Cremation And The Bible

Transcription

1 Cremation And The Bible By Pastor Ralph Blake

2 FORWARD Dear Reader, This booklet is sent forth with the prayer and hope that it will be used of God to the edification of His elect saints in this age of confusion. I am sure that many could have done a better job on this very important subject. But as I was able to locate nothing more than a few brief tracts on the subject, I felt compelled to put forth this effort by God s help. I humbly acknowledge the faithful brethren whose information I have used. Brother Royce Smith s tract BURIAL OR CREMA- TION Printed by Bethel Baptist Church - Watchman Press of Lawton, OK. And IS CREMATION CHRISTIAN? By Pastor Paul Tipton of the Riverview Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, FL. I also thank Brother David Cloud and the information on his website, Way of Life. These men are to be commended for seeing the evil in our day and giving a Biblical warning to those whom God has placed under their care. I would to God that more men who stand in our pulpits would speak out not only on this issue, but against the sins so prevalent in our days. May God bless you as you seek His truth. I am yours for Christ s sake, by His grace,

3 INTRODUCTION Ps. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: These three texts teach one simple truth. God s Word is the Light given by inspiration, that should be our only guide to keep us from sin, and to rebuke us when we do sin. Anyone who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ should desire to be guided by the light of God s Holy Word. For the child of God to ignore or disobey the Word of God is to walk in darkness. The only question is whether or not the Bible gives clear instructions for us to follow. The Subject of CREMATION is the focus of this booklet. The question is, does the Bible have anything to say about it, and if so, does it speak in favor of it or against it? As a child of God I hope that you will read this booklet with a desire to know God s will. We are NOT to be guided by our own thoughts or opinions, nor by what is cheap or easy, BUT by the Word of God. Even if you do not call yourself a Christian the principles and conclusions in this booklet apply to you as they come from God, the Creator of all men and all things. As the Creator, God has the sovereign right to tell us what is right and what is wrong. Cremation is one of the more controversial issues of our day. Like divorce, adultery, and sodomy, too few men of God are speaking and proclaiming the truth of God on the issue. Cremation is a modern controversy. Only 50 years ago it was a non-issue to most of our families or churches. In 1970 only about 7-8% of Americans were cremated. By 2010 that will be nearly 40% of us. In England the numbers are more startling in 1925 only one half of one percent were cremated as compared to 71.87% in

4 In recent weeks it has been thrust upon my attention. It is a subject that cannot be ignored. It is a subject that cannot be left to the opinions of the individual. Many preachers say, The Bible says nothing against it. Many big name preachers or evangelists either ignore the subject, or say it is only a matter of personal choice or opinion. Most believe it is a matter of no importance or concern to God. I have been told, Your opinion (that God and the Bible are against cremation) is the minority view. I reply, NO, my opinion was the only view of God s people for 6000 years. From the days of godly Abel, murdered by his brother, throughout the Old Testament and from the time of Jesus Christ until less than 100 years ago, ALMOST EVERY SAINT OF GOD BELIEVED AND PRACTICED BURIAL, believing that not to be buried was a shame and disgrace. I am often asked (3 times in one week), Where does the Bible say it is wrong? We who speak out against the godless practice of cremation are often demanded to prove our point. My view was the ONLY view for thousands of years. It is only in our modern, humanistic, evolution-filled world that cremation has found a foothold among people who profess to believe the Bible. It should not be I, or those who agree with my position, who should be required to prove our point from the Scriptures. It is the modern man who should be required to show his position from God s Word. MY PERSONAL CHALLENGE I challenge anyone to show me one single Bible text that endorses a follower of the true and living God (OT or NT ) who was cremated, by his own request and with God s approval. If you cannot do so, the debate should be over. I should not have to prove it wrong from God s Word. You should have to show me it is right according to God s holy Word. Nevertheless to help those who are weak in the faith, those who are new believers, or those confused by false teachers I will prove from the Bible that God does not sanction cremation. We will look at the subject under three headings. I. Some Facts About Cremation and a Brief History II. Scriptures Showing that God s People Have Always Buried III. Other Scriptural Principles That Directly Relate to the Subject 2

