Just outside Fredericksburg (Va.) United Methodist Church, an arc-shaped wall hugs the church's quiet meditation garden and outdoor fountain. A closer look at the wall reveals 360 niches and the names of deceased members of the congregation.
The columbarium, which holds urns containing ashes of the dead, was installed two years ago and is part of a growing trend of churches that are reverting back to the old church graveyard tradition in a modern way.
"Rather than buying plots in a cemetery in which they have no connection, to be buried at their church where they've worshipped and celebrated their life is meaningful to many people," said the church's senior pastor, Larry Lenow....
Amos 2:1 is the most frequently quoted Bible verse against cremation that I'm aware of.
Interesting to note that Christ was buried following his crucifixion when most others suffering such a fate were cast into Gehenna (the burning trash dump) after such a cursed demise as the one He suffered.
Cremation is becoming an increasingly economical way of dealing with those who've passed on.
My mom was cremated because it was cheaper/more convenient than having her body shipped to Illinois, where her previously perchased grave plot was located.
What you say is quite true. Although as far as I know (I could be quite wrong about this),there is nothing in the Bible to say how a christian's body is to be buried or what is to be done with it, I have heard that historically the church has treated the remains of christians with great respect and dignity and given them a proper burial. This may also be partly to show respect to the loved ones who remain. It may also be more charitable for the family and loved ones who are left behind.
However, I would suppose there is no set rule as to what is to be done. This issue is becoming more of a financial concern with the high cost of cemetery plots today, particularly in cities. I understand they can cost many thousands of dollars. Maybe money will become more the deciding factor. The spouse must still have money to live. Maybe someone else has more light to shed on this.
"Sadly, most Christians have joined non-observant Jews in burning what Christians claim to believe was the temple of the Holy Spirit of God and the body which is to await the final resurrection in order to bow to economical concerns."
The key phrase is "was the temple.." The dead body is no longer the temple of the Holy Spirit. God won't have a problem raising up a body for those whose body no longer exists. There are multitudes whose bodies have disintegrated to dust, been eaten by beasts, become fish food, vanished in wars, etc. I don't believe their improper burial will be held against them.
That is, if you WCF'ers buck up & conform to the Confession & the Directories as written. And run those church courts properly. Set a good example for us.
"WHEN any person departeth this life, let the dead body, upon the day of burial, be decently attended..."
Whoa! Have Presbys *ever* complied with this? I have seen more than a few, including old ones, with graveyards around them. Papists have long made a big deal about being buried in "consecrated ground," & it seems that Protestants have imitated them, at least outwardly. But what good is church dirt?
Presbys would impress me a lot more if they at least conformed to their professed stds.; otherwise, they are no better than the Baptists they often sneer at. To the extent that churches disregard Scripture, they become like Rome.
"The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author of My Life With the Saints, said worship around the tombs of saints is an ancient tradition. Early Christians worshipped in the catacombs— secret underground burial caves — and some of the first churches were erected over the tombs of martyrs"
They worshipped in the catacombs to get away from the Romans who were persecuting them. Not because they enjoyed being surrounded by a pile of corpses.
Memorials for the dead is an inherited popish heresy just as a "service" by a pastor at a funeral is. ==xxxxxxxxxx== From Directory for the public worship of God. (Westminster Divines)
"WHEN any person departeth this life, let the dead body, upon the day of burial, be decently attended from the house to the place appointed for publick burial, and there immediately interred, without any ceremony.
And because the custom of kneeling down, and praying by or towards the dead corpse, and other such usages, in the place where it lies before it be carried to burial, are superstitious; and for that praying, reading, and singing, both in going to and at the grave, have been grossly abused, are no way beneficial to the dead, and have proved many ways hurtful to the living; therefore let all such things be laid aside."
Of the three religions that CLAIM to worship the God of the Bible (note I said "CLAIM". Don't bombard me with anti-Islamic rhetoric) namely Christianity (in all it's forms, including Romanism) Judaism (even though the God of the Bible is a triune God who the Jews do NOT know) and Islam (already commented on that) there has traditionally been a prohibition against cremation. In the Old Teastament burning was reserved for the perpetrators of evil deeds as a sign of the curse of God's wrath upon them. Quick burial was and remains the proper return to the earth practiced by Orthodox Jews and devout Muslims and really, really Fundamentalist Christians. It used to be so with Papists as well. Sadly, most Christians have joined non-observant Jews in burning what Christians claim to believe was the temple of the Holy Spirit of God and the body which is to await the final resurrection in order to bow to economical concerns. Goes in line I guess with modern translations of Scripture, women worshipping with an uncovered head, church members belonging to the Freemasons, Deacons and Elders who are divorced and remarried, and all other straying from the tenets of Biblical Christianity.
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Craig Musselman | 7/6/2009
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christopher000 from rhode island: "mike wrote:
'let me guess, she would also deny..."
