cremation

No. It is mentioned but no moral judgments are made.

 

I agree. I can't find anything biblically that mentions cremation judgementally one way or another.

[ December 19, 2002, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Johnv ]

 

Often the wicked were judged by fire and a symbolism for a curse was the cremation of the body.

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

The New Testament supports Burial.

 

Saul and his sons were cremated.

Not because of idolatry, but to prevent the enemy from desecrating his corpse. It was to preserve his honour.

 

Often the wicked were judged by fire

Fire was also a symbol of purity and cleansing. It can go both ways.

However, modern cremation does not involve burning of the body, so I don't see the connection.

Cremation has always been deeply connected to idolatry
Since the topic here is whether cremation is spoken against biblically, this point is neither here nor there, especially given that both cremation and ground burial have connections to idolatry.

and the worship of false gods is almost always connected to fire.
Burning bush???? God stopping the Egyptians with a pillar of fire? These are neither false gods, nor are they negative symbols.

 

Johnv;what exactly do you mean modern cremation does not involve burning the body? Brutus

 

This adds nothing to the discussion. However, I was talking to someone about cremation and they asked me, "Wouldn't that hurt?"

Other than that I cannot say yes or no to it.

 

Main Entry: rel·ic
Pronunciation: 're-lik
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English relik, from Old French relique, from Medieval Latin reliquia, from Late Latin reliquiae, plural, remains of a martyr, from Latin, remains, from relinquere to leave behind -- more at RELINQUISH
Date: 13th century
1 a : an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr b : SOUVENIR, MEMENTO
2 plural : REMAINS, CORPSE
3 : a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance
4 : a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief

There was/is a cultish veneration of the bones/relics of the early church fathers, among the catholics. Peter's relics are supposed to be buried under the vatican. The early Roman Christians were buried in the catacombs, and I suppose that those who were venerated would have their bones passed around for worship and adoration. This would certainly fall under idolitry.

Older believers feel that cremation is desecration of the body, and as has been pointed out, Abraham and the Patriarchs practiced burial. In the case of Joseph, he would probably have been mumified, and his body was brought back to be buried in the Promised Land.

This old body is just a cracked clay depository of the soul, and I figure its probably no-deposit no-return

There are so many believers that have their bodies destroyed in fires, explosians, horrendous accidents, with very few body parts remaining, if at all. Hundreds were killed without a trace on 9/11. The disposal of the body is absolutely irrelevant, for through our glorious Lord Jesus we are bound for glory and this imperfection shall put on perfection.

Praise the Lord and let this old broken gray-headed body be dumped in the nearest landfill for all that I care. Color me gooonnnneeee!!!!

 

bump

 

I don't think it's COOL!

Merry CHRISTmas to all!

 

Modern cremation uses heat to accellerate the natural decomposition process. The body is not burned, it is dehydrated. What is left over is a few pounds of ash, made of of mostly carbon and remaining elements that make up the body. When a body is buried in the ground, this process takes a few years. Our bones decay as well, but the process may take a bit longer if conditions fluctuate.

In modern cremation, one's remains do not come in direct contact with a flame.

 

NO