The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Cremation for the Christian?

1. In my readings and study over the years on this issue I have found that only pagan nations practiced the burning of humans for whatever reason. I can find no example within the nation of Israel where an individual was cremated after death. I find no injunction nor even that which can be implied that God's true people should cremate their dead. In every instance we read of the dead being buried, placed in a tomb, etc.

2. The text referenced above, Gen 18:27 has no relevance to the subject of cremation. Rather it is simply states that the NATURAL decomposition of the body, as is the case with all organic life is born, dies and eventually returns to the earth in the form of its basic composition.

3. However, what we do have in the NT are a number of references to the "sanctity" of the body (Matt 26:12,26; Jh 2:19-21,40; 8:23; 1Cor 6:13,19; Phil 1:20; et al). Further, our earthly body, which God has been pleased to create for the dwelling of the soul and for those who are called to be redeemed in Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, will be raised as a spiritual and incorruptible body. Throughout the NT we are commanded to care for our bodies and not abuse them neither externally nor internally through the committing of certain sins.

From just the above it seems to me that cremation is not warranted by Scripture.