Is Reincarnation Biblical? http://home.earthlink.net/~ronrhodes/Reincarnation.html

Today approximately 30 million Americans (one in four) believe in reincarnation. The word "reincarnation" literally means to "come again in the flesh." The process of reincarnation - continual rebirths in human bodies - allegedly continues until the soul has reached a state of perfection and merges back with its source (God or the "Universal Soul"). One's lot in life, according to those who believe in reincarnation, is based on the law of karma. This law says that if bad things happen in one's life, this is an outworking of bad karma. If good things happen in one's life, this is an outworking of good karma.

"Karma" refers to the "debt" a soul accumulates because of good or bad actions committed during one's life (or past lives). If one accumulates good karma by performing good actions, he or she will be reincarnated in a desirable state. If one accumulates bad karma, he or she will be reincarnated in a less desirable state. In Shirley MacLaine's book Out on a Limb we are told, "Reincarnation is like show business. You just keep doing it until you get it right."

Some people twist the Scriptures and say that Jesus Himself taught reincarnation or "cyclical rebirth." In Matthew 11:14, for example, Jesus said, "And if you are willing to accept it, [John the Baptist] is the Elijah who was to come." Likewise, in John 3:3 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

But these passages, rightly interpreted, do not support reincarnation. Matthew 11:14 does not really teach that John the Baptist was a reincarnation of Elijah. Luke 1:17, an important cross reference, tells us that the ministry of John the Baptist was carried out "in the spirit and power of Elijah." Moreover, reincarnationists conveniently forget that John the Baptist, when asked if he was Elijah, flatly answered, "No!" (John 1:21).

Regarding Jesus' words about being "born again" in John 3:3, the context clearly shows that Jesus was referring to a spiritual rebirth or regeneration. In fact, the phrase born again carries the idea of "born from above," and can even be translated that way. Jesus clarified His meaning by affirming that "flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (v. 6).

There are other Scriptures that clearly debunk the notion of reincarnation. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment...." Each human being lives once as a mortal on earth, dies once, and then faces judgment. He does not have a second chance by reincarnating into another body. Second Corinthians 5:8 indicates that at death the Christian immediately goes into the presence of the Lord, not into another body. Luke 16:19-31 indicates that unbelievers at death go to a place of suffering, not into another body.

We must also remember that Jesus taught that people decide their eternal destiny in a single lifetime (Matthew 25:46). This is precisely why the apostle Paul emphasized that "now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Further, Jesus taught the concept of resurrection, not reincarnation. In fact, He predicted His own resurrection early in His public ministry (John 2:19). And after Jesus resurrected from the dead, He appeared to some disciples and said, "Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have" (Luke 24:39). Jesus resurrected in the same body that went into the tomb. His body even retained the scars and wounds in His hands, feet, and side from the crucifixion (John 20:28).

In addition to biblically refuting reincarnation, we must also point to some of the practical problems involved in the theory of reincarnation. For example, we must ask, Why does one get punished (via "bad karma") for something he or she cannot remember having done in a previous life? Moreover, if the purpose of karma is to rid humanity of its selfish desires (as reincarnationists say), then why has there not been a noticeable improvement in human nature after all the millennia of reincarnations on earth?

Finally, if reincarnation and the law of karma are so beneficial on a practical level, as reincarnationists claim, then how do they explain the immense and ever-worsening social and economic problems - including widespread poverty, starvation, disease, and horrible suffering - in India, where reincarnation has been systematically taught throughout its history?

I have seen alot of people here that believe in reincarnation and I have the same question as the article here, If we are reincarnated then why are things getting worse instead of better? It seems to me if we are all reincarnated souls then by now the earth would be perfect, all the mistakes and bad decisions being learned each time you would think we would have gotten it right by now , No? If one person has had many lives then tey should be soooooo knowledgble , think if say Einstein were reincarnated he would keep growing in knowledge each life he had so therefore he would be truly genuis and so many others too. So how do you explain these qustions, Or is there an answer?
Always a pleasure

I believe in reincarnation, but not the way described in this article. I believe that when we die, no matter if we've been good or bad we go to the Summerlands where we wait to be reincarnated.

