Origins of the Belief
Early Christianity was a new form of Judaism that began in the first century of the Common Era. It is founded on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the other apostles. Within this new form of worship, there was a belief in reincarnation. This belief was based largely on the teachings of Saint Paul and his notion of the “resurrection of life”. Paul believed that if one followed the teaching of Jesus and lived a life of faith, their soul would be reborn in Heaven. Thus, for many early Christians, reincarnation was seen as a sort of spiritual cleansing that would ultimately lead to salvation in the afterlife.
The early Church Fathers also believed in reincarnation and the concept of a pre-existence. The idea of preexistence was closely linked with the notion of “election” – the belief that some people were pre-destined to go to Heaven. This concept of preexistence was also closely linked with the doctrine of “transmigration of souls” – the belief that the soul was able to move from one body to another, allowing for a type of spiritual evolution.
Influences on the Belief
The concept of reincarnation had various influences on the early Christian faith. To begin with, there were certain pagan beliefs that are seen in the Christian scriptures, such as the notion that souls could be reborn. Plato’s works, especially “The Republic”, were especially influential in the concepts of preexistence and reincarnation, as they spoke of the soul being reunited with its source.
The Jewish faith also had a strong influence on early Christianity, and some of its teachings on reincarnation were picked up by the Church Fathers. The influential Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria propounded a similar belief in transmigration of souls, which was adopted by some Church Fathers, including Origen and Augustine.
Incidents from the Bible
An examination of the Bible reveals several incidents which suggest the belief in reincarnation held by some of the early Christians, as well as its influence on Jewish beliefs. For example, in the New Testament gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the Samaritan Woman “you are from the line of Abraham who had two wives, and the second one was Sarah, who is the mother of us all”. This can be seen as an indication of the notion of preexistence, in the sense that Jesus was saying that the woman was born into her present life, but is related to Abraham who lived long before.
Also, in the New Testament, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the need to be “born again”. Similarly, in the second epistle of Peter, the writer speaks of baptism as a means of being “born anew”. These passages suggest that early Christians saw reincarnation as a means of being reborn and experiencing spiritual transformation.
Conclusion of the Belief
At the end of the first millennium, the Church began to officially reject the belief in reincarnation. This marks the end of an era during which the Church Fathers and some other Christians embraced the idea of reincarnation as a part of their religious doctrine. The rejection came about as the Church attempted to clarify its teachings in the face of various heresies and competing philosophies.
While some Christians continue to believe in the notion of reincarnation, today the majority of the Church officially rejects it as a valid doctrine. Instead, they believe in the resurrection of the body on the day of judgment, when the faithful will be reunited with the Lord.
Eastern Variations
Though early Christianity was less likely to embrace the belief in reincarnation, there were some Eastern Christian churches and sects which incorporated this idea into their teachings. For example, the Bogomils, a sect of Eastern Christianity, believed in the concept of a preexistent soul, which could migrate from body to body until it ultimately reaches a state of bliss and union with the Divine.
The Eastern Orthodox Church also incorporates some elements of reincarnation into their teachings. They see the reincarnation of the soul as a journey towards union with God, and believe that the soul can have multiple incarnations in order to complete this journey.
Role of the Kabbalah
The Jewish mystical tradition of the Kabbalah has played an important role in the development of the belief in reincarnation in Eastern Christianity. The Kabbalah is an ancient spiritual tradition that uses ancient symbols and stories to describe the reality of the spiritual world.
The Kabbalah speaks of the soul being re-united with its source, experiencing the journey of passing through various spiritual worlds before reaching its ultimate destination. The Kabbalistic view of the afterlife also places a strong emphasis on the notion of returning to one’s source. This has likely influenced the Eastern Orthodox interpretation of reincarnation, which sees it as a spiritual journey towards union with God.
Modern Interpretations within Christianity
Though the majority of the Church rejects the belief in reincarnation, some modern Christian theologians have argued that there is a place for it within Christianity. For example, many theologians point to the notion of preexistence, and the idea that souls exist which can pass from one body to another.
Furthermore, some theologians cite the teachings of Jesus, such as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which could be seen to suggest a sense of preexistence. For some theologians, this could be seen as an indication that on some level, Christianity does indeed believe in reincarnation.
Mysticism as Acceptance
The belief in reincarnation has had a strong influence on modern Christian mysticism. Many modern Christian mystics accept the notion of reincarnation, seeing it as part of their spiritual journey. These mystics view reincarnation as a means of experiencing spiritual evolution and growth, and often use the tools of the Kabbalah to explore this concept.
In addition, some modern Christians view the belief in reincarnation as evidence of the Divine in their lives. They see the notion of transmigration of souls as an indication of the ultimate divine wisdom and unity of life. Thus, even though the Church officially rejects the belief in reincarnation, it is still embraced by some of its members.
Conclusion of the Topic
Though the majority of the Church rejects the idea of reincarnation, there are many who still believe in it as part of their spiritual journey. Based on evidence from the Bible and other sources, it can be concluded that the belief in reincarnation was present among some early Christians, and has had an influence on modern Christianity. Through the teachings of Jesus and the Kabbalah, many still find the notion of reincarnation to be a powerful concept for exploring the nature of the Divine and the spiritual world.
