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.
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?
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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...
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#cremationPilgrim, 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.