Sandee... I do have to ask, why do you cap all your titles? *twitches*


Yes, I believe in reincarnation... very basis of my faith.

if you don't mind me asking, what is your religion?

while I don't know about reincarnation , I don't really believe in it and can't see why anyone in their right mind would want to think of the earth as an end all destination compared to a whole universe ,,,,, it's just in my mind as ridiculous as believing in Jesus. aka a middle man to get to God. 2000 years ago the idea of Jesus was needed because back then they thought things were so bad here on earth that the time for a Saviour was needed ..... lol they didn't think it would get worse.

both beliefs are nothing more than opinion. hopes with no proof. the fact that the bible is based on older beliefs should be a hint.

so neither make much sense.

But once your reincarnated then the knowledge you learned in past lives should carry through to the next life, Right?

Sorry I have lways done that I did not know it offended anyone since its never been brought to my attention.
I understand your basis of faith is reincarnation but how can this be when we don't learn from life to life and if we do then why is the world not better with all this knowledge? Always a pleasure

I'm studying Shamanism. Figure.. either this life or the next I'll actually be a fully fledged shaman. Mebbe >.>

I would say no, because if in your last life you died after getting shot in the chest five times and then dieing after a painful 20 minutes i doubt you would want to remember that. After all they say ignorance is bliss.

But there are people who have seen Jesus and heard his teachings and the reincarnation of one to many lives is questionable because it defys its logic. In other words we as humans learn from our mistakes so would it be impossible to think that if one person had many lives they would know farrrrr more than we know today,

Oh we do learn. We may not be realizing it untill we delve deeper into why things happen the way they do. It's just a matter of opening your mind, spirit, and eyes to see what it is the fates, the gods, then whathave you wishes you to learn, understand, and work on.

Reincarnation literally means come again in the flesh, Why is it that the persons life would not be part of that? Jesus still bore the signs of the nails in his flesh after his resserction do you think this is a sign of reincarnation and if so that would prove that yor past lives go with each "flesh"?

Not necessarily. In between incarnations, in the spirit realm, you would have full access to all your lives and memories to study in order to grow. But, in the fleshy incarnation, that knowledge would only serve to cloud your reason for being in the flesh at that time.
My belief is that we are here to learn. And some, very advanced souls, to teach others. To that end, in the spirit realm, we chose the circumstances of our next birth, and the major events in our lives to come in order to learn the lessons we feel we need.

Jesus wasn't reincarnated. He supposedly was ressurected. Two different things. Ressurecting is comeing back to life in the same body that you were in. So you would bare the same wounds.

Reincarnation is comeing back as something completely new. Like say in my next life I actually do come back as a cougar. I wouldn't have any of the wound markings I have now.

According to your religion, your messiah was NOT re-incarnated, but resurrected - the life force was returned to the shell that he inhabited. Two very different ideas.

fuzzy cat, what are you doing in my head?


Stop prowling around! It tickles!!!!!

If we have had so many lives why arn't we genius

Something about that seems gramatically incorrect..

I'm Hindu by birth, reincarnation might be a big part of my relegion, I'm not sure though, but I have nothing against it, and its a much safer belief then others around..

who ? no one in the bible who has written physically knew Jesus. so who ? You have stories related years later by people of stories handed down about a guy named Jesus. as to what he did and being rising from the dead we have no proof. that defys logic. that no historian during the time wrote about his life . that defies logic seeing how upset he made the religious leaders and romans at the time - headline news . that defies logic. stories tend to be embellished as time goes on to make one appear greater. doesn't make it true.

while I don't believe in reincarnation , I don't think the end result of reincarnation is to make the world a better place as much as it's supposed to be to realize the separation of soul and body. correct me if I'm wrong. that the human experience is different than that of the souls. That the human experience will always contain strife since it is human and not spiritual. But that the spiritual utilizes the human experience to gain insite into itself.

which I think why here ? I don't think this is the end all destination or the center of the universe.

But I liiiiike it in here!!

I believe in reincarnation as part of my religion. Your spirit learns lessons, grows and evolves. When you think about it most people are dumb as rocks and have to keep coming back until they get it right. Oh well, see you in the next life.

