Do Christians believe in reincarnation? I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve heard someone say, “I must have been xxx in another life.” Or “In my previous life I was xxx.” How about “I hope I come back as xxx.”
If they’re Christians, they’re most likely saying it in jest.
There was even a sitcom, “My Mother the Car,” back in 1965 about a lawyer who was obsessed with a used car. He buys the car and later realizes it’s the reincarnation of his mother.
From what I remember of the few episodes I saw, it was pretty comical. It was also purely fiction.
“All of Me,” a hilarious comedy movie from 1984 starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin also made fun of reincarnation. Tomlin’s character dies and her soul transmigrates over and over into different people with humorous results.
In my opinion, both the TV show and the movie poked fun at the concept of reincarnation, whether they meant to or not.
What Is Reincarnation and Should Christians Believe?
Reincarnation is believed to be when a person passes away, their soul comes back or is reborn on earth in another form.
The concept is that souls don’t go to heaven or hell after their bodies die, but that they’re transmigrated into a new being.
Some believe the next life will be better or they’ll come back as an animal instead of another person.
The reincarnation cycle is believed to be repeated over and over until the soul reaches some sort of Nirvana, at which point, the cycle ends and the soul is at peace.
Let’s look at why this concept is a problem for Christians who believe the Bible is absolutely God’s Word.
The Bible Defies Reincarnation
Psalm 78:39 “For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again.“
Hebrews 9:27-28 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Now, when He appears the second time, it is not because He was reincarnated. It’s because He was resurrected from death, rose to Heaven and will return – as the same God – at the Rapture.
So Does Christianity Believe in Rebirth?
Christianity doesn’t believe in reincarnation as some other religions do, but it does teach about rebirth—spiritual rebirth, to be exact. This concept is rooted in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:3, where He says:
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
This isn’t about being physically born again but about a transformation of the heart and soul through faith in Christ. Christians believe that this rebirth happens when a person accepts Jesus as their Savior, leading to a new life that’s guided by the Holy Spirit and focused on God’s purpose. It’s not about returning to earth in another form, but about being made new in this life and preparing for eternal life with God.
There are no “do-overs.” When you’re gone, you’re in one of two places: Heaven or Hell. You make the decision while you are alive about where your soul goes after your death.
If you believe and accept God as your Savior here on earth, your soul lives eternally with Him after your body passes away.
Why in the world would you want to come back to such a place as earth when Heaven holds the ultimate healing?
God may have a sense of humor, but He would never put His children through the pain and agony of living an earthly life over and over. That would just be cruel.
Do Christians believe in reincarnation? I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve heard someone say, “I must have been xxx in another life.” Or “In my previous life I was xxx.” How about “I hope I come back as xxx.”
If they’re Christians, they’re most likely saying it in jest.
There was even a sitcom, “My Mother the Car,” back in 1965 about a lawyer who was obsessed with a used car. He buys the car and later realizes it’s the reincarnation of his mother.
From what I remember of the few episodes I saw, it was pretty comical. It was also purely fiction.
“All of Me,” a hilarious comedy movie from 1984 starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin also made fun of reincarnation. Tomlin’s character dies and her soul transmigrates over and over into different people with humorous results.
In my opinion, both the TV show and the movie poked fun at the concept of reincarnation, whether they meant to or not.
What Is Reincarnation and Should Christians Believe?
Reincarnation is believed to be when a person passes away, their soul comes back or is reborn on earth in another form.
The concept is that souls don’t go to heaven or hell after their bodies die, but that they’re transmigrated into a new being.
Some believe the next life will be better or they’ll come back as an animal instead of another person.
The reincarnation cycle is believed to be repeated over and over until the soul reaches some sort of Nirvana, at which point, the cycle ends and the soul is at peace.
Let’s look at why this concept is a problem for Christians who believe the Bible is absolutely God’s Word.
The Bible Defies Reincarnation
Psalm 78:39 “For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again.“
Hebrews 9:27-28 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Now, when He appears the second time, it is not because He was reincarnated. It’s because He was resurrected from death, rose to Heaven and will return – as the same God – at the Rapture.
So Does Christianity Believe in Rebirth?
Christianity doesn’t believe in reincarnation as some other religions do, but it does teach about rebirth—spiritual rebirth, to be exact. This concept is rooted in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:3, where He says:
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
This isn’t about being physically born again but about a transformation of the heart and soul through faith in Christ. Christians believe that this rebirth happens when a person accepts Jesus as their Savior, leading to a new life that’s guided by the Holy Spirit and focused on God’s purpose. It’s not about returning to earth in another form, but about being made new in this life and preparing for eternal life with God.
There are no “do-overs.” When you’re gone, you’re in one of two places: Heaven or Hell. You make the decision while you are alive about where your soul goes after your death.
If you believe and accept God as your Savior here on earth, your soul lives eternally with Him after your body passes away.
Why in the world would you want to come back to such a place as earth when Heaven holds the ultimate healing?
God may have a sense of humor, but He would never put His children through the pain and agony of living an earthly life over and over. That would just be cruel.
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