5 Section One Some Facts About Cremation and a Brief History A. Facts About What Cremation Is and How It Is Done. Pastor David Cloud has this to say, I am convinced that if Christians in America and Europe could stand with me beside the "holy" River Bagmati in Kathmandu, Nepal, and observe the burning of the body of a Hindu following the performance of the Hindu death rituals, they would cast aside in repulsion every thought of cremation being an acceptable Christian practice. Just five days ago I stood three or so feet from a burning corpse with a missionary pastor from Singapore and his wife who were visiting us. The head was already burnt beyond recognition and the skull split open due to internal expansion from the heat of the fire. The lower legs and feet were unscorched, as they were protruding from the pile of burning wood and stubble upon which the man's body lay. The professional Hindu burners were poking the body from time to time to keep the members in the fire and adding stubble and wood as needed. The bones were contracting and popping; the bodily organs were frying and the juices sizzling in the intense heat. My wife, a nurse with experience in a leprosy hospital and also in an intensive care ward, stood with another friend observing the ghastly sight from a distance, unwilling to come closer Would you treat your loved ones so? I understand that modern Western methods have evolved to very scientific methods, but the basic principle is the same. I quote now from Brother Royce Smith; The entire process is grotesque. As the fires engulf the body, it begins to jerk and twitch as if alive. Even though the crematory is heated to between 1500 and 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, some three to four hours are required to burn the body to a crisp. The bone fragments are then gathered and placed in a cremated remains processor (See Picture) to be ground into the consistency of a fine sand. It is like an overgrown blender. Is this what you want done with the temple of God? Is this what you want done with mom or grandma? B. A Brief History As we have already briefly seen it was not a Bible practice, but it s origins are from heathen nations and those who do not know the triune God -- Hindus, Greeks, Romans, Vikings etc. As we said, it is a relatively new 3

6 idea in Christian nations. Another quote again from Brother Royce Smith will help us understand why. During the 1960 s and 70 s many changes in our culture began to occur in a time of social instability fueled by the doctrines of secular humanism, the basic tenet of which is man is not accountable to any higher power or God. From this doctrine of human autonomy have come both the acceptance of abortion and the practice of cremation. The right to do both of these barbaric rituals is claimed on the basis of the false concept that one s body belongs to himself and he can do with it whatsoever he pleases That percentage will continue to increase as Americans reject Biblical Christianity and adopt the socalled New Age thinking which is nothing more than ancient and pagan Hinduism and Buddhism in new garb. Having spent many years, as a missionary working with Hindus, I know the accuracy of Brother Smiths words. I ASK you, Child of God, Why would you want to identify yourself with the humanist or the pagan who either denies or knows not the true and living God? Section Two Scriptures Showing That God s People Have Always Buried A. Old Testament Texts Sarah was buried by Abraham Gen. 23:1-4 Abraham was buried by Isaac & Ishmael Gen. 25:8-10 Rachel was buried by Jacob Gen. 35:19,20 Isaac was buried by Esau and Jacob Gen. 35:29 Jacob was buried by Joseph and brethren Gen. 50:7-13 Joseph was buried by Israel Gn. 50:24-26, -- Under difficult circumstances Ex. 13:19; Josh. 24:32 Joshua, Eleazar, Samuel, David, Solomon, all the kings of Israel, Elisha, etc were all buried. B. New Testament Texts John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus Christ, even Ananias and Sapphira, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, were all buried. There is no mention of any believer in either the Old or the New Testament who was not buried. I ASK you, my Friend, if you worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and if you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, why would you then not follow their example in burial? 4

