Is There Such a Thing as Reincarnation in Christianity?

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   terenceyap07posted 15 years ago

   I'm not very good at Bible knowledge. Can anyone here please help me to understand what these few verses actually mean?
   
   "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 11:11-15, NIV
   
   "The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist."  Matthew 17:10-13, NIV

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   knolyourselfposted 15 years ago

   Heaven & Hell - never heard of reincarnation in Christianity. Personally never would try to figure out anything from the bible.
   Don't think there is that much or a reward for the effort. But they do seem to be big on the superstar physical embodiment of God.

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   Inspirepubposted 15 years ago

   I believe that references to reincarnation were generally ruled "apocrypha" by the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and were eliminated from the Canonical version of the Biblical texts.
   
   If you have found some residual references, it just means the Council's lackeys weren't thorough enough.
   
   Jenny

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      Earl S. Wynnposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Right! I've spent a fair amount of time studying comparative religion, and I love digging around in the roots of judeo-christian faiths, so I've seen plenty of references and leads that prove that it was a part of what Jesus taught at one time, but it's been lost over the years.

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         SparklingJewelposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Check out "Reincarnation, the Missing Link in Christianity" by Elizabeth Clare Prophet with Erin Prophet from Summit University Press.
         There are over 100 pages of note sources, references and bibliography. Very informative and well researched.

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            Earl S. Wynnposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            There you go! Very nice.

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   terenceyap07posted 15 years ago

   Yes, I remember having read somewhere that Emperor Constantine was allergic to the word "reincarnation".
   
   Thanks for the heads up, Jenny.

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   terenceyap07posted 15 years ago

   Hey Earl,
   
   Could you share those references and leads. I'm really keen to do some research in this area. Would be much obliged, my friend.

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      Earl S. Wynnposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      See what you can find along the lines of the Gnostic gospel, and a copy of the bible translated from the original aramaic is also helpful. William Henry is a great resource too-- he does books, DVD's, etc. He's kind of far out there, but he pulls together a lot of links between Sumerian texts, Egyptian texts, gnosticism, early christianity, judaism, etc. Also: Joseph Campbell-- most of his stuff is comparative mythology seeking a "monomyth" but it's a good resource. Oh, and google Zietgiest (sp?) The whole opener is a good comparison across the board of the Messiah story.
      
      Actually, that's all a huge base of information leading to it. I saw the actual pinpoint answer in print at one point, but I'm trying to remember where. I'd start with the Gnostic gospel and anything you can find that's unadulterated text from the original texts the bible was condensed and copied down from.
      
      Anybody else have any other ideas/places/etc. to add? Maybe http://www.pastlives.org/christianity.htm It has some pretty basic info, but it's a start.

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   terenceyap07posted 15 years ago

   Sparkling Jewel and Earl:
   
   You people are the greatest. Thank you so much. *smiles*

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   HHBposted 15 years ago

   WOW I just joined the HUB and earlier today I was talking to two women.
   One was a fundamental christian
   the other a new age.
   
   The great divide was appearent.  One that believed in reincarnation did not identify with God but source and the other identified with the trinity and life eternal.
   
   Then I read these threads so obviously I am to seek clarity on the topic too.
   
   Once upon a time,  the earth was flat.  Everyone new this too it was logical.
   Now in our time, what is seen is not real and what we do not see is.
   
   I have met two women who do past life regressions. 
   Totally different methods.
   One,  watches a movie in her minds eye and shares the era and gives names, important dates to the client so they can go look up the information.
   The other speaks in time backwards while you are in a relaxed state and you observe
   your past life in your own mind.
   
   Which is best?  What is true? 
   
   I believe that Jesus is God Incarnate and the Holy Spirit is God too.
   Therefore I am a one God only believer and that God is in me too.
   Which then coincides with the new age that we all are connected.
   
   I am babbling it is 4:30 a.m.  to early for such thoughts.
   Or a first ever post as a new member.
   
   Have a wonderful Thursday.
   
   HH 

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      SparklingJewelposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Personally, from my twenty odd years of research, experiences and healing studies and practice, I think regressions, psychics, channels, mediums, and that ilk are not the best to deal with because it takes you into your past. Looking back is not the answer, because everything we are now is the accumulation of the past, so all we need to do is deal with what human ego conditions we have now and become the best person we can be and attain the holiest connection with God possible.
      Personally, there's nothing Holy about the above mentioned realms of "work". Mucking around in the past, just makes more bad karma and the soul can get lost rooting around in it.
      Deal with your psychology of this life, heal relationship issues with family, friends and God and acquire a devotion that lifts you up; not one that glorifies the human ego or brings you down.

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   mohitmisraposted 15 years ago

   Reincarnation was a part of theiri doctrine but was later banned.

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   knolyourselfposted 15 years ago

   And why was it they the banned the concept?

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      mohitmisraposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Dont know.

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         mohitmisraposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         One theory goes that they were scared of losing their individuality.Like in Hinduism all truths and philosophies are engulfed.Sufism to greek philosophy is blended in something the Church did not want.

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            SparklingJewelposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Well, for sure, it was mostly just the fact that they (thier human egos) wanted to maintain power over the people by being the only ones to "lead" from darkness.
            
            Also, once a person knows his/her soul exists(& existed) beyond this plane, they can attain a greater sense of self with God. As long as the "powers that be" are in control, the people rely on them for guidance and intercession, instead of initiating their own soul by connecting with God. Instead of growing up in a spiritual sense, they stay ignorant children and can't get a sense of their own will.

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    knolyourselfposted 15 years ago

    Good point. There is also the seeming fact that maybe in
    general in the East, the emphasis has been to transcend duality, whereas in the West the emphasis is dualism embraced and personified.

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    Inspirepubposted 15 years ago

    It was political - it's much easier to get people to do what you tell them to do if they think they only have one shot at redemption.
    
    Look how much the frothing-mouthed evangelical Christians bang on about "DIE, return to DUST, suffer in agony for ALL ETERNITY ..." and so on.
    
    Add in reincarnation, and the big stick goes away.
    
    Jenny

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       mohitmisraposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       return to DUST, could have another meaning or tangent to it.
       
       Addded this couplet.
       Spread knowlede of the light is what I must.
       Soon I will be just dust.

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