with Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland and Dr. Charles L. Felnberg
Q. San Carlos, Calif ---- “Where did the custom of cremation come from? Do you think that the Bible teaches that it is vjrong?" A. Cremation was used by all an cients except Egyptians and Jews. We do find it indicated in the Bible as a means, in time of physical emer gency, to dispose of diseased bodies in such a manner. This has had to be done in times of war or epidemic plagues. While the Bibles makes no pronouncements against such a prac tice, yet it does place a high pre mium and priority upon the physical body, created in the image of God, and, for the believer, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. From the counsel of Scripture burial would seem the proper procedure to follow. The Jews buried their dead. Q. Sun Valley, Calif. — “What happens to a person now who dies and does not believe in Christ? Is he torment ed 'before the time of judgment? I believe I heard you say that hell is not now occupied. I f this is true, then where does the soul of an unbeliever go and is it in torment right at this time?” A. It is true that hell is not now occupied. Keep in mind that the word translated hell in the Author ized Version can mean sheol, as we see from the Old Testament. In the New Testament the words hades and
gehenna áre used (sometimes tár taras). Gehenna or hell is the place prepared by God for the devil and his angels. Hades is the abode of the dead, and originally contained two sections, one for the righteous and the other for the wicked. Note the excellent reference by Dr. C. I. Sco field on Luke 16:23. The abode of the righteous dead in hades was re ferred to as Abraham’s bosom or Paradise. It was emptied at the time our Lord ascended (Eph. 4 :8-10) and taken to heaven; now in Paradise. In John 5:28-29 we read that the time is coming when all of the dead shall be raised . Unbelievers will stand before the great white throne judgment and consigned to hell for all eternity. For the believer, “ab sent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord.” Q. Kansas City, Mo. — “Since we are not to judge others here on earth, how can we Christians serve on juries ?” A, There are two entirely separate concepts here. Note Matthew 7:1-3 which really is speaking about a per sonal judgment. This has nothing to do with how we as Christians have the right and privilege to serve on a jury. That is what we might term judicial judgment. I Corinthians 5 shows that judging by Christians is sometimes most essential. This is a matter of church discipline. People
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