Introduction
Cultic and occultic organizations are spreading their religious views about reincarnation. Americans are susceptible to reincarnation. The Christian response and answer to the alleged evidences of reincarnation is credible, true and believable. The definition of reincarnation is apparently important for our understanding of it. There is a difference between reincarnation and the Hindu doctrine of transmigration. Transmigration is known as the doctrine of cyclic rebirth in different forms. The Eastern belief of transmigration appeals to the Eastern mind. Transmigration occurs with what is known as the law of karma. Yet reincarnation is coming back on earth in a different human body. The Western mind finds the Eastern thought of transmigration more difficult to apprehend, and believe. Reincarnation from the Western mind is a redefinition of transmigration. Transmigration is tainted with Eastern concepts, and portrayed as new. The doctrine of reincarnation is an ancient doctrine described in a way that makes it attractive. Essentially, reincarnation and transmigration are to be understood as the same thing, but it manifests itself in “the Eastern mind and the Western mind.”[i]
The question arises is reincarnation true? if resurrection is a reality. If reincarnation is true, then resurrection is false. If resurrection is true, then reincarnation is false. Resurrection and reincarnation cannot both be truth. Either one is true or none is true. The Christian Bible explicitly teaches the atonement, resurrection of Christ and eternal torment[ii] not reincarnation. The atonement and resurrection of Christ has already been established from the divine Word.
Did Christianity teach it?
Advocates of reincarnation like to say that Christianity has taught it in the past. There is no evidence for this position. Advocates of reincarnation also like to say that it solves the problem of evil. Within the first life of the person, there is evil. There is no life before the first life. Since there is evil within the first life, there was no previous life to explain the evil in it. Reincarnation does not solve the problem of evil. Some say that evil is eternal. But this complicates the problem of evil. It does not solve it.
Elijah: A Case of Reincarnation?
Advocates of reincarnation will use Elijah as proof of reincarnation. The Bible teaches that Elijah was taken up into heaven, “As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven” (2 Kings 2:11 NASB). The New Testament declares, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God” (Heb. 11:5 NASB).
Does Born Again Mean Reincarnation?
Advocates of reincarnation will refer to the New Testament language of being born again. They will say it refers to reincarnation. When the New Testament refers to being born again, it is not referring to reincarnation. Rather, it is refers to regeneration. When a person is regenerated it does not mean they are reincarnated. Christ was the first person to declare the absolute necessity of being regenerate. Regeneration comes before faith. In order to enter the kingdom of heaven, a person must be born again. Regeneration enables and changes the heart to actually believe. This simply means that a person who is born from above will have spiritual life in this existence. Regeneration is spiritual resurrection. John 11:1-46 refers to the death and physical resurrection of Lazarus. Non-born again people are like Lazarus. Unregenerate people are spiritually dead. But it is Christ who calls the dead to life, “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43 NASB). The resurrection of Lazarus supports the Reformed understanding of spiritual resurrection and physical resurrection. The work of the Holy Spirit is accomplished upon the spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-10). Non-born again people are regenerated from the will of the Living Father through His Living Son by His Living Spirit. The Spirit of holiness recreates the heart. He quickens the human being from spiritual death to spiritual life. With regeneration there is an inclination for God in the heart of the believer. God planets a true desire in the human heart for Himself. This desire would be wholly absent if God did not plant it there. Regeneration is God’s divine act in the salvation of the soul. Thus Ezekiel 36:26 says, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (NASB). Also 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity…” (NASB).
Exposing Recall
In reincarnation there is recall. First, there is hypnotic recall. There are presumptions and manifestations from hypnotic recall that are utterly unbiblical. Second, there is intuitive recall. The person has unclear impressions and recollections. But impressions and recollections can be wrong. People can be deceived from their own minds. Third, there is spontaneous recall. There was a case of Bridey Murphy. This case seemed like a sure support for reincarnation. But this person never existed at all. This person read books and actually learned Gaelic from her grandmother at a young age. When hypnosis took place, she recalled these things. This case was thought to be proof for reincarnation but in actuality it was not. Fourth, there is psychic recall. This information is clairvoyant in nature. Psychics tell a person they have lived before. The spirits tell the person what life they lived. Then the person begins to believe the information about living a past life. But the spirits are wicked and must not be believed. In short, recall is not logical or trustworthy. It does not explain, indirectly or directly, reincarnation. Rather, recall only demonstrates it is not a sound argument.[iii]
Who purges from sin?
Advocates of reincarnation claim it purges us from sin. The Christian Bible teaches that Christ Himself, and He alone, purges or cleanses His people from their sin. 2 Peter 1:9 proclaims that believers are actually purged from their sins: “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (KJV). Also the author of Hebrews 1:1-3 declares,
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high… (NASB).
