Description
Elder abuse is increasing as the US population ages and is given scant attention in faith communities. This class discusses the nature of elder abuse and two biblical texts. Genesis 27, the story of Isaac’s deception, can be interpreted as illustrating the dynamics of abuse by family members. Psalm 71, the prayer of elder, can be read as a resource for understanding the role of faith in elder abuse.
Nancy Bowen is a retired ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and professor emerita of Earlham School of Religion, a seminary in the Quaker tradition where she taught Old Testament/Tanak for 30 years. Bowen has an MDiv from Claremont School of Theology and a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is interested in reading the Bible from different perspectives.