Why is He Old?

[281 words] Everyone should have some interest in paleoanthropology; not necessarily that branch of science, but the word itself. Paleoanthropology is a compound word meaning “the study of ancient man.” Interestingly (at least to this preacher), the primary root words that make up our English word are found together in the Bible. For example, the apostle Paul said, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old (palaion) man (anthropon), which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22). We know why fossils are called “old;” they have been around for “ages.” However, the old man of Scripture is old for other reasons. He is old because he has “passed away.” Paul declared, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old man here is the conduct of the…