Cremation has become an increasingly popular practice today, not only in other nations, but in America as well. The general attitude is, "It doesn't matter how you are buried or if you are buried or what happens to your body." Increasingly, professing evangelical Christians are supportive of the practice of cremation, saying, "It doesn't really matter--I will be in heaven anyway."
I recently heard on the radio a leading Baptist pastor of one of the largest and most influential Baptist churches in Texas. He was speaking about the resurrection and about the hope believers have in Christ after death. In the midst of his message, he stated that it doesn't matter if we are buried or cremated, and that the Bible doesn't have any more support for one view than the other.
Is he correct? Is the Bible neutral on the subject? Is cremation a biblically sanctioned practice? For us today, we can simply ask the question--is cremation Christian? Is it something a Christian should embrace?
The Bible does show that heathen nations practiced evil types of cremation in the context of demon worship and a complete departure from the worship of the true God. The Scriptures also teach theologically that the body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit and ought not to be desecrated. If the physical body of the Christian has become holy, as the very temple of God Himself, then it ought never to be willfully destroyed by a man-made practice that is not condoned in Scripture.
But perhaps the greatest answer is the example we find in Scripture of what those in Old Testament and the New Testament times did with the bodies of their dead. The simple answer is that they buried them. Burial was the practice, never cremation.
Abraham's wife, Sarah, was buried- "After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, east of Mamre in the land of Canaan." - Genesis 23:19
Moses was buried- "Isaac and Ismael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, east of Mamre . . . there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife." - Genesis 25:9
Deborah, Rebekah's servant and nurse, was buried by Jacob- "And Deborah died and she was buried under an oak below Bethel. So he [Jacob] called its name Allon-bacuth [weeping]." - Genesis 35:8
Rachel was buried- "So Rachel died and she was buried on the way to Ephrath and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb." - Genesis 35:19 (See also Gen. 48:7)
Isaac was buried- "And Isaac breathed his last and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him."
- Genesis 35:29
Jacob requested to be buried in Canaan, not in Egypt- "Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place." - Genesis 47:29-30 (See also 49:29)
Moses was buried by God Himself - "So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, and he [God] buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Bethpeor, but no one knows the place of his burial to this day." - Deut. 34:5-7
In the New Testament, Lazarus was buried (John 11) and Jesus was buried, as were all others referred to in Scripture specifically.
If the example of the godly saints in Scripture means anything (and it does), then cremation is simply not a valid or God-honoring practice that any Christian should condone or consider.
Cremation is neither biblical or exemplary for the Christian today and we ought not to let the standard down just because some are going the way of the world, adopting heathen practices.
- Mack Tomlinson
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4 comments:
Haven't commented on this site before, but I had to comment on this subject.
Amos 2:1, 'Thus says the Lord, for three transgressions of Moab, and for four I will not turn away its punishment, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.'
In reading Matthew Henry's commentary he says concerning this
'...it is senseless to abuse dead bodies, nay, it is impious, for we believe and look for the resurrection...'
He comments also that these were two pagan nations, yet God was not overlooking punishing Moab for what they had done.
Also, notice, this is the only transgression of the four that is mentioned.
For me personally, I find the idea of cremation repugnant and godless.
Many might argue that there is nothing mentioned in the New Testament concerning it.
But, scripture tells us in Romans 14v23, 'But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith, for whatever is not from faith is sin.'
Yes, this scripture speaks concerning food, and of course, cannibalism is wrong. But we are looking at the fact that if it is not from faith, it is sin.
James 4v17, 'Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.'
Of course, the dead person is not responsible for what happens to them after death, but the family is.
It seems somewhat of a muddy subject, but as we look into the word of God, we cannot see God's acceptance of it.
God bless.
Yes, good short article. This is what I've been teaching for years see http://www.kingshouse.org/cremation.htm
Here's my question: Is it forbidden in the law of God? Are there repercussions God sets forth for those who do it?
If someone lives a faithful life that brings glory to Christ and then has their body burned after they die is that some way an unpardonable sin? or will they loose their salvation?
Sorry I'm not trying to troll, but I've known godly and faithful people who have been cremated who saw their bodies as nothing but a vessel, and believed the vessel only has it's honor by what is within.
The body is only the temple of God as the Spirit dwells within it, if the spirit has departed, then the structure is nothing.
I personally believe once the soul departs we will be with the Lord, and when the time comes we will receive a glorified body (not a refurbished body).
If it will save my family money and they have no problems with it, I have no problem with being cremated. I won't necessarily request it, but I do prefer the idea that my body will return to the dust and the breath of life given me will return to the Father's bosom.
I apologize if my tone seems harsh. I totally don't mean it that way. I am very conservative theologically, but I find the idea that cremation is some how a sin to be pretty legalistic.
Apeleutheros, I would humbly say that brother Mack might not want this comment section to be the place for an extened debate about this issue. You can, however; e-mail if you wish hissaint@hotmail.com and we could discuss it. :)
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