Reincarnation: Is it Christian?
by Gilbert Garza
Director of Evangelization & Visitation
Reincarnation is the notion that souls move through time and history from person to person,
inhabiting a body from birth to death gradually learning what is necessary to become like God.
Today this notion has become increasingly popular, or at least tolerated by society. Often mistaken
as a "New Age," there is really nothing new about the idea of reincarnation: it has been around for
thousands of years.
In modern America, reincarnation is most often looked upon as a doctrine of hope. It is
somehow comforting that one should be able to makeup for the errors and mistakes of this life in
another. In ancient societies, and in East Asia, where this doctrine originated, reincarnation is just
the opposite of hope. Having punitive aspects as well as liberating, reincarnation can lead the
wicked soul to "come back" as a lower form of life, such as a dog, a beetle or even a rock!
Reincarnation also has an enslaving aspect in its traditional form. That is to say those born in
poverty, deformity, illness or misfortune are looked down upon and impugned as wicked souls
getting their just desserts.
Sometimes credence is given to reincarnation simply because it is ancient. Even in ancient
time, however, the doctrine wasn't always accepted. Aristotle calls it "absurd." Lucian, an ancient
satirist, jokes about the reembodiments of reincarnation: "I instantly became a king, then a beggar,
a satrap, then a horse, a jackjaw, then a frog, and a thousand other things... Finally I became a
chicken, something I have frequently been."
Christians, however, have always been opposed to the notion of reincarnation. Scripture
says unequivocally: "human beings die only once, after which comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27;
NJB). St. Irenaeus already in the beginning of the second century comments: "Their doctrine [of
reincarnation] is refuted by the fact that the souls no longer recall in any way that which
previously existed. For if they were sent out in order to experience everything, they would also
have to be able to recall what lay in the past, in order to accomplish what was still lacking-
otherwise they would continually strive miserably to do exactly the same things."
Ultimately Christianity has always stood opposed to the notion of reincarnation because of
its view of creation and redemption. As Christoph Schonborn, editor of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church has written: "The fact that man is created with THIS soul and THIS body; that
this spiritual soul has a beginning but receives indestructible life; that this body is destined to
resurrection and thereby to eternal life; that man is summoned to give an answer once and for all
to the call of the Creator- all these are integral elements of this view of man that the Christian
accepts as the revelation of the definitive truth. This vision cannot integrate itself into the belief
in reincarnation..."
"Reincarnation," continues Schonborn, "has no place in Christianity because life in Christ is
its ultimate goal. In Him there is no place for the endless search, from life to life, for a distant
unattainable goal, for a perfection that is not reached in eons. No. Man's search is at an end. What
we could not find through endless rebirths has been given to us. Christ says: 'I shall certainly not
turnaway any one who comes to me.' After this great reunion there is nothing more to be sought,
for what we find in Christ infinitely surpasses all that we had sought and waited for."
Are you perhaps struggling with the notion of reincarnation? Are you looking for the ultimate
meaning in your life? Turn your gaze toward Jesus. He will set you free from all that is enslaving
you. Give your life to Him and He will transform it through the power of His love. Would you like
to know more about the Christian way of life? Call Gilbert Garza at (210) 696-4161 or e-mail at
ggarza @ix.netcom.com
If you would like more information on reincarnation, look for Christoph Schonborn's book; "From
Death to Life" at Ignatius Books.