(11) Living Memory – How Far Back Does it Reach?

Living Memory – How long is it?

Let us consider what is meant by "Within Living Memory". It embraces a longer stretch of time than we might think at first glance.

At the time of Christ, the rate of infant mortality was very high, as was the tragic death of the mother in childbirth. Very many children died before reaching maturity. And throughout life, there were infectious diseases and other incidents which ensured that only a minority lived to the Biblical 'threescore years and ten' 'or eighty if he is strong'. This left the Average Life expectancy at about 25. Yet in the community there were always people of sound mind aged 75 or 80. These people would have memories of their youth; they would have clear recollections of things seen and heard when they were twenty years old – and even earlier. But let us take a conservative estimate. They would clearly remember a memorable event that happened 60 years before. And one of those events could well be, to have spoken with one who, at that time, was himself 75 or 80 years old. This person in his turn could remember back 60 years. Thus it would be possible to speak to a senior citizen who could relate to you their clear memory of hearing about events that happened one hundred and twenty years previously. Add to this the well-established fact that, before universal literacy taught us different skills, people in general had well-trained memories, it will be seen that "Living Memory" extended back 120 years and more. Thus the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Mission of the Apostles, generally dated at 33AD, would still be within "Living Memory" in 150 AD.