J. Gordon Harris (2008). Biblical Perspectives on Ageing: God and the Elderly (second edition). New York: Harworth Press, 199 pp. ISBN 978 0 78903 538 7 (hardbound) : Peter G. Coleman (2011). Belief and Ageing: Spiritual Pathways in Later Life. Padstow: Policy Press, 181 pp. ISBN 978 1 84742 459 4 (paperback)

摘要

While spirituality has historically been associated with adult ageing,as part of the wisdom games that we are encouraged to engage in in laterlife, it is perhaps surprising that so little has been written about it. Insome ways, this reflects a secularist bias in the academy and parallels acontinuing migration away from organised Christianity, mostly in Europe.Among social gerontologists, a few names stand out. Elizabeth MacKinlay(2012) has been a tireless advocate of the importance of spirituality both inthe everyday experience of a long life, as also with specific reference tothe care of dementia sufferers and the significance of deep old age. JohnSwinton (2010) has made a powerful critique of the position of dementia in society, based on spiritual understanding. Lars Tornstam (2003) has introduced the world to the notion of ‘‘gerotranscendence,’’ which stands as an important counterweight to the materialist and productivist turn in mainstream social gerontology. Here, we are asked to celebrate the value of the big picture, thinking that it may be one of the hidden virtues of adult ageing and also the fascinating concept of ‘‘positive solitude,’’ which is very different from social isolation. It lays the foundation for a powerful critique of ‘‘busy bodies,’’ which Stephen Katz (2000) among others has identified as arising from 19th Century Protestantism, as the bumpersticker ‘‘Jesus is coming look busy’’ has made a gerontological debut for those who now believe that work is the principal means of social recognition for older adults. Euan Sadler is perhaps a member of a new generation exploring the significance of spirituality as a basis for an alternative notion of success in ageing.