Is Cremation for Christians?

Maybe we should ask the martyrs who were burned at the stake or used for human torches in Roman gardens?

Burning is fast oxidation. Rot is slow oxidation. The issue is speed, not method, if you really consider it.

 

I always connect cremation with heathenism & curses. Jesus was buried.

 

That's interesting. How did you come to that association? - if you don't mind my asking.

I've never had a problem with cremation. Jesus was buried (or entombed, really), but to me that doesn't imply that that's the only way to go.

I've written that I'm to be cremated, as have my parents.

 

Assuming the person is dead at the time, I don't see anything wrong with cremation.

Mike

 

There's nothing remotely immoral, unbiblical, or sinful about cremation. Once we're dead, our physical bodies serve no purpose except for our dearly departed to dispose of.

BTW - Jesus was not buried. He never got that far. His body was laid in an above ground temporary tomb to await further disposition after the Sabbath. By the time the Sabbath ended, Jesus' body was gone.

 

I don't care what you do with my body one way or another after I am dead. I will be kicking it with the Lord! I would prefer if you make up my face to look like Tom Cruise for the funeral but that is optional.

 

I don't know, Helen. Following that logic...we're all dying, so should we speed the process?!

 

Cremation is NOT for God's people! Just research the origin of cremation...yes, it has a heathen origin.

Abraham, Sarah, Rachel, Isaac, John the Baptist, and Stephen are just a few of God's people listed in the Bible that were buried. I can not recall ONE Biblical example of any of God's people requesting to be cremated!

When we are baptised...is it not a picture of the death, BURIAL, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ?!

The Lord said in Amos 2:1, "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he BURNED THE BONES of the king of Edom into lime:" (KJB)

Our bodies belong to God whether we are alive or dead (Romans 14:8) and we should take care of it. I shall NOT be cremated!

 

A couple of verses come to mind about Jesus & being buried...Col.2:12 and Rom.6:4(KJBible)

Death, burial and resurrection are the Lord's clear pattern. Cremation is barbaric and heathen.

Cremation has always been deeply connected to idolatry and the worship of false gods is almost always connected to fire.

***Here's a piece of an article on the subject:

“Between 1876 and 1884 there were only 28 recorded cremations in the U.S. During the 1960’s and 70’s many changes in our culture began to occur in a time of social instability fueled by the doctrines of secular humanism, the basic tenant of which is man is not accountable to any higher power or God. From this doctrine of human autonomy have come both the acceptance of abortion and the practice of cremation. The right to do both of these barbaric rituals is claimed on the basis of the false concept that one’s body belongs to himself and he can do with it whatsoever he pleases. Consequently, by 1977, 7% of all human corpses were reduced to bone fragments and ashes by cremation in this country. By 1993 that percentage had increased to nearly 20%. That percentage will continue to increase as Americans reject Biblical Christianity and adopt the so-called New Age thinking which is nothing more than ancient and pagan Hinduism and Buddhism in new garb.” (Burial or Cremation, by Royce Smith, M.A., Th.M., Th.D. Published by Bethel Baptist Church-Watchman Press, Lawton, OK.)

 

Pastor Bob, Granny, and Farmer's Wife,

Let's say someone *was* cremated. What then? Does God get mad at them in heaven? Is there any ramifications?

 

Good grief, Charlie Brown!

With space on earth becoming a premium item, I think it is irresponsible not to consider cremation. In Holland, a body only rents the burial space for ten years.....The site is then leased to the new occupant. In some countries, they are doubling up.

What a waste of money that could better support the surviving members. I am always glad when I visit the mortician and he sends me back home for another cuppa..

Cheers in the Lord,

Jim

 

The only creamation I can think of in the Bible is Saul. And that wasn't neccessarily considered proper.

 

Resurrected in the same body???

Which body? The one you had seven years ago had entirely different cells than the one you have now. Proteins are dismantled and reassembled daily. Baby teeth fall out.

You probably have atoms in your body that Aristotle had, that Jack the Ripper had, that the apostle Paul had, that Ghenghis Khan had.... you want there should be a fight over who gets which molecules?

Besides, I don't WANT this body! It has already lost too many pieces!

For those of you who feel strongly about burial, fine. I don't. It was only the body of the Holy One which did not see decay. Mine has already started!

But it was rather silly to talk about hurrying up the process of death. That is rather different from decay once you ARE dead...

Quite frankly, the thought of what happens during cremation and what happens in the ground regarding worms and all after burial definitely makes me prefer the former! But if my loved ones prefer to bury me, that's fine, too. If the Lord delays in coming, my atoms and molecules will get recycled one way or another.

God knows how to create a resurrection body for each of us. I don't think He needs my help.

[ October 02, 2002, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

Here's my test. Somebody in complete innocence, who has no clue, decides to cremate a loved one. Did harm come about? It's not a sin for him since he knew no better. Its not an extra level of difficulty for the One who Omnipotently will resurrect the beloved. Salvation status, of course, is not threatened for any of the parties. And when the dearly departed arrives at the golden gate, does St Peter cluck cluck and say "Hmmm - you were cremated - Ahh, what a shame?"

No harm no foul I say! And shame on anyone who criticizes another for their choice in this matter.

 

GrannyGumbo is correct again and Farmers Wife is right on too. Amos 2: 1 illustrates that cremation should be avoided. The LORD’s own “burial” illustrates the way to go on this subject. Above ground burial seems best because that is what the LORD had. Lazarus too! (John 11, especially v38).

Jim1999 makes a good point about "cost," (the LORD recieved this type of burial due to the destiny of Joseph of Arimethea). But this is precisely why we should not let "cost" be a factor to what the Bible teaches. Good topic Bob 63. Lots of folks never really think this one through.

latterrain77

[ October 02, 2002, 07:26 PM: Message edited by: latterrain77 ]

 

Christians have been blown to bits during war. There were probably many Christians who were instantly incinerated on 09/11. There are Christians who were torpedoed in the seas during war, or bombed. Only God knows where all the atoms and molecules of all those bodies are. When the time of Resurrection comes, God will bring them all together for those believers to have their new glorified bodies.

Is cremation a sin? I doubt it. The Scripture doesn't say one way or another. The heathen did sacrifice their children, burning them in the fires to Molech. Funeral pyres aren't found in Jewish or Christian traditions, as far as I know.

Joseph's bones were carried from Egypt; he was probably embalmed in the typical fashion done with the Pharoahs, organs placed in jars, etc. He was probably a mummy. Every body else who died in the Bible I can think of right off hand was buried. Except for Lot's wife.

My personal preference is to be buried. I don't want my ashes sitting on a mantel (or someone elses, if there is hanky panky afoot like what happened a few months ago down in Georgia). I don't want people shaking the urn or tin can saying "hi mom."

I've heard horror stories of relatives fighting over ashes and the funeral home having to divide the ashes among the survivors.

Stick this ole body in the ground. When the trumpet blows, I'll be one of the first to rise to meet Him in the air. It might take a tad bit longer for cremated atoms to come together! LOL!