“It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment” (Lk 23.54-56). Luke loved the underdog, especially if the underdog was a woman. Between Luke-Acts, he used γυνή 60 times […]
Along with parts 1 and 2, I offer five reasons why I’d rather be buried than cremated unless otherwise providentially hindered. While not imposing my convictions on anyone else, I do hope my wife will remember them at them at the funeral home! 4. Jesus was buried and I want be like Jesus. This isn’t the same thing as saying Jesus wore sandals so I wear sandals, or Jesus grew […]
Read Part 1 to catch up but here are two more reasons why I intend to be buried rather than cremated unless providentially hindered. Cremation is no cardinal sin but we should allow Scripture to define how we live and die. 2. In Scripture, the burning of the body was an expression of disgrace toward the person who died. Though not without possible exception (see 1 Sam 31.12), the burning […]
As a pastor I was often asked about cremation. It’s a good question. We believe all Scripture is breathed out by God to adequately equip us for every good work (2 Tim 3.16-17). How we care for the body at death falls within the realm of “every good work.” Therefore, Scripture adequately equips us to answer this question. What should Christians think about cremation? Should we think about it? […]