Saturday, July 17, 2010

Not just about disposing of dead bodies

Justin Taylor provides some excerpts from what seems a judicious and thorough consideration of how Christains should think about cremation. The article from which he quotes is “To Bury or Burn? Toward an Ethic of Cremation” [pdf] by David W. Jones, a professor of Christian ethics. Jones' conclusions:
After reviewing some of the key historical, Biblical, and theological considerations that have been a part of the moral discussion of cremation within the Judeo-Christian tradition, ultimately the practice must be viewed as an adiaphora issue [i.e., something biblically indifferent]. This being said, however, it seems legitimate to draw the following three conclusions. First, church history witnesses considerable opposition toward cremation with the normative practice of the church being burial. Second, while Scripture is silent on the specifics of how to treat the deceased, both the example of Biblical characters and the general trajectory of related passages seem to be in a pro-burial direction. Third, the body is theologically significant; thus, both the act of and the imagery conveyed by the treatment of the deceased ought to be weighed carefully.

Certainly not all deaths will afford loved ones an opportunity to choose the method of interment. Indeed, factors such as the location and manner of death, nation-specific legal parameters, as well as the resources of the surviving family will bear upon funerary practices and decisions. Yet, if given a choice, those left behind ought to consider carefully what is being communicated in their handling of the body of a decedent. After all, within the Christian tradition, funerals are not simply ways of disposing of dead bodies, nor are they solely about remembering the departed or expressing grief. Rather, for believers, funerals ought to be Christ-centered events, testifying to the message and hope of the gospel.
I particularly appreciated this reminder: "[F]unerals are not simply ways of disposing of dead bodies, nor are they solely about remembering the departed or expressing grief. Rather, for believers, funerals ought to be Christ-centered events, testifying to the message and hope of the gospel."

To Bury or Burn: Christianity and Cremation – Justin Taylor

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:20 AM

    Thanks for the information and link about this informative article. Due to a death in the family this week I have been struggling with the issue of cremation. Providentially, I found your post. This article is academic, yet readable and obviously comes from someone with a pastor's heart and a careful and clear mind. I have never heard of Jones before but I am thankful for his work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am sorry for your loss and for the grief you must be feeling. I am glad the article was helpful.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated. I will gladly approve any comment that responds directly and politely to what has been posted.