7 Section Three Scriptural Principles That Directly Relate to the Subject A. Bible Principle of Separation Forbids Cremation We have clearly shown that it is of pagan or humanistic origin and is the choice of the secular humanist, and those who deny the Bible. The Bible commands God s people to be a separate and peculiar people. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, See also the same principle laid down in Eph. 5:6-11. This passage which ends with verse eleven, saying, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Exodus 23:2 says, Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; This Bible principle clearly applies to the subject of cremation. This will become even more clear as we go further in the Scriptures. B. Cremation of the Body Is a Biblical Symbol of God s Curse When God desires to show His displeasure on the vilest of sinners, He destroys them by fire or condemns their bodies to be burned. Allow me to give you some examples. 1. The wicked sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire from Heaven Genesis 19:24. 2 Peter 2:6 in reference to this says, And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 2. Nadab and Abihu according to Leviticus chapter ten, verse one...offered strange fire before the LORD. Verse two then says, And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3. Those involved in the rebellion of Korah described in Numbers 16 were also destroyed by fire. Verse 35 says, And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 4. God commanded Israel to destroy the idols of the heathen in the land of Canaan. The following texts will give to you God s original command and some subsequent obedience by a couple of the godly kings during times of revival. Deuteronomy 7:25; 2 Kings 10:26; 1 Chronicles 14:12 5

8 5. All unrepentant souls shall be cast body and soul into fires of hell. Even if one denies the resurrection or does not believe in the Bible or in Jesus Christ, he will be raised again from the dead by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ for final judgment. This scene is described in Revelation chapter 20. The chapter concludes in verse 15 with these words, And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. The point of all these texts is this. The destruction of wicked sinners by fire is a sign of divine wrath and displeasure. When the LORD God wants to show forth His great wrath, He uses the most severe means. I ASK, why would a child of God desire to have his body destroyed in the same way as God did the wicked, rebellious sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah? Consider also that God gave specific command to cremate the most grievous sinners. 1. A priest s daughter who played the whore was to be cremated. Leviticus 21:9 says, And the daughter of any priest, if she profane her self by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire. 2. If a man married (or had intimate relations with) a woman and her mother they were all three to be destroyed by fire. Leviticus 20:14 says, And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. 3. Achan and his family were stoned to death and then cremated (burned with fire) for their sin of taking of the accursed thing from the city of Jericho. Joshua 7:25 says, And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? The LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. Thus we see that cremation is ordained of God for the most grievous sinners. Again, I ASK, why would a child of God want to identify himself with God s great displeasure? Allow me to bring forth a few more Scriptures that show that the burning of the dead bodies of human beings is a sign of God s curse. God s prophet proclaimed God s curse upon the idol worshipping altar of king Jeroboam. He came as the wicked king was there worshipping and declared God s curse upon it and foretold of the day it would be defiled. God would defile it by the burning of 6

9 men s bones upon it. (1 Kings 13:1-2) We read of the fulfillment of this prophecy many years later in 2 Kings 23:15 and 16. There you will read that godly king Josiah took the bones of the very false priests who had worshipped there and burned them upon it,... and polluted it. Notice God polluted it by means of cremation. The king of Moab cremated the king of Edom, and was condemned by God for doing so. Please read Amos 2:1 carefully. Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime: Notice God s punishment would not be turned away BECAUSE he burned the bones of the king of Edom. If no other text of holy Scripture was to be found, this should be enough to convince any Bible believer that God does not approve of cremation. Let me briefly summarize the above Scriptures. It should be obvious, to any unbiased mind, that to burn a body is a sign of God s curse and displeasure. Thus when someone chooses cremation, he is taking upon him the outward sign of God s displeasure. WHY would anyone who professes faith in God want to do so? Or why would you desire such shame and reproach upon your loved ones? C. Other Bible Principles That Demand Burial and Forbid Cremation 1. Your body is not your own. As a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ neither your life, your soul, nor your body is your own. This is made very clear by 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 which say, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God s. Having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and are members of Christ. Verse fifteen of the same chapter states, Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Pastor Royce Smith has this comment on this verse, Realizing our bodies are the members of Christ makes a great difference now in the way we use those bodies. Should it not also make a difference in the way we dispose of those bodies after death? Have we any right to do otherwise with those bodies than what He has clearly prescribed in His Word? Scriptures clearly teach that our lives as well as our bodies are the Lord s, even after death. Romans 14:8 says, For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord s. In Romans 12:1 the Holy Spirit pleads with those 7

