The Death of Children in Ancient Israel

Not the happiest of topics but Kristine Garroway has a good discussion of the topic here.

Cremation or Burial

Justin Dillehay has some helpful thoughts here on the issue of cremation or burial. It seems to me that Christians are choosing cremation more often now than in the past.

Hershel Shanks (1930–2021)

Word began getting out yesterday that Hershel Shanks had passed away. A brief obituary can be read here. I did not know Hershel personally, but he helped feed my interest in biblical archaeology primarily through the magazine he founded and edited, the Biblical Archaeology Review. I started reading back in the 90s and have a hard copy of every issue except one.

What Will People Say at Your Funeral?

Gary Ledbetter has some thoughts here.

John Piper on Cremation

John Piper has a good word and modest proposal on the cremation versus burial debate here.

New Testament Scholars Who Died in 2015

 Brian Small on Facebook's Biblical Studies Discussion List provides the following accounting of New Testament scholars who passed away in 2015. It is a humbling reminder of the transitory nature of this life and the importance of believing in and proclaiming the gospel.
 
Marcus Borg - January 21
Luise Schottroff - February 8
Charles E. B. Cranfield - March 4
Fred Craddock - March 6
Harold Greenlee - March 21
Roger Omanson - April 30
J. Louis Martyn - June 4
Verlyn Verbrugge - June 21
Eduard Lohse - June 24
Ferdinand Hahn - July 28
Dietmar Neufeld - September 9
John Howard Schütz - September 27
I. Howard Marshall - December 12
Robert Mulholland - December 20

Christians and Cremation

Michael Svigel has a balanced discussion on Christians and cremation here.

Donald J. Wiseman (1918-2010)

Donald J. Wiseman passed away on February 2. Some readers may know Wiseman through his work in the Old Testament and ancient Near East. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary and is survived by three daughters Gillian, Mary and Jane.

To Bury or Cremate

Read this interesting post on the debate concerning burial or cremation. R. Scott Clark argues,"burial is not just a cultural custom. It’s an act of faith. When there is a choice between burial and cremation, the latter isn’t just a convenience or an economy, it’s a message about the body and the nature of our humanity and our status as image-bearers."

Martin Hengel (1926-2009)

Martin Hengel, the New Testament scholar has died. Hengel's published works include a classic work on crucifixion in the ancient world. For an obituary see here.

Kenneth Gangel (1935-2009)

This is a bit late, but I just learned that Kenneth O. Gangel went to be with the Lord last Thursday, June 18 at the age of 74. Dr. Gangel was a prolific writer and although I did not know him personally, I have benefited from his writings particularly in the area of Christian education and leadership. You can see a more extensive write up of Dr. Gangel here.

Eta Linnemann

It is being reported that Eta Linnemann has died at the age of eighty-two. Here is an obituary for those that can read German. Linnemann was perhaps best known for her repudiation of her earlier career as a critical scholar. You can read her testimony here. I remember meeting Linnemann at a conference in 2001 and her willingness to take the time to talk with me (a master's student) about why she believed that Paul wrote Hebrews.

The Destiny of Those Who Die in Infancy?

Myron Houghton has an interesting post asking and answering the question concerning the destiny of those who die in infancy. In sum, Houghton notes:

The Major Views:

• Infants who die in infancy unbaptized do not go to heaven
• Infants who die in infancy unbaptized may or may not go to heaven
• Infants who die in infancy are damned
• Infants who die in infancy are saved and with Christ in heaven

The Major Reasons for Believing that Infants Who Die in Infancy Go to Heaven:

• The Death and Resurrection of Christ
• The Nature and Place of Saving Faith
• God’s Special Interest in Infants & Young Children
• David’s Statement Upon the Death of His Week-Old Child
• The Nature of the Great White Throne Judgment
• Hell, the Punishment for Refusal to Believe
• Divine Election
• One Purpose for Hell

Read the entire post here.

Derek Kidner (1913-2008)

Justin Taylor is reporting that Derek Kidner has gone on to be with the Lord. Kidner was one of my favorite biblical scholars.

Life and Death in the Bible: Book Review

There is an interesting review of Kevin J Madigan and Jon D Levenson's Life and Death in the Bible: The Power of God for Christians and Jews in the Asia Times Online. You can read it here.