Here's the situation: Our nine year old, Joseph, came to my wife today perplexed. He asked why, if my mother (his grandmother) kept the fifth commandment, did she die at 56 years of age?

This is a boy who holds what bible knowledge he has very strongly - he already talks of being a missionary to Iran (and the idea of martyrdom is not a big deal to him). He's a great son.

A simple "God's sovereignty" lesson is not, I think, what is called for. This, I am afraid, is a 'defining moment' sort of a question to him, where the bible is either the literal word of God and we can hold fast to every word, or it is prose and poetry easily trumped by God's whims and caprices (which may or may not be congruant to scripture) on the fly.

His mother (my wife) told him to ask his father (me). He will likely ask tomorrow over dinner and I have neither the wisdom nor the words to answer him in the way that I think is required.

My mother was a godly woman and did indeed honor her father and mother - to a fault even. There are some theological questions from my wife and children that I can rise to and answer well, with some confidence.

This one hits too close to home.

Help, please.

__________________
Kevin
Far East
Deacon, Int'l Church