Why Do We Dream |
|
|
|
Christianity
The Bible and Reincarnation
Parallels to reincarnation are often seen by outsiders in the Christian concepts of rebirth and resurrection which are taught by all mainstream branches of Christianity (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant) as well as most non-traditional branches (Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.). But these groups reject the concept of reincarnation, though some smaller groups (Christian gnostics, the Liberal Catholic Church, and the Christian Community) do include the concept of reincarnation in their doctrine.
In related groups it is frequently maintained, based on certain Bible texts and church fathers (especially Origen), that the early Christians did believe in reincarnation and that the reincarnation proofs had been destroyed by the church later on.
Bible verses used as proof texts for the reincarnation teachings of early Christians are, e.g. Mt 11:14 and 17:12f and John 9,1 ff. Read with a new-age worldview, these texts can indeed be interpreted as referring to reincarnation. :Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the returning prophet Elijah in Matthews 11:14.
When the disciples ask Jesus about a blind man who had sinned: John 9:2 (NIV) His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" John 9:34 (NIV) To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. In the Old Testament, David writes: Psalms 51:5 (NIV) Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
It is also maintained that the 3rd century church father Origen had been an adherent of reincarnation. Origen stood for the pre-existence of the soul -- the concept that the human soul existed already before birth. "The soul has neither beginning nor end... [They] come into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of their previous lives" (De Principiis). He knew the teachings of reincarnation and mentions them in his writings. In his exegesis of the above Bible verses, he discusses how they are interpreted by adherents of reincarnation. Origen, Comment on the Gospel of John, Book VI, Chapter 7 (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/101506.htm).
Karma
Reincarnation in Eastern religions and traditions:
Reincarnation in Western Religions and Traditions:
You Are Here --> Christianity
Contemporary Movements and Thinkers:
The Other Side of the Fence:
Home ~ Edgar Cayce ~ Lucid Dream ~ Lucid Dream History ~ True Lucid Dream Experiences ~ Nightmares ~ Night Terrors ~ Sleepwalking ~ Jungian Dream Interpretation ~ Dream Facts ~ Dream Dictionaries ~ Dream Workbooks ~ Reincarnation ~ Near Death Experience ~ Resources Learn How to Make Money at Home
Why Do We Dream is hosted by Seagate Hosting
Most information on this page has been gathered from the Public Domain
All Information Presented Here Is True & Accurate To The Best Of My Ability
Any material appearing with a copyright © notice is NOT public domain.