<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter P. Snyder Q: With the death penalties given by juries and executions carried out, where in the Bible is a Scripture that supports one person judging another and putting a person to death? A: The Bible is filled with such passages. One could not be sentenced to death according to God's Law for Israel without the testimony of at least two witnesses (see Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15). This may not have been exactly like our modern jury trials, but there was protection from unjust prosecution for the accused. In the pages of Scripture, we find that the death penalty was inflicted for murder, Gen. 9:5-6; Num. 35:16-21, 30-33; Deut. 17:6; adultery, Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:24; incest, Lev. 20:11-12, 14; bestiality, Ex. 22:19; Lev. 20:15-16; sodomy, Lev. 18:22; 20:13; incontinence, Deut. 22:21-24; rape of a betrothed virgin, Deut. 22:25; perjury, Zech. 5:4; kidnapping, Ex. 21:16; Deut. 24:7; upon a priest's daughter, who committed fornication, Lev. 21:9; for witchcraft, Ex. 22:18; offering human sacrifice, Lev. 20:2-5; for striking or cursing father or mother, Ex. 21:15, 17; Lev. 20:9; disobedience to parents, Deut. 21:18-21; theft, Zech. 5:3-4; blasphemy, Lev. 24:11-14, 16, 23; for Sabbath desecration, Ex. 35:2; Num. 15:32-36; for prophesying falsely, or propagating false doctrines, Deut. 13:1-10; sacrificing to false gods, Ex. 22:20; refusing to abide by the decision of court, Deut. 17:12; for treason, 1 K. 2:25; Esth. 2:23; sedition, Acts 5:36-37. To make sure that people did not think that such ordinances were only for the Old Covenant, Martin Luther included the rule of law in the "Table of Duties" in his Small Catechism. Under the heading "Concerning Civil Government," he quotes the Apostle Paul: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which exists anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resists the power resists the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For he bears not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil. Rom. (13:1-2, 4)" When Paul wrote "the sword," he was not figuratively speaking of a badge of office, but of the capital power vested in government. Remember that "the sword" in Paul's time was wielded by Rome. Thus, even a pagan nation, governed by a godless monarch, has a rule "ordained of God." In a republic or other free form of government, when common people are part of the judicial process, they are not only "subject to the higher powers," but also are numbered among these powers when called upon to serve as jurors. Sometimes this may mean that ordinary citizens recommend that the sword must fall. Q: What does the Bible say about cremation? A: In Old Testament times, only a criminal or crass sinner normally would have had his remains cremated (Joshua 7:25; Leviticus 20:14; 21:9). Amos 2:1 indicates that Moab's cremation of Edom's king was the result of disrespect for the dead. However, not doing anything (leaving the body hanging or on the ground to rot) showed the greatest disrespect and was reserved for the crassest sinners and most vile felons. There are no specific commands binding for all people in all places or times. During the past few centuries, some atheists encouraged cremation to rebut the Bible's teaching of the resurrection of all flesh. This idea has faded in recent years. At the same time, Christians have been reconsidering the option of cremation because of rising burial costs and the scarcity of cemetery plots in many urban areas. The reason why one accepts or rejects a course of action is often more important than the action itself. Christians are not commanded nor are they forbidden any particular funerary practices. Conscience, judgment, community standards, offense to others, and the witness our actions give must all be considered. I have conducted funerals involving both coffins and urns. I have seen remains placed in the ground, in underground and aboveground vaults, and on a bookshelf in a person's home. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1999 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.