Question: Dear Greg,

I was wondering about the theory of Reincarnation and your opinion on this topic. I have heard some good points on this issue and I would like your opinion on this subject!

Thanks!

Bob

Answer: Hello Bob,

Big topic – here’s a few thoughts for your consideration.

Reincarnation literally means "to come again, in the flesh". This belief is not to be confused with the historical fact and Christian belief of Christ’s incarnation – see John 1: and 1 John 4:1-2. Reincarnation means that after death the soul attaches itself to another body and returns to live another life. The most common kind of reincarnation teaching comes from Hinduism and Buddhism, and are based on the laws of karma. Karma says that what one sows in this life will be reaped in the next. Every action in this life has a consequence.

The Bible says the essence of what karma teaches is simply a reiteration of the laws that God has set in motion – for this life – for Gal. 6:7 says that we reap what we sow – that is, we pay consequences in our physical lives and bodies for actions that we take during our physical lives. BUT, the big difference with Christianity and reincarnation beliefs is when we come to the afterlife. The Bible is clear – the kingdom of heaven is not gained on the basis of what we do, on the merits we gain, the works we amass (Ephesians 2:8-10). Salvation is a gift, given to us by and because of the riches of God’s grace – and it will not be enjoyed in someone else’s body, but in our own glorified, immortal body (see 1 Cor. 15).

The Bible teaches that the spirit and soul of humans is disembodied after death, awaiting resurrection. Reincarnation teaches that the soul becomes embodied – in another body. Reincarnation is a process of perfection (works based religion) while the Christian belief based upon biblical teaching of the resurrection is that resurrection is a perfected state, given and imparted by God’s grace. Reincarnation is an intermediate state, but resurrection is an ultimate states. Resurrection happens once into the same body; reincarnation claims to happen many times into different bodies.

Reincarnation is works based, performance based religion – and it’s appeal is widespread – one in four Americans believe in reincarnation, one in three college age people, and among Christians the ratio is one in five! Perhaps one of the reasons is that we do not understand God’s grace, that he loves us without reservation, unconditionally – for that notion and practice is foreign to anything that we experience in our world.

Hope this helps, Bob. May God be with you and bless you!

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht