What The Bible Says About Reincarnation
Posted on October 5, 2008
Filed under Christian Devotions
In loving Memory of my kitty cat and friend Ricky 2001-2008
The theory of reincarnation is an idea that most Christians dismiss as being unbiblically based. I have often been drawn to the idea of reincarnation, and curiously wondered if reincarnation explains those moments of déjà vu when you seem to recognize a person or a soul, as if you have known them from another place or another time. Truth be told, the idea of reincarnation is something where we must simply follow our hearts and God’s leading as to whether or not it is a true idea or a myth and falsehood. Scripture within the bible can be used to either substantiate the belief in reincarnation or confirm the falsehood of the belief in reincarnation.
Some scriptures seem to surreptitiously reveal the truth of reincarnation:
Matthew 17:10-13
“His disciples asked, ‘Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?’ Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to set everything in order. But I tell you, he has already come, but he wasn’t recognized and he was badly mistreated. And soon the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands. Then the disciples realized he had been speaking of John the Baptist.”
Those commentaries that defend reincarnation say that Jesus identifies John the Baptist as Elijah in this scripture.
Malachi 4:5
“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives.”
This scripture is one of the messianic promises of the Old Testament. This Old Testament scripture promises Elijah himself, not one like him, to come prior to the messiah. Jesus clearly declares John the Baptist to be Elijah.
Matthew 11:10-15
“John is the man to whom the scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ … And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!”
Although John the Baptist denied being Elijah (for as some commentaries believe, John was carrying the living spirit of Elijah, but not the physical memory) Jesus knows John the Baptist to be Elijah and reveals as much in Matthew.
John 9:1-3
”As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Teacher,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.”
The commentaries I have read on this particular scripture point out that if reincarnation was not a common belief in biblical times, then why would Jesus’ disciples ask if a man born blind could be responsible for his blindness by his own sins?
1 Corinthians 15: 35-39
“But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” … Then God gives it a new body- just the kind he wants it to have… and just as there are different kinds of seeds and plants so there are different kinds of flesh – whether of humans, animals, birds, or fish.”
Some commentaries believe that Paul is discussing the process of reincarnation.
Revelations 12:5
“She gave birth to a boy who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And the child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.”
This scripture says that the child is taken to heaven after birth, yet also says that the child is to rule all nations with an iron rod. The only way that the child could “rule all nations” after being taken to heaven is reincarnation.
And yet, there are an equal number of scriptures that seem to deny the possibility of reincarnation:
Hebrews 9:27
“And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ dies only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.”
There really isn’t much explanation needed, this scripture says we only die once, and after death comes judgment.
Luke 23:43
Jesus tells the criminal on the cross:
“I assure you; today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus comment is that after the death on the cross the criminal will join Jesus in paradise, aka the afterlife. This scripture implies one death and then the afterlife.
Matthew 25:46
“…And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
If you read the context of this scripture you see that Jesus is talking about the judgment that comes after death. There is no mention of going on to reincarnate and live another lifetime, only to go on to the place of punishment or eternal life after we have died and been judged by God.
Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
This scripture too speaks of just one death.
Sometimes in life God doesn’t give us direct answers. Maybe it is because there are some things that we are better off not knowing. Maybe it is because the not knowing is what builds a strong faith in us – as we struggle to survive without all the answers we ultimately find that the only way is for us to believe that God is in control and knows what he is doing. In the same way we cannot possible understand the creation of this beautiful, intricately designed world, we cannot possibly know what God has in store for us after this life. Our comfort is found in prayer and guidance from God.
Until next time – May your life be blessed and your worries be few <3
Jennifer
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Jennifer,
It looks like you did some work on this one. The idea of reincarnation is very appealing to me as well. There are other passages in the bible that seem to contradict each other on other subjects as well. I have a huge book that attempts to explain these contradictions. Whatever the case may be, It is evident that we must make sense of the scriptures and decide what to believe. Thanks for another interesting blog.
Your friend Keri