In an engaging discussion about the challenges and opportunities of aging, John Lennox, a prominent theologian and apologist, shares his reflections on spiritual endurance and the essence of “finishing well” in life.
Lennox, now 82, delved into the unique journey of growing older while staying true to the Gospel during an interview at the Sing! Conference, spearheaded by Keith and Kristyn Getty. He noted that the concept of “finishing well” does not follow a strict formula but rather requires a continuous mindset, referencing Jesus’ guidance to Peter in John 21 and the prayers of King David. He conveyed the stark reality that even esteemed Christian leaders can face late-life challenges.
“The chief test of all shepherds is the way they end up,” Lennox asserted. “It is perfectly possible for a person who has led an exemplary Christian life, been a leader, to end up a silly old fool.”
He emphasized that to finish well, one needs humility, accountability, and acceptance of constructive criticism. One risk he identified is the tendency for age to make individuals feel they no longer need guidance. “We must surround ourselves by friends, family who are close enough to us to be honest with us,” he warned. “As you get older, it’s very easy to get into the mindset that you know everything and to close down and not listen to anybody. I’ve watched it again and again happen in people that you would have said it would never happen to them. It can happen to any of us. And it’s something to fear in a way.”
Lennox also highlighted the importance of spiritual practices such as engaging with Scripture, prayer, and Christian fellowship to prevent one’s heart from hardening into defensiveness or spiritual stagnation. He observed that some individuals aspire to establish, manage, and conclude a church because they struggle to relinquish control. “And most of us, unfortunately, have a predisposition to come to a point where we don’t listen to anybody anymore. We don’t take advice,” he noted.
A recurring theme in Lennox’s reflections is the lifelong mission of witnessing. He believes many Christians lose their spiritual vigor when they cease sharing their faith. “One of the things I believe that has sustained me through life is constantly to be alive to opportunities to witness,” he explained. “Constantly to believe that there are people out there that you can talk to about the Gospel … there’s nothing more life-giving than seeing other people experience what you yourself have seen. In other words, the joy of salvation and beginning to grow.”
He contrasted the constricting horizons he perceives in many non-religious elderly individuals with the expanding hope he witnesses in older believers, citing research that supports this difference in outlook.
“Generally speaking, older Christians, as they got nearer to death, their hearts and minds were getting excited about the fact they were going to be with the Lord, and it was expanding into eternity. Whereas non-Christian people, it was the next year, the next month, the next day or the next hour. Their whole horizon was coming in,” he elaborated.
Music, according to Lennox, often emerges as a profound source of hope towards life’s end. He has seen dementia patients, who struggle to form sentences, suddenly sing hymns learned in their youth. “Because as our bodies begin to fall apart, as mine has, the fact that there is a new world coming in which suffering shall cease and we’ll be in glory — that’s not a trivial and a vague thing, that is a colossal hope based on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead,” he emphasized.
Lennox spoke fondly of evangelist Nigel Lee, who died at 58, as a memorable example of finishing well. Lee’s impactful ministry brought thousands to Christ. Lennox remembered Lee asking him to speak at his funeral and urging others to deeply engage with the Word.
“Look, go and tell them to do what we did when we were students — to get into the Word prayerfully and spend real time on it and wait on God until His face appears,” Lee had instructed. Lennox added, “In order to witness, we must have something to say. And there are many people, sadly, in the pulpit today who have nothing to say.”
Lennox cautioned against the fast pace of modern life, which can make it difficult for believers to pause, reflect, and genuinely seek God. He warned that relying on quick technological solutions, like AI-generated sermons, might undermine spiritual depth, turning useful tools into replacements for authentic time spent in Scripture and prayer.
Emphasizing that Christian hope is rooted in the historical reality of Christ’s resurrection and His promised return, Lennox expressed: “We would expect to see a large proportion of Christians, when they come to the end or towards the end, that they are so rejoicing in what’s ahead; that they confirm with their families, children, grandchildren who are watching that ‘dad or granddad believes it’s real even at this stage.’”
He described biblical hope as the anticipation of God’s coming and noted the longing for God to put things right, felt by both suffering believers and the natural world. Lennox reflected on Jesus’ assurance to Martha about Lazarus’s resurrection, suggesting continuity and recognition in the afterlife, offering solace to those grieving the loss of loved ones.
He cautioned against dismissing biblical teachings on creation or the future as outdated or speculative. “You need a past to have an identity,” he remarked. “You need a future for hope.” Lennox’s recent writings on the book of Revelation aim to rekindle this sense of anticipation.
As the conversation wrapped up, Lennox shared his personal anticipation as he nears his ninth decade: “I’m looking forward to seeing the Lord and it’s going to happen.”
This article was originally published at Christian Today
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
