Abstract
As professor emeritus at Regent College of Vancouver since 2008, the seventy-eight-year-old Stevens shows no signs of slowing down as he shifts his focus to what might be his best work. Having previously authored twenty-four books, Stevens is prominently known for his work in areas of everyday spirituality, theology of work, and marketplace theology. Stevens’ latest book, Aging Matters, reimagines the typical perspective on retirement, envisioning retirement not as a period of twilight but rather as a period of renewal and empowerment for an individual in their final years of life. Stevens reframes aging and retirement in three parts by borrowing from the theme of spirituality in the everyday world of human activity.
The first part approaches the question of aging in terms of calling and vocation. Stevens proposes that we consider working our entire lives, noting that some form of work may prolong life expectancy. Moreover, Stevens argues persuasively that some form of remunerated employment may strengthen an individual’s sense of self-worth and provide opportunities to hand down skills and knowledge to the generation that follows. He cites examples from both biblical texts and cultures, which place high value on the wisdom of elders, in contrast with our predominantly youth-driven culture today.
The second part is devoted to spirituality. Stevens describes the process of aging as a spiritual discipline, while acknowledging the possibilities of both vices and virtues that come with old age. He writes that although aging presents us with the progressive loss of friends, family, professional status, mobility, virility, and finally total independence, the process should not make us less human, but rather should bring us closer to God and to our true humanity. Stevens uses the motif of the seven deadly sins to describe common vices of old age and obstacles to spiritual growth: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust. In doing so, he delineates seven Christian virtues to stave off the vices: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude, along with faith, hope, and love. Stevens helps readers understand how these virtues may develop more deeply within aging persons.
The third and final part of Stevens’ book considers the notion of legacy. For Stevens, legacy includes not just the material goods that one passes on to the next generation, but also one’s vocational and spiritual legacy. In this last section, Stevens also guides readers through the process of aging and decline to the final point of departure from this life.
Throughout the book, Stevens cites other contemporary authors such as Richard Rohr, Eugene C. Bianchi, and Zalman Schachter-Shalomi—while also quoting St. Augustine, Martin Luther, and others—to reinforce his understanding of aging skillfully. By doing so, he demonstrates his breadth of knowledge and experience with other points of view. Stevens is also not shy about citing biblical texts to build upon the theological and spiritual foundation of the experience of living in old age and hope for the hereafter.
The book is well-organized and easy to follow. Each of the three parts of the book subdivides into three chapters, with a poignant epilogue at the end in which Stevens reflects on a eulogy given at a friend’s funeral. With the exception of the epilogue, each chapter concludes with a brief guided reflection and instructions for both individual and group settings, making this book an excellent choice for group study at a church or retreat event.
Although Stevens quotes liberally from Carl Jung and other non-Christian scholars, it is important to note that Aging Matters is oriented primarily toward persons who hold Christian beliefs. However, it is apparent that the book can speak to a broader audience concerning the subject of aging. The biblical references that Stevens employs reflect a universal understanding of the problem of aging, making the book useful and accessible to most anyone interested in this subject matter. Individuals over the age of fifty may find it an especially welcome resource. Moreover, social workers, ministers, healthcare workers, and other caregivers will find this a rich source of wisdom to guide their care for older adults. Although Stevens’ work is not comprehensive, Aging Matters will be a tremendous resource for anyone interested the topic of aging and geriatric care.