Hi everybody!
I was discussing the Bible and reincarnation with Christians on another Forum. I put together a list of links to Bible-oriented threads at the Past Life Forum (which is the best reincarnation Forum on the Internet, in my opinion).
For those you looking for connections between Christianity and reincarnation, please feel free to look at these links:
What does the Bible say about reincarnation?
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bibleHow do reincarnation and Christianity fit together?
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bibleThe Gnostic Texts and Reincarnation
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bibleElijah and John The Baptist - A Case of Reincarnation Mentioned in the Bible
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bibleBiblical past lives
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bibleWhat Jesus said about children who -- do not forget
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bibleBiblical times
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bibleThe Holy Land during Jesus' lifetime?
http://www.childpastlives.org/vBulletin/sh...highlight=bible From Theosophia #2:
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KARMA IN THE BIBLE
Many people have wondered whether the teaching of Theosophy concerning Karman or the universal Chain of Causation is referred to in the Bible. Some students have pointed out the fact that this teaching is definitely stated by St. Paul. But it is not generally known that references to this universal fact of being are quite numerous throughout the various books of tile Scriptures. For the benefit of students, and particularly of public lecturers who may have occasion to compare the Theosophical teachings with those contained in the Bible, the following quotations are here brought together.
For the work of a man shall be rendered unto him. and cause every man to find according to his ways. Job, xxxiv, 11.
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou rendered to every man according to his work. Ps. lxii, 12.
... and shall not he render to every man according to his works? Prov. xxiv, 12.
I the Lord search the heart. I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer. xvii, 10.
... for thine eyes are often upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer. xxxii, 19.
Who will render to every man according to his deeds. Rom. ii. 6.
For the Son of man ... shall reward every man according to his works. Matt. xvi, 27.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it he good or bad. 2 Cor. v, 10.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Col. iii, 2.5.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a than soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. vi. 7.
... and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Rev. ii. 23.
And, behold, I come quickly: and reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev. xxii. 12.
The above quotations are given in the wording of King James' Bible. This does not mean that students of Theosophy accept this particular rendering or translation as being correct. On the contrary, the translation is definitely very faulty. But the accepted rendering does not materially alter the meaning of the precepts which these verses imbody. Our deduction is: the age-old teaching of Causation is a Christian teaching as well. But it has been sorely neglected by organized religion and its practical efficacy has been reduced to the vanishing point. Only the teachings of Theosophy, if applied in daily life, can make this ancient tenet a reality in our code of conduct.
Of course the Zohar also explains this all according to the Tanakh or Torah. I do not recall if I got to it in the Zohar yet, but if we could find it you could give those people some more proof.
I have never read the Bible. I did read somewhere that the council of Nicaea struck reincarnation out of the teachings, because if the people knew they had a choice the church would have no control over them anymore. Does any one know about this. I am curious.
Sara,
You said,
"...I did read somewhere that the council of Nicaea struck reincarnation out of the teachings, because if the people knew they had a choice the church would have no control over them anymore."
--> That is exactly how I see it. In my humble opinion, it was a political decision.
My favorite passage is John 9:2 :
Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
The implication is that the man could not have sinned in this life, as he was born blind. This indicates that reincarnation was probably a common concept in the Levant in Jesus' day.
Sara,
In my humble opinion, the original Christians (actually Essenes) believed in reincarnation. Most of it was edited out of the Bible later. However, as you have shown, they missed a couple of spots.