10 redeemed in Christ to... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Self ownership of our own bodies is a heathen concept. The Word of God clearly teaches that neither our life, our possessions, nor our bodies belong to us. They are God s. He alone should have say over what is done with them. If God chooses to destroy a person or his body by an explosion, a fire, or being eaten by wild animals, that is His prerogative as the Sovereign Creator and Redeemer. BUT we do not have that right. By having our bodies cremated, we are making a decision based upon the ungodly notion, it belongs to us and we can do as we please. 2. Belief in the Resurrection Demands Burial and Forbids Cremation The heathen do not have the Biblical hope and belief that their bodies will be raised up again at the coming of the Lord Jesus. Many do not believe in a Sovereign God Who will bring every soul into Judgment. In fact many believe the body to be evil, and the soul or spirit of man to be inherently good. This is why the body must be destroyed. We know that THEY TOO will be resurrected and judged by the Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of their unbelief. The point is that they do not believe in Him or the truth of the resurrection, and thus do not bury. The Bible teaches us that the body is like a seed planted in the ground in hope and faith. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15 the apostle Paul, by the Holy Spirit is discussing both the resurrection of Jesus and of us. In verse 35 he anticipates an objection from those who do not believe in the resurrection. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Because we know that the body placed in the ground will decay, says the unbeliever, how can it be raised up? He answers in the next verses by saying it is like planting a seed. The same seed you plant does not come up, but one just like it, only in a greater way. In the case of a seed it will be multiplied says, Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. He further describes the glories of the resurrection in verses 42-44; So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. A seed is placed in the ground in hope and in expectation. Who would ever consider burning a seed? So the body is planted in the hope and expectation of being raised in incorruption and eternal glory by Jesus Christ. Why would any- 8

11 one who professes to believe in the resurrection of the body be cremated or have a loved one cremated? For their action denies that belief. I quote again from Royce Smith. The very burying of the body is a testimony of one s explicit faith in the resurrection. Conversely, the cremation of the body is the denial of one s belief in resurrection however adamantly he may profess that faith. I understand that Christians in INDIA reject cremation to distinguish them from the heathen, unbelievers. Once more I ASK, why would a child of God want to deny his faith by being cremated? CONCLUSION 1. Cremation has pagan and humanistic origins 2. OT saints were all buried 3. NT saints were all buried 4. The Lord Jesus Christ was buried 5. Almost all of God s people have been buried for 6000 years 6. Cremation of wicked sinners was a sign of God s curse and great displeasure. 7. God specifically condemned the king of Moab for his cremation of the king of Edom. 8. Burial is a declaration of the child of God s belief in the Resurrection. 9. Our bodies are not our own, even in death. They are the Lords, by Creation and Redemption. Let us forever cast from our minds the idea that the Bible is silent on the subject. Let us also be clear that it is not just a matter of opinion or choice. I will be so bold as to say that the Word of God declares it a sin and perhaps willful disobedience for a child of God to follow the example of the ungodly and desire to be cremated. It is just as much a sin as is adultery, murder, or drunkenness. Let me also say that if you are a Church member and persist in your own opinion, you place the Church of Christ and your Pastor in a difficult position. How can your pastor give testimony of your faith in Christ when it is denied by your actions? You, the Church, and your pastor lose a great opportunity to declare the Truth of God and glorify His holy name. Furthermore, the Church further loses its distinction from the world of the ungodly. This is a great evil in our day for which many will be sad to give account to God. Countless lost souls look at God s people and see little or no difference and thus justify themselves in their sin. They will stand before God without excuse. (See Rom. 1:20) The compromising Christians will also give an account for the things they have done, whether good or bad. Child of God, let me urge you to humble yourself and do that which is right in 9

