The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Cremation for the Christian?

I'm 75 today and I've been working on my 'final arrangements' just to make it easier on those left if death comes sooner than I hope. After arranging my mother's funeral where she was transported from one State to a neighboring State, I saw the expense and complications of it. I have been thinking of cremation for myself to make it easier on those I leave. The transfer from FL to my plot in WV would be so much easier if my ashes are in a box, urn, or whatever. My Pastor has no objections to this and has had funerals for those cremated. The only Bible verse I can find is this: "Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes." (Gen 18:27, NRSV) I admit, I enjoy the words of the following:

"Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself." 1662 Book of Common Prayer

Of course the 1662 Book of Common Prayer also has the long gone phrase for the bride at the ceremony "...for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part..."

Anyway, viewpoints or comments on cremation for the Christian? I had no question much until a few days ago I read an article by the Southern Baptist theologian R. Albert Mohler, Jr., who opposed cremation for the believer.

1. In my readings and study over the years on this issue I have found that only pagan nations practiced the burning of humans for whatever reason. I can find no example within the nation of Israel where an individual was cremated after death. I find no injunction nor even that which can be implied that God's true people should cremate their dead. In every instance we read of the dead being buried, placed in a tomb, etc.

2. The text referenced above, Gen 18:27 has no relevance to the subject of cremation. Rather it is simply states that the NATURAL decomposition of the body, as is the case with all organic life is born, dies and eventually returns to the earth in the form of its basic composition.

3. However, what we do have in the NT are a number of references to the "sanctity" of the body (Matt 26:12,26; Jh 2:19-21,40; 8:23; 1Cor 6:13,19; Phil 1:20; et al). Further, our earthly body, which God has been pleased to create for the dwelling of the soul and for those who are called to be redeemed in Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, will be raised as a spiritual and incorruptible body. Throughout the NT we are commanded to care for our bodies and not abuse them neither externally nor internally through the committing of certain sins.

From just the above it seems to me that cremation is not warranted by Scripture.

Thanks for the reply, Pilgrim. You have presented the traditional, historical and conservative viewpoint well and it is similar to some articles I'd read that caused me to do more study. It has historically been the Christian view admittedly. When I quoted Gen. 18:27, it was to match with the Anglican Book of Common Prayer burial service, dust and ashes, so like you, I thought of the composition of the body. But I've found something interesting about that verse though and I'll give some quotes.

"Abraham answered, “Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord." (Gen. 18:27, Amplified Bible-2015) I found it interesting that this version inserted [in origin] at dust. I then found statements in 3 commentaries that seemed of interest on this:

"Dust and Ashes.] In the Heb., which loves alliteration, gaphar va-aipher: dust in my origin, and ashes in my end. (Alford.)" https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/phc/genesis-18.html I take it that this scholar thinks it is a Hebrew idiom.
The K&D Commentary has “dust in his origin, and ashes in the end”
Albert Barnes writes: "'Dust and ashes.' This may refer to the custom of burning the dead, as then coexistent with that of burying them." I do find 2 references to burning the dead, 1 Sam. 31:12 & Amos 6:10, though they aren't shining examples.

I stumbled upon something else interesting, what is said concerning Jesus at the beginning of His life and then when they went to bury Him. At the preparation for burial it is stated:

"They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews." (John 19:40, NRSV)

At the beginning it reads:

"When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law" (Luke 2:22-27, NRSV)

There was the law of Moses about the purification, etc. emphatically pointed out; but, it seems there was no command as to burial rite, method or rituals in the law. There are no commands about it in the New Covenant. So, I go to what we all probably share about Christian liberty, though we all form theological constructions for ourselves that are not direct commands:

"God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or beside it in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also." Westminster Confession of Faith

"But if any man shall impose upon us anything that we see not to be commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, we should in His strength, rather embrace all reproaches and tortures of men, to be stript of all outward comforts, and if it were possible, to die a thousand deaths, rather than to do anything against the least tittle of the truth of God, or against the light of our own consciences." First London Confession of Faith of Baptists, 1644

While we are to respect the body and treat it well, most of the passages are about the living body, the person alive. When it comes to dignity and respect, an unusual code came to my mind: The U.S. Flag code states that, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Does burning automatically signal disrespect and dishonor, even of a dead body? But, the most potent point you make, Pilgrim, is the one I have been tussling with the most... historically heathen cremated, Christians buried with proper dignity and respect. I'm wondering though, if that changes with the historical time frame? The Roman Catholic Church, Church of England and the Anglicans, most Lutherans seem to have given the okay for cremation in this day so the stark difference between heathen and the Christians is not quite what it was in centuries past in other countries. I had asked an Anglican Rector here and he told me he performs services more for cremated people than traditional burial now, and my Baptist Pastor has performed services for those who've chosen cremation. I'm coming to see it as more a matter of 'witness' in death as the key point. If I do finally choose cremation, there will be a memorial service or funeral at the church with my urn present with my picture; I will be taken back to my family plot in WV and my cremains buried along side my parents and grandparents and three brothers, with a graveside service there. I do want the passage out of the Book of Common Prayer read at my service that looks forward to the resurrection. If I was living in my home area, I'd go for traditional burial for sure. It is not a matter of cost, but a matter of distance and trying to make it easier on my de facto son and my niece who will more than likely have the responsibility. By the way, the Eastern Orthodox Church is strongly opposed to cremation: http://stgeorgegoc.org/pastors-corner/fr-ricks-sermons/ashes-to-ashes-cremation

My view is certainly consistent with the "traditional, historical, and conservative viewpoint", which should not be considered pejorative but one which should cause serious thought to those who oppose it. And, FYI, my view on cremation was formed long before I read anyone else's view(s) on the subject. It just so happens to fall into that triad as you described. And why do you think that it has become the "traditional, historical and conservative" viewpoint? Perhaps the answer is that the Scriptures were the source for the overwhelming majority as it was for me?

