Alzheimer's and the Bible

Somehow or other I got into a discussion with someone close to me about what Scripture says about Alzheimer's (which is not in the Bible, at least know that I know of...). I pointed out that perhaps it's because the lifespan of people in Biblical times was far less than that of the lifespan of people in "Western" nations.

I've seen estimates of 40 years old, give or take, for the average lifespan of a person in Biblical times. This would go a long way toward explaining why there is no mention of a disease like Alzheimer's.

This person blurted out that people in Biblical times lived to 900 years old. I had to bite my tongue.

Do I believe people lived to be 900 and that it was only after the flood that changed? Not literally. Could be but I don't rely on it either way for my faith. If it's true, cool; if it's not, not a game changer.

Does that mean I have less faith because I question or seek alternative explanations? I don't really think so. My motive for questioning is not to discredit or to disprove anything (though that's always a possible outcome) but reconciliation. For hundred, even thousands, of years, the average lifespan of a human being is nowhwere near the ages of the "older" stories in the Bible.

In light of these facts, those ages seem, well, mythical. So I seek the symbolism, the message they are trying to convey, rather than trying to hold them up as scientific fact (and creationism, to me, seems like a pathetic child clamoring for attention and validation).

I tend toward historicity; others tend toward accepting what the Bible says. At this point, there are two options: debate or just let it go. I opted for the latter.

Either way, I think it brings to light the fact that living to older ages is not without serious consequences and drawbacks. Perhaps all the Bible is trying to say is that our bodies are designed to only live for so long; they are not meant, in their current state, to live a long time.

"As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away." (Psalms 90:10)

Psalms speaks of 70 years and, by and large, that seems a reasonable estimate to having lived a full life. Not sure if the writer is speaking for all people or if he is speaking from his surroundings in the court. What about the common people? The writer makes no distinction. There are many who live to be older (80, in good health, the Psalms says) and live rich, rewarding lives; however, there are many who don't.

Whether people lived to be 900 or not, it's certainly a conversation starter and perhaps in any debate on the matter there is wisdom to be found.