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Some Thoughts on
Cremation
Dr. Marc A.
Graham, Director
Biblical Counseling Center of Southeast
Michigan
INTRODUCTION:
Historically, the Christian faith
has rejected as unbiblical the idea of cremation due to the fact
that the burial of the body reflects the hope of the resurrection.
There is great emphasis in Scripture placed upon the hope of the
resurrection of the body. Abraham purchased a place for his bones
to be buried (Genesis 23:1-20; 25:7-10). Joseph was concerned that
his bones be carried out of Egypt and buried in the Promised Land
(Genesis 50:24-26). The Jews in the Old Testament placed great
importance on the burying of the body. We also find this emphasis
in the New Testament.
I. THE EXAMPLE OF
JESUS.
A. In anticipation of resurrection,
Jesus' body was not cremated, but was buried.
1. Thus, we are told in Romans
8:11---And if the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead
is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give
life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in
you.
B. The message of the Gospel, then,
has developed three doctrinal points---
1. Christ died for our sins (1 Cor.
15:3).
2. He was buried (1 Cor. 15:4).
3. He rose again on the third day (1
Cor. 15:4).
C. Jesus likened His death, burial
and resurrection to planting a seed (John 12:24).
II. BURIAL OF THE
RIGHTEOUS.
A. In the Bible, believers in Christ
were always buried. They were never cremated.
B. The Bible records the burials of
John the Baptist (Mark 6:29), Lazarus (John 11:17-19), and Stephen
(Acts 8:2) are examples.
III. OTHER NOTABLE BURIAL
PASSAGES.
A. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts
5:5-6,10).
B. Unsaved people (Luke 16:22 and
Matthew 27:7).
C. The great doctrinal chapter on
the resurrection in I Corinthians 15 emphasizes the burial of the
body (1 Cor. 15:35-44). The "sowing" of the body here is the
burial of the body in the grave.
IV. BURIAL RESPECTS THE
DIGNITY OF MAN WHO IS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF
GOD.
A. The male and female body receive
much attention in the Word.
B. It was made by God's special
creation (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7,21-24).
C. The body has dignity as the
"temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
D. Therefore, the body is important
and should be shown respect in burial.
V. CREMATION WAS PRACTICED
ONLY UNDER SINFUL CONDITIONS.
A. Pagan human sacrifice (Deut.
12:31; 18:10; Jer. 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; Ezekiel 16:20-21, etc.).
Thus, the religion of the Jews forbade the burning of the body
whether alive or dead, as this was associated with worship of false
gods.
B. Even when the Achan and his
family were stoned and burned this was a response to sin and
symbolized God's judgement and that evil must be purged from his
people (Joshua 7:25-26). The act of fire and burning was
God's severe punishment on sin. (Example-some sexual sins called
forth the punishment of God via fire---see Leviticus 20:14; 21:9).
Thus, God is said to be a consuming fire in Hebrews
12:29.
C. Burnt bones on the altar was a
sign of desecration (1 Kings 13:1-2; 2 Kings 23:15-18).
VI. LACK OF BURIAL WAS SEEN
AS A CURSE.
A. Jer. 16:4; 22:19; 1 Kings 14:11;
Deut. 28:26.
B. Also, the context of Amos 2:1
states that there is no good reason for cremation.
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