spiritually in an instant, the clock of death for their bodies wound down much later. As the chart above shows, as sin increased, lifespans dropped precipitously, especially after the flood."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the collective effects of sin on our shorter lifespan than that of the patriarchs.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Did the Patriarchs Really Live to Be 900 Years Old? Perhaps, but Here's Why We Do Not (11 AUG 15)