|
This is my second try on the topic of cremation and
suicide. I spent almost an hour writing
earlier today, tried saving it on the web page and then lost the whole thing. I need to learn this technology! I also need to apologize for not blogging for
a while. I have been swamped with work
and life. Nonetheless, I figured I
better blog on this subject because I said I would in last week’s message.
A few weeks ago I preached on the end times. I then followed that with a message on heaven
and now this coming Sunday on hell. In
last week’s message I briefly touched on cremation and suicide because a few
folks asked if I would do so. I also
mentioned that I was going to blog on these two subjects during the week this
week. I hope a late Friday night blog
entry on cremation fulfills part of my commitment. I will blog tomorrow on suicide.
What about
cremation? Periodically I get asked what
I think about cremation, an increasingly common practice these days in America. I believe that the practice comes from
Hinduism and the teaching of reincarnation.
Pastorally, I cannot say that to cremate a loved one or to plan on being
cremated is a sin. However, if someone
asks me what I think I simply state that I do not plan on being cremated since
the practice does not come from Christianity.
Hank Hanegraaff, in his book on the resurrection, shares
three reasons why Christians should choose burial over cremation: “1. Scripture
clearly favors burial over cremation in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus was buried, and our baptism is equated
with both burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4).
2. Burial symbolizes the promise of resurrection by anticipating the
preservation of the body, while cremation symbolizes the pagan worldview of
reincarnation. 3. Burial highlights the
sanctity of the human body (Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 19-20).” Hank
Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Nashville: Word
Publishing, 2000)
I agree with the above paragraph and the three reasons for
choosing burial over cremation.
Nonetheless, if you have a loved one who has been cremated I would not
live in guilt over the decision that was made.
Again, I cannot say that it is sinful to be cremated. Most people today, including believers, do it
either because they believe it costs less or simply because it has become a
more common practice.
A related question to this subject is what happens at the
bodily resurrection for the believer who has been cremated. The answer is real simple. The Lord of the universe who created with a
simple word can very easily put back together and transform the bodies of those
who have been cremated or blown apart in war or any other tragic end to their
life.
So what do you think about cremation?
 |
Sermons 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
New Testament Reading Guide
Our first concerns should be our walk with God and the souls of others. I have a familiarity with the process of grieving, rejoicing and funeral arrangements having attended countless memorials begininng at an early age and having prepared at one time to become a mortician.... (Barb helped refocus my career choice).
One of the more lighthearted moments of my life came at my own mom's interment following a cremation and 2 wonderful memorial services. I will not share that incident on this blog but my family and I can look back 9 years later with laughter as well as joy that she was with the Lord and finally in her temporary place of rest....Tim.