Well, at least ease up on the claws.


And stay out of the closet marked "Cougar fantasy".................

There are different belief systems regarding reincarnation, but generally the idea is that we start our lives tabula rasa; with a clean slate. The human part of us has no memory of past lives. The spirit gains the benefits(or not) of the lifes efforts; good and bad.

When a person dies they take what they have learned and the effects of the deeds they have done with them. It may have a good outcome it may have a bad outcome, it may be a wash. The spirit may gain some degree of knowledge or experience it needs from that life but maybe not enough to fully understand what it needs to understand.

It isnt a constant forward movement that we retain all of our knowledge from past lives. I am not sure where you got the article from but it makes a lot of big assumptions that are fundementally flawed that lead to a flawed conclusion.

The concept of reincarnation has as much merit as any other religious afterlife belief, and when you look into at any depth actually explains human nature rather well. it is a fascinating diverse topic.

I did not pose my question correctly, In the article here they say reincarnationist say that the bible states that there is indeed reincarnation.

Regarding Jesus' words about being "born again" in John 3:3, the context clearly shows that Jesus was referring to a spiritual rebirth or regeneration. In fact, the phrase born again carries the idea of "born from above," and can even be translated that way. Jesus clarified His meaning by affirming that "flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (v. 6).
I was trying to ask if they seen the marks as a sign of ressurection or a sign of reincarnation?

You are right it is not proper grammer please excuse me.
Do you see reincarnation as of the flesh as in born over and over or spritual as you move around spirituaily and not neccesarliy in human form?



I know we have very different veiws on Jesus' life and the history but I think the bie does support the fact that Jesus did indeed live and is the son of God. I know thats just one opinion and there are many more but I believe in the wor of God, Always a pleasure

Reincarnation is a belief in many religions right? So how did it come about , I mean we know Jesus' and God from the bible is the religions thats involved have experiences that made them believe in reincarnation?

*finds the closet and slips in*

Muahahaha


*coughs*

I've.. totaly lost track of the conversation now...

>attempts to get the train back on the track<




It may be as simple as human ego at work, same as all other belief systems. Humans feel that there is something so special about themselves, that there must be more than just death and discorporation.
The concept of reincarnation has been around for a long time, at least as long as the Hindu faith. Come to think of it, many religions believe in reincarnation, of a sort. The Abramic trio believes that your spirit is 'reborn' in heaven.









Silly Kitty, you were warned.....I am not responsible for any emotional trauma you may be suffering for delving into the dark recesses of my mind.
However, if anything you find intrigues you, we can talk in PM

As far as I know the first written mention of reincarnation is in Hinduism in India, but I know the ancient greeks played with the idea as well and different African tribes handed the idea down verbally, I am not sure how far back that goes. Hindu beliefs are varied, they have different sects like Christianity does, but it commonly believed to have been started back around 800bc.

Hinduism has its religious texts written in Sanskrit; my Sanskrit is a little rough, but my understanding is that the books are brought together much like the books of the Christian bible were. It is a collection of different philosophers and great minds of the time and later canonized into what it is today.

I could be wrong here but I believe the Krishna is the god that explained the idea of reincarnation of everyone in their religious text.

Reborn in heaven , what an interesting thought . If one is reborn in heaven that would be their spiritual self or soul so that would explain alot. Just a thought
As a christian I have oftenwondered if your soul goes to heaven after death or are you just in the grave until Jesus returns, But if one were reborn in heaven do they stay in heaven or does part of their spirit live on in another form (reincarnation)? I don't know ,I am not making much sense I know I will try and get my point across later,

This is just my own, possibly wacked-out opinion, but...
In some ways, Christians DO believe in reincarnation (though perhaps not of everyone).

For instance, those who believe the Second Coming of Christ will occur....
I'd be surprised if most of those people expect that Jesus will "return" in the exact same body depicted by the church. (I say "depicted" we obviously have no evidence that that is how he looked, if he did exist) If this were the case, there would be none of the imbeciles in the world who either believe they ARE Christ, or believe they have found him to be on Earth again...or..whatever...

