Recently I discovered this human life expectancy and survival curve from the Our World in Data website.
Even though the data are based on England and Wales, it gives us a ballpark perspective of the human survival rate. It shows a growing percentage of people are living longer. Half of the population born around 1930 live up to 80 years old; half of those born around 1960 will live up to 90.
However, they all eventually die around 120 years old. That means even though our survival rate is getting...
Recently I discovered this human life expectancy and survival curve from the Our World in Data website.
Even though the data are based on England and Wales, it gives us a ballpark perspective of the human survival rate. It shows a growing percentage of people are living longer. Half of the population born around 1930 live up to 80 years old; half of those born around 1960 will live up to 90.
However, they all eventually die around 120 years old. That means even though our survival rate is getting better, the human lifespan stays the same—about 120.
The oldest person on record is Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to the age of 122 (1875–1997). She was the only person who exceeded 120. The oldest man is Jiroemon Kimura of Japan, who lived to the age of 116 (1897–2013). Women live longer than men.
According to Genesis, our maximum lifespan on earth is 120, even though this verse is open to interpretation.
Then the LORD said, “My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred twenty years.” (Gen 6:3).
Even though it was written about 5,000 years ago and didn’t preclude exceptions, human lifespan data to date prove it is still valid.
I love science and have closely followed research on longevity for over a decade. Many researchers predicted that by around 2025 to 2030, a scientific breakthrough would allow us to live forever. I am open-minded and have been looking forward to this day to come.
Now we are in 2023, and this chart convinced me that breaking the maximum lifespan of 120 is more like an illusion. In 200 B.C., the emperor of the Qin Dynasty searched for an elixir to live forever, but he died before discovering it. In the 20th century, Chairman Mao said that we didn’t need religion because science would give us eternal life, but he died before science discovered eternal life.
Even if science did give us eternal life, it would not change my trust in the core message of the Bible, mainly about human sins, salvation, and the significance of life. So far, science cannot solve human sins. Crimes, corruption, wars, and genocides continue despite our knowledge and education. As someone said, an educated devil is worse than an uneducated one.
Jesus doesn’t promise to extend our lifespan on this side of eternity, but he does promise us the quality of life. He said,
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (Jn 10:10).
The word “abundantly” is translated from Greek, “περισσόν (perisson),” meaning “overflowingly, fully, abundantly, advantageously.”
NIV translates,
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV).
The living Bible says,
“My purpose is to give life in all its fullest.” (John 10:10 TLB).
Jesus’ purpose is to give you life in all its fullest. I think our deepest desire is not longevity but the quality of life. Whether we live up to 80 or 800, God wants us to live to the fullest. From today’s scripture lesson, we will examine how Jesus expects us to live life to the fullest. So, let’s begin!
