What does the Bible say about being cremated?

Sincerely,
Getting Prepared

Dear Getting Prepared,

Both cremation and burial are acceptable Biblical practices. The Bible makes it clear that your body is merely a tent that is discarded at death (2 Cor 5:1-4). Peter recognized that at death we leave this ‘tent’ of a body behind (2 Pet 1:14). Ultimately, your physical body will return to dust and dirt (Gen 3:19). It may sound morbid, but cremation simply speeds along the natural process of decay that will occur to all bodies eventually.

Furthermore, we have at least one account of cremation occurring in the Old Testament. Saul and his sons were cremated after they died in battle (1 Sam 31:12). The men that cremated Saul and his sons were later commended by David for their behavior (2 Sam 2:5). That same verse in 2 Samuel shows that David considered cremation a form of burial. David’s endorsement of cremation as a godly practice is worth noting.

The Bible does not seem to place much focus on how someone is buried. God’s emphasis is upon how we live (Gal 2:20), not what is done with our body after we die.

I would like to know where all of God’s beautiful, four-legged creatures go when they die.  My grandson asked me this question right after his dog died.  Of course, I told him his dog went to heaven to be with God and is waiting for him... but the truth of the matter is, I don't really know where his dog went to!  I was always told that dogs and cats don't have souls, so if that's true... where would they go?

Sincerely,
Grammy Grief Counselor

Dear Grammy Grief Counselor,

Animals are a blessing from God, and your grandson’s fondness for his dog is shared by animal lovers the world ‘round.  Animals have the “breath of life” just like humans do (Gen 2:7, Gen 6:17).  This “breath of life” is also sometimes referred to as the “spirit” of a man or animal (Gen 7:22).  Animals have spirits, and humans have spirits, but humans were also made in the image of God (Gen 1:26).  Our spirits are eternal and will go up to be with the Father, and animal spirits are temporary and will return to the dust of the earth (Eccl 3:21).  God made our spirit of a different caliber than He made those of the animal.  Dogs don’t go to heaven, but we can feel confident that God has decided wisely on this issue like all others.  We may not always understand His reasons, but He always makes good decisions.

What does the Bible say about going out to a nightclub?

Sincerely,
Likes A Crowd

Dear Likes A Crowd,

The Scripture never specifically condemns going to a nightclub, but there are a plethora of reasons for a christian to avoid nightclubs.  Alcohol flows freely in nightclubs (drinking parties are wrong – 1 Pet 4:3).  Nightclubs are designed to bring men and women together and encourage inappropriate behavior.  The music is often vulgar and crass, and immodesty abounds.  Nightclubs are meant to promote ungodly behavior.  Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33).  Hanging out in a nightclub night after night is definitely bad company.

Hi, I like to workout and build muscle, but I also know that God should be first in our lives.  I sometimes feel that I'm wrong in working out to gain muscle and size, but I don't let it get in the way of going to church and praying and everything else that God wants us to do.  I always put Him first.  Well, my question is: is it wrong to spend money and time on this if it's not right in God’s eyes, and also, the other part to this is that I eat many small meals a day to keep my metabolism up, and I eat healthy, but I'm not sure if that's right to do either.  I'm not sure if that is gluttony or not.  My main thing is I like to look good because I feel better, and I enjoy working out.  I don't do it because it's cool, or I'll look hot.  I guess you can say it's my hobby; I just enjoy it.

Sincerely,
Ripped

Dear Ripped,

There is nothing wrong with working out and exercising as long as you keep it in proper perspective – which it sounds like you are doing.  The apostle Paul even mentions that there is a benefit to physical exercise.  In 1 Tim 4:8, Paul makes it clear that bodily exercise does have its benefits but that those benefits pale in comparison to spiritual things.  There is nothing wrong with working out as a hobby and as part of a healthy lifestyle.

As far as your eating habits, they aren’t gluttonous.  Gluttony is the act of excessive eating.  You are doing the opposite!  You are controlling your portions for the purpose of controlled living.  It sounds like you are making good choices and keeping your priorities in order.

What do I do if I need to play a sport to go to college, but my sport interferes with church?

Sincerely,
Athletically Inclined

Dear Athletically Inclined,

Not attending services for four years while you are at a university isn’t an option; that definitely would fall under the category of forsaking the assembly (Heb 10:24-25).  However, there are other options at your disposal.  Some things to consider:

1. You don’t need to play a sport to go to college.  Many faithful christians have paid their way through college without any problems.  If you can get a scholarship, wonderful… but don’t paint yourself into a corner by thinking that a sports scholarship is your only option for a college education.
2. Many other christians have faced this same predicament and have found ways to make arrangements.  We even know of one former professional baseball player that made arrangements to never pitch on Sundays.  It isn’t necessarily an all-or-nothing arrangement.  Take it one day at a time (Matt 6:34), and don’t be afraid to stand your ground and negotiate – you never know what options might present themselves.
3. This is an issue of wisdom, and anytime that you need to make wise decisions, it is a good idea to surround yourself with wise people.  There is safety in the multitude of counselors (Pr 11:14).  Make sure that before you make any big decisions, you ask advice from good, moral, and wise people.

At the end of the day, you have options.  We wish you the very best as you try and prioritize spiritual things in a physical world.