The divine Lord Jesus Christ purged His people from their sins. It was not reincarnation. Reincarnation could never actually accomplish this. Rather, it was and is the Incarnate King. He alone has the power to cleanse from sin. Anything apart from Christ Himself who claims to cleanse people from sin is a counterfeit. The divine Lamb of God cleanses His people from their sin. He has the divine ability to accomplish purging from sin.[iv]
God Alone Forgives and Cleanses From Sin
Moreover, the divine Word provides His own with assurance of the forgiveness and the cleansing (Ps. 51:2) from sin when His people repent, “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin….If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7, 9 NASB). Christ’s blood cleanses His people from dead works, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14 NASB).
The All-Sufficient Redeemer Paid It All
There is no need to enter the process of reincarnation. Rather, Christ Himself paid the debt that His people could not pay, and gained everlasting redemption. The author of Hebrews 9:11-12 declares,
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (NASB).
Scripture declares, “but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD… For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Heb. 10:12, 14 NASB). Only by the actual blood of Christ are sins remitted. There would be no remission of sin unless His blood was shed. It was the Just for the unjust, the Righteous for the unrighteous, the Holy for the unholy, the Good for the bad and the Sinless for the sinner. Isaiah 53:4-5 NASB declared,
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
The atonement of Christ is vicarious. He paid the debt for His elect only. He is the actual Savior and Redeemer. The gospel of the all-sufficient atonement of Christ is denied by reincarnation. His ultimate sacrifice was offered once and for all. Therefore, reincarnation is not necessary and must be rejected.[v]
Suffering In Vain
Reincarnationists suffer for the sins of their previous life but people do not know the sins that are suffering for. This denies that Christ alone provided atonement for sin of His people. The suffering of sinners for their sin will not avail before God the Father. Only the sinless God-man could bear the sins of His people and make sufficient atonement for them. Full disclosure is not provided for the reincarnationist of their past lives. Their suffering is in vain. First, a sinner cannot atone for his own sins. Second, the suffering is in vain since the past sins of the past lives are not manifested in the present life. How can the law of karma perfect me if I repeat the same sin and are being punished for the same sin?[vi] John 9:1-3 demonstrates that Christ Jesus did not hold to the law of karma, “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (NASB). Note well: this man did not sin or his parents. Rather “…it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
The Christian Bible addresses this matter to Christians, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58 NASB). Moreover, “holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain” (Phil. 2:16 NASB).
At Home with the Lord
The destination of a Christian is heaven not cyclic rebirth. Consider these verses from the Christian Bible: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain…But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake” (Phi. 1:21, 23-24 NASB). “we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8 NASB). “They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" (Acts 7:59 NASB). “And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43 NASB).
Reject Reincarnation
Reincarnation does not answer the problem of evil. It does not deal with sin correctly. Christianity has no favoritism towards reincarnation because it is simply untrue. It is contrary to the divine Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. It is not just nor does it accomplish justice. It does not purge us from our sin. Rather, it is foreign to the justice of God and it is alien to the Christian gospel of the bodily Risen Redeemer. It is militantly opposed to the heart of the Christian gospel. Therefore, it must be rightly rejected.
Fearing Death?
Jesus Christ vanquished death; He conquered it. Death is unnatural to life. Do you fear death, or perhaps what may come after death? Christ has victory over the grave. All before Him were thieves and robbers. Christ has shown Himself to be the Living One. And, in terms of after death, where He is we shall be also! May the Christian sing, “Jesus lives, and so shall I. Death! Thy sting is gone forever! He who deigned for me to die, lives, the bands of death to sever. He shall raise me from the dust: Jesus is my Hope and Trust.”[vii]
Turning to the Risen Christ
Now we shall turn to the certainty of the bodily Risen Christ. “Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power” (1 Cor. 6:14 NASB).
[i] Walter Martin. The Riddle Of Reincarnation (Vision House Publishers: Santa Ana, California, 1977), 5-7. This endnote includes the entire paragraph.
[ii] The Bible teaches the doctrine of eternal hell. This scriptural doctrine is unpopular today. But it is still true. Hell is taught in Matt. 8:12, 25:41, 46 and Rev. 19:20. Those who reject the gospel are sent to hell. The reality of the doctrine of eternal hell, which was taught by Christ Himself, shows that reincarnation is not true. Therefore, reincarnation must be rejected, and the scriptural doctrines must be believed.
[iii] Martin, 18-20.
[iv] Martin, 24-25.
[v] Martin, 24-26.
[vi] Martin, 26. Dr. Martin states, “Yet this so-called karma law of justice seems to be turning me over forever on some kind of reincarnational cosmic spit, until at length I arrive at the place where I have some kind of absorption into something. This philosophy is classic monism, in which there is only one reality and in which evil is negated. But Scripture tells us that evil is real and is the opposite of the eternal God. Evil exists by His permission, but it is real….One of the questions the reincarnationists have difficulty answering is, “Why can’t I remember my past so that I can profit from it in the present, and won’t have to suffer for it in the future?” This very reasonable question never seems to get a satisfactory.” (p. 27).
