I’ll see you in a hundred years or so and we’ll discuss the matter over a beer.
Hi PetriFB
First of all, Buddhism largely rejects the soul and reincarnation preferring the Buddhist conception of re-birth onto either the same plane of existence or different ones as part of a continuum known as samsara
I believe that reincarnation is a rarity. Like Buddhism I don’t believe a person is born with a soul. However, I believe the whole idea of Christian re-birth is to develop a soul.
As a soul is developing, it is sometimes necessary that it reappear on our plane of existence or on earth. When this happens it is reincarnation.
Normally you read of these things in Asia for example where they take esoteric or inner work more seriously. I’ve read cases of young children having to explain to their parents why they must die soon or with a level of understanding far surpassing their parents.
Recently I’ve been studying the life and works of Simone Weil who died at thirty four. There is no way she could have acquired her need to “see” at the expense of her physical well being from some sort of secular education in her late twenties and early thirties. It wasn’t ignorance since she was intellectually beyond all but the very exceptional. She mentions herself that she knew when she was very young that she was born on the inside. Growing up as a Communist she was well aware of Church hypocrisy and her need for honesty made it impossible to play the game. The knowledge was already within her. There was nothing new to learn but her life was a process of remembering and vivifying it.
My guess is that she was a budding soul that reincarnated for some reason requiring her to experience, without preconception, the human condition in the raw. Naturally it tormented her. I really cannot think of another explanation. Her understanding was beyond anything normal for the average person much less her age.
But reincarnation and the whole idea of the soul is the reason I prefer Christianity over Buddhism as it is commonly understood. Where Buddhism strives to end suffering through non existence, Christianity strives for its transformation in the context of Divine plan and man’s evolution as a soul within it. Now that comparison is a real discussion.
P
But it doesn’t deny reincarnation as part of the process. The evolutionary movement towards the kingdom is the goal of Christianity with salvation from being within the body of Christ preserves our opportunity for reaching the Kingdom. The alternative is the involutionary movement further into creation and away from its source or center or: God. Both Christianity and Buddhism recognize this “Hell” or absence of the spiritual direction and its resultant unnecessary suffering.
But what do you mean by “to choose God?” Is this before, after, or during sinning?
Actually the Bible taught reincarnation. Very clearly states: “You reap what you sew.”
Entering the Kingdom of God is hardly kept for the afterlife. It is for now. Right here, right now. The natural consequences of entering the Kingdom here now is an afterlife spent in Heaven. But do not misunderstand. Heaven and hell exist within you. Now. Choose. “You reap what you sew.” Being able to overcome/balance our past karma is the secret to breaking the cycle of reincarnation to cultivate our place in Heaven.
A
And Jesus said ‘Who do you think I am? Some said Joshua, some said Jeshua and some said Melchizedek’ or something there approximating is, I believe, written somewhere in the Bible.
Forgive me PetriFB, your post is way too long and I simply do not have the time to go through it word for word.
I will say this:
Whether or not teachings on reincarnation were removed is not particularly relevant. There is sufficient evidence in the Bible as it is to support reincarnation and what is more important is that the Bible be read with the heart, not with the intellectual mind. What is your intuition when reading, not your opinion, not others’ opinions, but your own deepest intuition? When your intuition functions at its peak, you will find evidence of your experience in the Bible.
A
LA wrote
The trap here is the belief that you have access to your intuition at that level without first having seen your nothingness. Without this revelation, what one believes is their intuition at this level is just a justifying expression of their imagined self importance.
I side with PetrifB accept I take it for the work of the Holy spirit now that Jesus has moved on.
Psychological or spiritual self deception is self deception regardless if considered based on intellect, emotion, or intuition. We need help to experience our nothingness so as to reap the benefits of scripture.
God is the Human spirit Incarnated.