12 the sight of God. When the time comes for you to go home, give a testimony of your faith in Christ, and be buried in the hope of the resurrection. A quick word to those who may be under conviction because you are already responsible for the cremation of someone in the past. Our God is a merciful God, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. When we humbly confess our sin, the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin. It is my hope and prayer that this brief Bible study will be used of God to help many toward God s truth concerning the subject of cremation and the Bible. But an even more important issue may have troubled you as you read this. That is the issue of death. Perhaps you still have a fear of dying. For it matters little what happens to your body if your soul is doomed to an eternity in hell. Are you ready to die at this moment and stand before God your Maker? The Bible says, And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: It also tells us,... and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: That is right, my Friend, not one of us will be accepted into God s presence if even one sin is laid to our account. One sin will keep you from eternal joy and condemn you to eternal judgment in Hell. If you do not have the peace of God in your soul I urge you not to be satisfied for one moment until you do. Seek out help from the Church who gave you this booklet. Read the Bible, pray, and seek it from God with all your heart. By the grace of God in Christ Jesus, I can testify that if I die at any moment, I know that I will go immediately to be with God. I know this not because I have never sinned, but because I know that all of my sins were laid on Jesus Christ. He died in my place. He suffered the wrath and curse of God that was due to me for my sins. He rose again from the grave and now intercedes on my behalf to give to me an eternal salvation. He is my Lord and Savior, as I trust wholly upon Him, by His grace. I know these things by His grace through His Word. I leave you with three Bible verses. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Isa. 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 10

13 APPENDIX I What about the cost? One of the main reasons for many who choose cremation is the cost factor. When compared to the average price of the normal funeral, it is far less expensive. I will give four points in answering this objection to burial. 1. I DO NOT CARE how much cheaper it is! If it is wrong, it is wrong. Make up your mind to do what is right and God will both honor and bless you for it. 2. The normal funeral of our day is not normal or needed. Think back to the days of your parents or grandparents. Did they embalm every person who died? Did they all use a funeral home? Did they have all sorts of extra frills and expenses, that today are considered a must? Did they have a coffin worth thousands of dollars? No, they did not, for these are modern trappings promoted by funeral salesmen. 3. There are many ways to cut unnecessary expenses. Build your own casket, or have a neighbor or family member do it for a fraction of the cost. If you do buy, ask to see the least expensive option. Use a home or the Church rather than a funeral home. Embalming is usually not required by law. If a delay must take place, a body can be frozen for much less. 4. While doing research for this study, I came across some good information that may be of help. I am sure that if you take the time to ask questions or search the internet you will find much more helpful information and ways to save. But I suggest you start with the following. A. Funeral Consumers Alliance. 33 Patchen Road, South Burlington, VT < They have such useful brochures as; Common Funeral Myths, 10 Tips for Saving Funeral Dollars, and Earth Burial. B. Grinnell Coffin Works. Byron Worley th Ave. Grinnell, IA [ At the time of writing a Plywood coffin - $150 ] C. Schieur Woodworks. 211 Main ST., Pierson, IA D. Casket Kits George Kinakin & Associates. Site 23 Comp. 24 RR #2 Nelson, BC V1L5PS, Canada

14 APPENDIX II BARBARIANISM By J. W. Frazer A mother was kind and gentle and true, Had three little angels; oh, how they grew; With dimples and curls, and contagious smiles; Were fat and chubby; at play they ran miles. They were healthy and happy and winsome, too; Were the loveliest darlings this mother knew, This charmed mother was a willing slave. Here three from disease she fought to save. She toiled all day and nursed all night, And put up for them a terrific fight Through the help of God and by her care, He raised them up in answer to prayer. With mother s help they grew mature; Men and maiden were taught to be pure. The three all married and moved away, With the promise to return some better day. Mother became lonely and rather poor. She rented a room on a Rue Lefleur. Her form was stooped, her face was drawn, Her hair was grey and her children gone, She fainted one day while on the street, And could stand no more upon her feet. That saintly mother, with a love so true, Was left alone to battle through. She was weak and sick with none to care, Not even a friend to say a prayer. But God s angels came and took her home, That forsaken woman, so sad and lone. This mother, who was once a willing slave, Was denied the favor of an earthly grave. The one-time dimpled and angelic three Were now cold and cruel, as you will see; For they ordered her body reduced to ashes- The cheapest disposal, the burial of asses. A pagan ordeal, so godless and cruel; Don t treat your mother as you would a mule! 12

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16 For more help or information please contact: Printed by : Harmony Baptist Church 3014 W. Delmar Ave. Godfrey, IL Ralph Blake, Pastor (618)