Don, Debbie, Deanna, Dale

Original Article (click here)

I read this article, and wanted to give my feedback on it. However, the feedback forum only allows 700 words. Well, you can read the article below and my comments (in orange) below.
Don Bursell

Cremation or Burial?
Jim Elliff

There is no sin in cremation, that is for sure. Yet he will spend the remainder of this article trying to prove it as wrong. Hmm. And there is no inability on God's part to raise a cremated body from the dead. But is cremation, a practice most often seen in Eastern religions, the best for the believer in Christ? This "Eastern religions" argument is purely not acceptable. Drums and rhythym instruments are used in trible rituals in pagan cultures. Does this mean that we should not use them in Christian worship? Absolutely not. The drum itself is NOT sacreligious. It is how it is used and for what purpose. Pianos are used in Satanic worship, but does that automatically make pianos of the devil? No. Everything God created is capable of being used for good or bad. What intentions are behind the use of these items/practices?

It is clarifying to note that burial was God's preferred method of disposing of the body of Moses. God had the power to cremate Moses' body on the spot, but rather, this gentle and loving phrase is found: "[God] buried him in the valley in the land of Moab" (Deut. 34:6). This fact alone is enough for me. If God chose this method Himself, then it certainly should be my preference also.
But the Bible also uses other forms of burial (Jesus' body placed in a tomb), so does the author's statement still hold true that this is God's chosen method? Many followers were martyred by burning. Does God find any less honor in their deaths because of the way their bodies were "disposed of"??

We must add, for a second reason, that burial underground (or in tombs) was the ordained method for the patriarchs, for God's chosen people, and for New Testament believers. There are numerous references to this, from Abraham's burial in the cave of Machpelah to Lazarus' entombment in a crypt. The bodies of these saints were kept, as much as possible, in their original state, awaiting the resurrection of the body.

For a third reason, consider the death of Christ Himself. He is our example in everything. Christ was in charge of His death. As He said, "No one has taken [my life] away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative" (John 10:18). This statement says nothing about burial or cremation. Certainly His burial was no accident either. The dramatic events God ordained to take place included the tomb as an essential ingredient. It accentuated His resurrection. Jesus could have just as easily ressurected from a process that destroyed His body. His power was not bound by the basic restrictions of burial, or cremation.

A fourth part of the rationale has to do with the place the body plays in our theology. Christianity is the most materialistic of the religions in this respect. That is, it gives an importance to the body and to all things tangible that other religions do not. However, the body is not what is "saved" by conversion. It is the soul. For Hindus, the body is evil. This is why you find some Hindus practicing religious ritual abuse of their bodies or meditating for long periods in an attempt to escape their bodies. I've seen the burning of Indian bodies on a funeral pyre. There is no glory to God in it. But Christianity sees the body as useful, rather than evil. It can do much good, if a believer is controlled by the Spirit. It is so valued by God that the very body we are living in will be raised up one day, made new for eternity. For this reason, we symbolize the importance of the body by burying it with love. And why can't we just "cremate it with love"? With the importance that this author places on the physical body, I wonder what his take is on a believer that dies in a fire? Surely God can resurrect that man. The same power can resurrect a body that is cremated. God is not bound by OUR circumstances. We are subject to HIS.

Fifth, the burial of Christians was designed by God as the basis for our understanding of baptism. Though baptism does not save, it does picture our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ (cf. Rom. 6:3-4). Such a powerful picture as baptism is dependent for its meaning on the burial of Christ and of believers. What does the sanctity of baptism prove about burial, or not burial?

Finally, we should bury because the grave is such a potent reminder of the future resurrection. I recently stood beside the graves of some famous authors in New Hampshire. Staring at their burial site reminded me again of the future bodily resurrection of both believers and non-believers, some to a resurrection of life and the others to a resurrection of judgment (cf. John 5:28-29). Again, this author places value on a dead body. It reminds me of the gruesome thing that Benny Hinn once said. He said that he "felt the annointing from the bones of Aimee Semple McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman by visiting their graves". (from his book, Double Portion Annointing. 1991)

As family and friends look at my grave one day, I am hopeful that it will keep on preaching the gospel. I want my family to spare no expense to put a clear message on that stone. But mostly I want that stone to remind people of a coming new day, which those in Christ should find most exhilarating. I've tried to say something in my life; I want to say something in death as well. And I hope that what is said will make clear what is ahead. Once again, his point is regards to burial/cremation is what? He could just as easily place a plaque next to his urn that that gives the same clear message.

Not long ago I stood by the grave of my mother. It is hard to imagine a more selfless and sincere believer. On her stone were these simple words, taken from a hymn she would sing to herself day after day: "Jesus is all the world to me." It's a powerful message that reminds me to put Christ first in everything. I rejoiced that she will be "raised imperishable," body, soul and spirit, at the resurrection of the righteous (1 Corinthians 15:52). His point? I don't see his point, and what he proves with this statement. I don't doubt his mother was as he says, but by being a "sincere believer" and being buried in the ground, what is the connection?

I realize that some will die at sea and others will be blown apart by bombs during war. But if at all possible, I recommend that you honor your dead loved ones by burial, keeping the body unchanged as much as you can. There will be change enough at the resurrection of the dead.
Exactly what are we doing by "honoring your dead loved ones by burial"?
I think this author wants to make his point so badly that he is willing to create his own arguments. His "sincere" Mom's death, using baptism as the argument against cremation and claiming God's example of "burying Moses" as THE way to go in death. For me, none of these make a clear statement FOR or AGAINST the burial/cremation discussion.

1 Cor 6:19, 20 - These verses are examples of the worth God puts on the human body. Note though, that in both verses, and in the others I have found, that the worth is put on the LIVING body and how we treat it, and not on the body after death. God's salvation, and honor of Him, comes through us (our bodies) in life, not after death. Salvation comes to us in LIFE, not when we are dead (physically). God clearly tells us to honor Him in our bodies, but I see the Bible clearly telling us to do that while our bodies are alive. After death, we are given a new earth, a new heaven and NEW BODIES.

Just my thoughts.

Don