So if they believe that Christ will return in spirit, but not in the same body, etc...Then that's a pretty obvious belief in reincarnation, to me.

Also, note the completely absurd similarities between the Ancient Egyptian Ankh and the Christian cross. Both are extremely important symbols to their respected followers. And they both represent a life after death, among other things.

That's my two cents.

The answer is supply and demand. There are certain people who have a dim view of the educational system now, but things get used and worn out over time and those things that do must be dropped. There's old economic policies, mathmatical formulas, even some biological parts of animals.
If you have ever gotten the knowledge of a bell curve, now is the time to use it.

good goes to bad and bad goes to good... can that happen? everything we see here is divided into two.. good n bad, men and women, oxygen n carbondioxide, physical and mental, positive and negative, right n wrong, truth and lies. without two there is no energy..

-

Reincarnation to me has always seemed one of the most unlikely of supernatural occurrences because it doesn’t seem to explain anything just causes more questions.

How did humans find out they get reincarnated – or do you just find the idea appealing? Is there a quota of souls - were the initial amount made then they just get recycled? Does anybody here remember their past lives?

-

true, but you have most coming back here. and of course they claim alot of the time to be royalty or someone special. people used to claim to be native american princesses until they learned there is no such thing.

you never hear of the ordinary farmer with the ordinary life where nothing special happened. of course not.

the concept of reincarnation isnt something that is easy for us to comprehend as any spiritual teaching. giving it a bit of thought and then concluding on it because it doesnt 'make sense' according to our logic is very confining. personally i think the idea of reincarnation is alot easier to beleive than the idea of hell. saying we only have one chance to learn and if we get it wrong there is an eternal suffering coming our way is something i find hard to beleive. god simply isnt like that since he is universal and unconditional love. why wouldnt we get as many chances as we need to learn from what we came here to experience. notice how jesus never taught of hell.

ressurection and reincarnition are seperate things they dont cross over.

the bible is open to interpritation so stating it only means one thing in a sentence seems a bit to closed off.

you can remember your past lives if you tap into your subconscience. the soul doesnt forget anything and it also cant.

the concept of karma is also complex not just you get what you give. that concept seems fear based when karma is not. the idea of life is to learn first hand through experience. if someone was good in all their lives and always had a good/ easy life they wouldnt learn much. to learn of something you have to experience both sides of the situation. you have to have a 360 view of the situation and come to a healthy balance on the topic. to be eternally happy you have to have experienced sadness and grief and also compassion and love. if you only learn one end of the spectrum you cant reach a balanced state of realisation.

Anyone Interested in Reincarnation should look at my post called the boy who lived before

There may be a group of 6ft tall Bipedal, Albino reptiles discusing the fact that most incarnates go there. That would be a perspective based comment.
Also you do hear of people who where just ordinary farmers. Small children who died tragically and never had a chance and people who where unknown for any reason at all and so can't be verified. I myself still hold the belief that My Children are incarnates of mine and my husbands Grandfathers.
Certainly my youngest was born a synical old man.

Fluffy, that was a very interesting post. I trully enjoyed reading it.

And now my take on the reason as to why we incarnate is this. We are all here on a cycle. In each life we look for a conection to spirit, each level gaining a stronger connection with spirit until you make a full connection. Then after all your hard work you are granted another life, a holiday from searching for Spirit, the life of the Athiest. At which point we start the journey again.
It is I was told a Kahbahlistic belief.
I believe that these cycles are as un-stopable as the actual cycle of life and death itself, but there are also so many other lessons to learn and not all of them cute and loving.

-

I think that the knowlege of walking on all fours is much simpler than trying to balance on two and once you progress in your DNA to the point of being a two-legged, the spirit that relies on the message from the DNA will always in every life have a body that is conformed to the upright position.
I also think that we have an attraction mechanism in play, the sun. You know, there has always been the statement 'like attracts like.' Your thoughts are photons generated by the collision of two ions in the synapse of the brain. The sun is photons generated by the collision of ions somewhere in the sun. And the sun is not a little ball in the sky either, it is a very very large humongous ball of liquid that has forever been churning inward.