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
