Hello all, and welcome back to my personal study of Saint Augustine’s “City of God”! Today, in part 6, we’ll be covering parts 12 and 13, covering two very interesting points whose direction I don’t know. So let’s dive in!
Part 12: The lack of a burial does not matter to a Christian
“But many could not be buried, in all that welter of carnage.”
Augustine is quick to point out that unlike many pagan practices, the Christian does not need to concern himself with his burial rites. He quotes Christ himself, saying “Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.”
After all, what man can hinder your spiritual life after you are gone? No one can turn a dead man from his beliefs. And if there was something that a man could do to you after death, Jesus Himself would have told us to carefully practice the necessary rites.
He points out also that no dead man suffers from the cruelty of the living. His senses have died with him, and no cruel maiming or destruction of the body can ever harm him, despite the disgusting nature of the acts.
He goes on to say that funerals are a consolation to the living, rather than helping the dead. He points out that the funeral of the heavens is to be taken up by angels, and not for his soul to be placed in a tomb.
He points out that though many would ridicule him for this point, the Roman and Greek philosophers themselves often showed “contempt for anxiety about burial”.
Lastly, he points out that a Christian has the promise of a renewed body, even from all of the hidden places of the world. There is nowhere he could run to die, where he could not be resurrected at Christ’s return.
13. The Reason for burying the bodies of the saints
Augustine continues, explaining why, in spite of the lack of need for a burial, we do continue to bury our dead when it can be done.
Much like the clothing that the body wears, the heirlooms we pass down, the little tokens of the deceased loved ones, our soul wears our body, for the duration of our life. There is an aspect of respect, loyalty, and devotion to laying one’s family to rest.
He points out several times in scripture where, though it was not commanded, burial rites were commended as good works, including Jesus’ own burial.
Thoughts
While it is not necessary for a Christian to be buried, or prepared for burial in any particular way, Augustine points out that God does value the act of burial, and thus, so should we. To care for the dead is beneficial to the family, it is a display of respect and love, and is commended by God.
In my line of work, I have often been privileged to care for deceased patients. There is something nourishing to the soul about care for the dead. It reminds you of the value of each individual person you interact with, the sadness of that persons loss, and the hope we have for the future through Christ. It also emphasizes the importance of sharing that hope with as many people as possible.
In closing, have a blessed day, and be kind and Christlike to those around you.
modernsurvivalarkansas.com 