The phrase "dust and ashes" is to me and countless others an expression of one's finiteness and unworthiness particularly when considering standing before the most Holy God, or in truth when even invading heaven to offer up a prayer to the LORD God. There are several such instances where men in Scripture are shown to express their lack of worth when confronted by God, e.g., 2 Samuel 9:8 (ASV) And he [Mephibosheth] did obeisance, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?". And, Job 42:5-6 (ASV) "I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; But now mine eye seeth thee: Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes." and Isaiah 6:5 (ASV) "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts." And one more, Luke 5:8 (ASV) "But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

I find no exegetical nor grammatical warrant to insert (eisogesis) "[in origin] and [in the end] into Gen 18:27.

RE: relegating cremation to the category of Adiaphora is a bit of a stretch, IMO.

Hardly a relevant comparison. And even more so, the US Supreme Court erred miserably in declaring that burning of the US flag is a legitimate expression of the First Amendment (freedom of speech). But even if one wishes to assert that it is legitimate "freedom of speech" (non-vocal speech?), the unspoken words expressed in the burning of the flag is one of aggression against the country of which the flag stands, and therefore one worthy of prosecution.

Enlisting the practice of apostate churches hardly bears any weight in behalf of the matter of whether Christians should be cremated. As you have admitted, burial has been the "traditional, historical and conservative viewpoint" of the Christian Church. That the visible church has quickly departed biblical Christianity over the past 150 years is without question. Thus, it shouldn't be surprising that the RCC, CoE and Lutherans have turned away from what has been the predominant view for centuries.

I have decided to retain cremation in my arrangements, having a church service with my ashes, and the ashes later placed in a grave along side my parents, brothers and grandparents. My final reasoning comes down to the following.

Being a New Covenant believer, I find no commands or instructions on burial, given by Jesus Christ, or anywhere in the New Covenant; and, I see no command or instruction against cremation in the Old Testament which is quoted in the New Covenant.

I agree with the answer given by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (not an apostate church) web site:

"In their textbook Pastoral Theology (used at our Synod's seminaries), LCMS Pastors Norbert H. Mueller and George Kraus offer this perspective:

'Not too long ago, the church viewed cremation negatively. Because the general public associated the practice with heathen religions and/or an attempt to disprove the possibility of the resurrection, Christians were reluctant to consider it. In itself, the practice has no theological significance and may be used in good conscience.'

Synod’s Lutheran Service Book Agenda, approved by the LCMS in convention, includes an instruction (rubric) for the committal of a person’s ashes, encouraging burial or interment and discouraging the scattering of the ashes.

Those Christians facing the death of a loved one or planning their own funerals are always encouraged to consider the opportunity a Christian’s funeral offers to give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ’s victory over death and His promise of the resurrection of our bodies for eternal life (John 6:40, 44, 54).

It is therefore beneficial, as we face such occasions and the decisions they involve, to seek our pastor’s support, advice, and counsel regarding the entirety of the funeral, including the question of cremation.

However, this is a matter of Christian freedom, and no Christian who chooses to have a loved one cremated rather than buried should be led to think that such a decision is sinful or in opposition to the Word of God."
https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs/faqs/lcms-views#cremation

Pilgrim, thanks for the exercise on the topic. As to my final decision, it is based squarely upon the Scriptures, based on its lack of command on rites or rituals concerning cremation to be found there. The two places of cremation in Scripture are not condemned.

I do not consider the commentaries I quoted on Gen. 18:27 to be practicing 'reading into' the verse, but presenting an interpretation. The phrase "dust and ashes" is found only 3 times in Scripture: Gen. 18:27; Job 30:19, 42:6. The Amplified Bible, the New English Translation (in its text note), and the YLT make a bit of a distinction on Gen. 18:27 apart from the other two occurrences. Even the KJV adds translator's words am but ahead of the "dust and ashes" in Gen. 18:27 which are not found in the other 2 occurrences. I do not know Hebrew, so I look at what scholars say on it and since I see the distinction made on the verse, I give it credence. It seems to be a semi-poetic manner to say the same as the following: "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Taken from Gen. 3:19 The semi-poetic nature of the phrase is because in transliteration it is "aphar" and "epher".

Rather than referring to my viewpoint as a matter of Adiaphora, I prefer the old Lutheran term, the "Open Questions". I'll quote from Evangelical Lutheran Dogmatics by Adolf Hoenecke, Vol 1. p518 -

"Now and then theological questions or problems surface in answer and solution to which Scripture provides insufficient or no material at all. Such questions are, for example, whether on judgment day the world will perish only according to its form or also according to its material; whether souls are reproduced (traducianism) or directly created (creationism), etc. In such problems one dare not prescribe a definite opinion for someone else and make the opposite opinion into a sin. In that way one would put himself in God's place." Pilgrim, I know you and I are discussing, not condemning each other for believing a sin in this.

My reference to the churches you call apostate, was not a statement that they are pure or true churches, but they are 'christendom' in the eyes of most unsaved people and in this day in the USA, the contrast between 'christendom' and heathen as it was in prior centuries is different, being in a different time in history. I don't hear anyone speaking of heathen in our land today cremating their loved ones.

Thanks again, this is one of my best ways of study, being challenged and must defend and support my belief on a matter. That takes a lot of digging and study.