OceanSide church of Christ
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REINCARNATION
Victor M. Eskew
“Belief in reincarnation is an ancient phenomenon. This doctrine is a central tenet within
the majority of Indian religious traditions, such as Hinduism (including Yoga,
Vaishnavism, and Shaivism), Jainism, and Sikhism. The idea was also entertained by some
Ancient Greek philosophers. Many
modern Pagans also believe in reincarnation as do some New Age movements, along
with the followers of Spiritism, practitioners of certain African traditions,
and students of esoteric philosophies such as Kabbalah, Surfism and Gnostic and
Esoteric Christianity” (Wikipedia, 2008,
“Reincarnation”).
“Reincarnation, literally ‘to be made flesh again,’ is a doctrine or
metaphysical belief that some essential part of a living being (in some
variations only human beings) survives death to be reborn in a new body. This essential part is often referred to
as the spirit or soul, the ‘higher’ or ‘true’ self, ‘divine spark,’ or ‘I.’ According to such beliefs, a new
personality is developed during each life in the physical world, but some part
of the same self remains constant throughout the successive lives”
(Ibid.).
The doctrine of reincarnation has intrigued many minds, even the minds of
some Christians. They ask: “Is such possible?” And again: “Are we really going to live again in
this world in another form at a future period of time?” The answer to these questions is: “No.” Our divine guide, the Bible, teaches
against the concept of reincarnation.
In the remainder of the is article, we will look at some passages that
refute the idea that we will live again in this world in a different fleshly
form after death.
Hebrews 9:27 refutes the doctrine of reincarnation twice. “And as it is appointed unto men once to
die, but after this the judgment.”
Notice that each person is only going to die once. If reincarnation were true, we could die
several times on this side of eternity.
Notice also that after death the judgment follows. Death, then judgment. There is not a series of successive
lives between the two.
In Luke 16, Jesus refutes the doctrine of reincarnation in His account of
the rich man and Lazarus. In verse
22, both men die. The rich man
entered into “hell,” or hades, a place of torment. Lazarus, on the other hand, “was carried
by the angels into Abraham’s bosom,” a place of comfort (v. 25), a place called
Reincarnation is a false hope of men confused and fearful of the afterlife. Passing into the unknown is not a pleasant alternative. Reincarnation has been devised to allow one to continue in the familiar and comfortable. For the Christian, this world is not his home. He looks to realms beyond with great expectation and anticipation. Paul said it best: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).