Reincarnation

[Anti Existance]

The topic of reincarnation has been established as being an antithisis of Christian beliefs. Endorcement of it is against the rules.

Its good that its allowed to be discussed in debate tho, because honestly i absolutely do not know why people oppose against the idea, if Jesus lets people resurrect people from the dead, then why is the idea that reincarnation takes place so controversial?

 

[spblat]

Might it be because the Bible says nothing about reincarnation for us normal folk? If you're a Christian, you get your dogma from the Bible. If you believe in some kind of reincarnation for yourself, you're taking dogma from somewhere other than the Bible. I gather this sort of out-of-the-box thinking is frowned upon.

 

[traversinginfinity]

Might it be because the Bible says nothing about reincarnation for us normal folk? If you're a Christian, you get your dogma from the Bible. If you believe in some kind of reincarnation for yourself, you're taking dogma from somewhere other than the Bible. I gather this sort of out-of-the-box thinking is frowned upon.

I don't know about that. You can make the Bible say just about anything you want.

For example, doesn't Jesus say that John the Baptist is Elijah? Since Elijah died years before John the Baptist was born, can't this be interpreted as "John the Baptist is the reincarnation of Elijah"?

 

[GrannieAnnie]

Heck....who in their right mind would want to be reborn to this earth anyway......I'm sure I wouldn't want to come back again....no matter what sort of creature you came back as. My pet rats have a pretty good life with us, but nahhhhh, I don't want to come back....

 

[Boomygrrl]

I love life. I would like to come back. (in response to prior post)

I think reincarnation is seen as being from those mystical religions that are deemed to be wrong or "Satanic." Since this forum defines Christians in a certain way, they will of course see reincarnation as bad ideology. There will be more liberal minded Christians in this forum who may or may not believe in reincarnation but certainly won't see it as an "evil" belief.

It is a good thing, though, like you said, that you can still talk about it and we can debate it.

I think the idea of reincarnation sounds great. I also think the idea of me being a billionaire would be great. There's a lot of great ideas, but that doesn't mean they are true or that they will happen.
Any reason, beyond wishful thinking, that you believe in reincarnation?


Boomygrrl

 

[Catherineanne]

The topic of reincarnation has been established as being an antithisis of Christian beliefs. Endorcement of it is against the rules.

Its good that its allowed to be discussed in debate tho, because honestly i absolutely do not know why people oppose against the idea, if Jesus lets people resurrect people from the dead, then why is the idea that reincarnation takes place so controversial?

The Bible says it does not happen, so therefore Christians do not believe in it. This is not about controversy, just about believing what we are told.

There is also the small point of mathematics. There are more people alive today than all our ancestors put together, so where are all the repeat souls coming from? Insects? Earthworms? Daffodils?

Personally speaking, if I get to heaven and find the Buddhists are right, and I am offered another turn, I am going to politely decline.

Once is most definitely enough for me, thanks.

 

[Catherineanne]

I don't know about that. You can make the Bible say just about anything you want.

For example, doesn't Jesus say that John the Baptist is Elijah? Since Elijah died years before John the Baptist was born, can't this be interpreted as "John the Baptist is the reincarnation of Elijah"?

Nope. Because if he actually was Elijah, he would have been called Elijah.

Our Lord spoke in allegory, and in allegorical terms John is Elijah, just as Our Lord is the second Adam. Not Adam reincarnated, but a second version of the First Man.

 

[Catherineanne]

There will be more liberal minded Christians in this forum who may or may not believe in reincarnation but certainly won't see it as an "evil" belief.

I am pretty liberal, and I certainly do not think any belief per se is 'evil'. Beliefs are morally neutral until they are turned into behaviour, and it is the behaviour which carries the burden of morality.

Ergo, believing in reincarnation is not per se evil. But I still think it is not true.

What is true is that those who believe in reincarnation often have a greater consciousness of the sanctity of all life, and that Christians, Jews and Moslems can all learn a great deal from this attitude. Imo, we tend to be rather dismissive of life, particularly the non human kind.

 

[spblat]

I am pretty liberal, and I certainly do not think any belief per se is 'evil'. Beliefs are morally neutral until they are turned into behaviour, and it is the behaviour which carries the burden of morality.

Ergo, believing in reincarnation is not per se evil. But I still think it is not true.

What is true is that those who believe in reincarnation often have a greater consciousness of the sanctity of all life, and that Christians, Jews and Moslems can all learn a great deal from this attitude. Imo, we tend to be rather dismissive of life, particularly the non human kind.

 

[brothersean]

There is a big difference between the Resurrection and "reincarnation." Reincarnation is the transmigration of the soul into another life-form in this world.

The Biblical Truth, is Resurrection, a new and beautiful body given by God to His saved children in the New World.

The Bible says nothing of reincarnation, and it only speaks of Resurrection.

Wow, that was my shortest post today.

 

[TheyShallExpel]

John wasnt elijah...sheesh. He had the anointing of elijah...get with the programme. as for reincarnation; Christians dont believe in it because Jesus teaches that we have one life and then sleep til his return.

 

[iannassah]

"And as it is appointed for men to die once,
but after this the judgment,"
Hebrews 9:27
​

 

[universalmessenger]

The topic of reincarnation has been established as being an antithisis of Christian beliefs. Endorcement of it is against the rules.

Its good that its allowed to be discussed in debate tho, because honestly i absolutely do not know why people oppose against the idea, if Jesus lets people resurrect people from the dead, then why is the idea that reincarnation takes place so controversial?

I agree with Existance. in fact I'm debating with other people about that same subject on my blogroll. John the Baptist was the reincarnated Spirit of Elijah.

 

[Devekut]

As a Gnostic Chrisitan, I actually do believe in some form of reincarnation or rebirth. This simply makes more sense to me as I hold to the belief that the essence of God fundamentally acts as the root-essence of every soul. Soul's are not "created" in my opinion, but are hewn from God by God and given the gift of individuality. Whether in spiritual realms or earthly incarnations, I belief the root-essence of my soul existed before me now and will continue in a spiritual quest for Christ after death.

But that's just my opinion, I don't hold that other Christians should think likewise.

 

[plmarquette]

As a Gnostic Chrisitan, I actually do believe in some form of reincarnation or rebirth. This simply makes more sense to me as I hold to the belief that the essence of God fundamentally acts as the root-essence of every soul. Soul's are not "created" in my opinion, but are hewn from God by God and given the gift of individuality. Whether in spiritual realms or earthly incarnations, I belief the root-essence of my soul existed before me now and will continue in a spiritual quest for Christ after death.

But that's just my opinion, I don't hold that other Christians should think likewise.

by definition ... gnosticism ... god is all good , flesh is evil ... god then cannot interface with men or come to earth and interact with men ... so what is written in genesis 1 and john 1 are considered false ...

hewn from... in essesnce that is what is being described in Genesis 1.26 ...

 

[plmarquette]

I agree with Existance. in fact I'm debating with other people about that same subject on my blogroll. John the Baptist was the reincarnated Spirit of Elijah.

John wore the mantle of Elias , which is why some denied Jesus , they were awaiting the resurrection of elias the prophet ... like pirates of the carribean 1 ... and they missed jesus

 

[The Bellman]

Exactly what does Jesus say about John the Baptist (in relation to his being Elijah)?