Crematoriums and the Bible Critical Evaluation of

Crematoriums and the Bible Critical Evaluation of Crematorium Crematoriums and the Bible: A Critical Evaluation Christians adhere to the belief that we are all "destined to return to the dust from whence we came" (Genesis 3:19 New Revised Standard Version). However, the question of whether or not the process of cremation is considered in adherence with Christianity is often debated. In his article, "Cremation and the Bible," Dr. Ernest L.

Martin notes that this debate stems from the fact that in the Bible the "normal way" people allowed the body to return to dust was by "burial in the ground" (Martin 2008). In ancient times, the Christian church rejected cremation, largely because of its association with the "Pagan societies of Greece and Rome" (Martin 2008).

The process of cremation contains several difference steps, many of which can be associated with a specific biblical verse or passage in which one can look at the entire process and its association with Christian beliefs in a critical manner. The National Funeral Directors Association defines the cremation process as follows: "The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber, where the temperature is raised to approximately 1400 degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation.

The remaining bone fragments are known as cremated remains. The cremated remains are then carefully removed from the cremation chamber.." (NFDA 2010). There are several mentions of the disposal of a body by fire (cremation) in the bible. However, the burning of bodies and objects in ancient Israel were mostly reserved for idols, criminals or enemies. This can be seen in Leviticus 21:9 which mentions the burning of a prostitute and Joshua 7:15-25 which notes the bodies of thieves being orderd burned by God.

However, today, Christianity does not oppose cremation, and it has been noted that the Bible itself does not forbid cremation. Reverent Billy Graham notes that Christians may assume cremation is forbidden as it alters the body from a whole which Christians believe will be raised from the dead upon the second coming of Christ. He counters this statement with Mark 13:27, which reads, "And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens" (Graham 2005).

The aforementioned passage is utilized by Graham to show the power of God in all things, including the resurrection of a cremated body. Today's theologians draw focus to the fact that Christians should not dwell on how to dispose of their earthly body, but focus on the belief that one day they will have a new heavenly body in resurrection. In viewing those in favor of cremation vs.

those in opposition, it is difficult to single out which side holds the upper hand in terms of how God views the process, in that one can never truly know how God views the process. However, in looking at the history of the issue, it can be seen that the Bible verses written in opposition may have been only to set Christian practices apart from those deemed to be "Pagan" across much of Europe and the Middle East so long ago.

In assessing the cremation process as a whole in terms of biblical passages, it seems as though the aforementioned passage from Mark rings most true. If God is indeed all powerful, there is no reason that the cremation of the body should hinder any individual from being resurrected into heaven by God. The process of cremation does not desecrate the body as once believed, but remains a personal choice which is now chosen by Christians the world over.

In trying to understand cremation in terms of how God would view it, Christians must try to understand that the actions of the all-powerful God they believe in so whole-heartedly cannot be stopped or altered by the actions of.