Burial Or Cremation For Christians...

[Standing Firm In Christ]

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

[OLD fashioned preacher]

When God had a "method of choice" in disposing Moses' body he could have burned it to ensure that no one who find his body (Deut 34:6) but chose to bury it. In baptism and the Lord's supper we find a death , BURIAL, and resurrection.

Other means do not hinder resurrection, but fast forward 4 generations of no burial (perhaps due to government mandate for public safety, land management, environmental concerns and economics). ---  As you discuss the Lord's supper or baptism the honest question arises, "What's burial?", followed by, "Why would so many Christians knowingly mar, defile, or mangle such a vibrant picture of the Lord's provision for us [died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures] in eliminating or bypassing an opportunity for burial?" 

[Standing Firm In Christ]

As I said, I am totally against cremation.  However, because of the economy, my income, and the horrendous cost of coffins and burial, I am afraid my loved ones may have to cremate my body when I pass.

God said He would not dismiss punishment for the transgression of the burning of the bones of Edom into lime.

That tells me cremation is a transgression that, during the dispensation of the Law, was unforgiveable and required some form of punishment.

Pretty serious.

And to think that may be the only choice my loved ones have... to do something that God is displeased with.

[ASongOfDegrees]

Burials should be the first choice for Christians, and I believe it is the right way to leave.

 

Cremation is the cheap way out, I am not against cremation, and I don't think it's a sin, but what do you think?

 

 

Some folks may not have the money for a burial. It's not cheap. 

 

I see nothing wrong with cremation.  Just because it was the way the Jews practiced means nothing. Nowhere in the bible is there a commandment about burial only. Pagans also had themselves buried so that angle won't work either. Also, many things had pagan origins which doesn't necessarily make them evil. 

[ASongOfDegrees]

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

So only those who were buried will hear his voice? I think you are taking the verse too literally.

[ASongOfDegrees]

Interesting how this OT practice of burying, among God's people, is carried into Christianity. It is carried over and practiced without any clear direction by the Bible? 

Apparently, but than so was keeping the Sabbath on a Sunday.

[swathdiver]

Interesting how this OT practice of burying, among God's people, is carried into Christianity. It is carried over and practiced without any clear direction by the Bible? 

 

Just like t*%^I@g?  

 

I know of Christians who were cremated and then buried in little plots together.

 

When I go just bury me next to the nearest oak tree.  I'll build my own casket before I go.  I like woodworking projects.  Five Is, starting to sound like Obama!

[The Glory Land]

Some folks may not have the money for a burial. It's not cheap. 

 

I see nothing wrong with cremation.  Just because it was the way the Jews practiced means nothing. Nowhere in the bible is there a commandment about burial only. Pagans also had themselves buried so that angle won't work either. Also, many things had pagan origins which doesn't necessarily make them evil. 

 

 

I said, it was the cheap way out, not that you're cheap. Can you borrow me  $1,500  

[Salyan]

Didn't the first century Christians bury their dead? I don't think it's being pulled only from the Jews. And as stated earlier, in the thread, there are symbolic reasons why it's good to practice burial rather than cremation.

 

If you want to compare to other practices, I guess one way we could look at it is: Some pagans practiced cremation, and some practiced burial.  The early Christians practiced burial - did any practice cremation?

 

I guess I consider cremation to be on the same level as drinking. It is not specifically forbidden by God, but He makes clear how much He dislikes it.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Some like to refer to Paul, where he said, "though I give my body to be burned" and say that is cremation and Paul did not say it was wrong. 

I don't believe Paul was endorsing cremation there, but rather that he was speaking of martyrdom.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

Baptism: a picture of the death, disposal, and resurrection of Christ. We die to self, are disposed in Christ and raised to walk in newness of life. The Spirit disposed us into the Body.

 

I know, that's ridiculous -- but I didn't set up the symbolism and am no more inclined to mar it than I would be inclined to mar the Ephesians 5 analogy seen in marriage by "marrying" two lost people.

[Guest]

"Disposal?" I had never heard that term used before. Burial yes disposal no. 

 

I've always heard...death-burial-resurrection.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

"Disposal?" I had never heard that term used before. Burial yes disposal no. 

 

I've always heard...death-burial-resurrection.

I'm referring to the impact of eliminating burial.

If nobody buries for 4-5 generations, how do you get the concept across.

[Guest]

Burial of God's people is carried into the New Testament and beyond as can be seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 & John 11:38-44.

I'm surprised here, many times, you especially have said if there is no clear Bible direction then it is of man. I find no reference saying you "will" bury or you "will not" cremate. None of these references (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 & John 11:38-44) forbid cremation.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

I'm surprised here, many times, you especially have said if there is no clear Bible direction then it is of man. I find no reference saying you "will" bury or you "will not" cremate. None of these references (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 & John 11:38-44) forbid cremation.

Nor did I say it was a mandate.  I just believe the Bible gives the standards for God's people.  unless you can show me a crematorium in the Bible where God's people take their dead, you'll not convince me that He approves of the body being burned to lime.  Matter of fact, according to the Bible, He said burning the bones of the Edom was a transgression.  Doesn't sound like it was acceptable to me at all.

I can present plenty verses to show God's people were buried and that they will be called out of the grave when the Rapture occurs.  I have yet to find a verse that says all that are in the urns will hear His voice, but I can find one that says those in the graves will.

Is there instruction there that we are to be buried only?  No.  But there certainly is example.