Reincarnation and Orthodoxy - what can these concepts, so far from each other, have in common? If you enter the query "Orthodoxy and Reincarnation" in the Internet search line, then as a result the search engine will give us various videos, in one of which an Orthodox priest gives answers to questions from listeners who have phoned the studio. And to the question “about the existence of the concept of“reincarnation”in many religions,” a sharp and categorical “no” answers, arguing that this concept is young and practically does not occur in world religions. But is it really so? Maybe he's wrong?
Transmigration of souls is recognized by various Eastern religions. Recognized by the Eskimos, North American Indians, Gnostics, Kabbalists, esoteric Christians. The concept of reincarnation is found in Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and Zen. Among the Jews, the idea of transmigration of souls is called "ilgul" and is popular among Ashkenazi Jews. There are three types of reincarnation in Islam: reincarnation of a saint or prophet; return after death to Earth of the imam; rebirth of the soul of an ordinary person - they all even have their own specific terms. And in Muslim theological literature, those professing a belief in the transmigration of souls are called tanasuhits. In addition, the idea of reincarnation was adopted by ancient Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras, Plato, and Socrates. The modern philosophical and religious movements also recognize the reincarnation: American Transcendentalism, Theosophy,modern Neopaganism and the New Age movement.
Modern Orthodoxy's denial of the soul's rebirth from the outside looks strange. There is no structured idea of reincarnation in the Bible, but at the same time there is no denial of it. Although it is known that in early Christianity, before 553 (the date when the Fifth Ecumenical Council was held), a concept close to reincarnation, namely, "the pre-existence of human souls", was present. Origen Adamati, the Greek Christian theologian, the founder of biblical philology, the author of the colossal volume of work “Hexal”, written according to the Old Testament, wrote the following words: “Those dying here as an ordinary death are distributed on the basis of the deeds performed here, so that those who are recognized as worthy of the so-called hellish country get different places according to their sins. Also, maybe those who, so to speak, die there (in heaven), descend into this hell,recognized as worthy to dwell in various, better or worse, dwellings throughout the entire earthly space and to be born of such or other parents. So an Israelite may someday be among the Scythians, and an Egyptian - go to Judea."
Reincarnation was part of the philosopher Philo's worldview, and he investigated it in detail. He wrote: "Those [souls] that succumb to the desire of mortal life return to it again." But Philo had a significant impact on the development of Christianity, and in modern Orthodoxy he is a revered person.
In the Old Testament, the idea of reincarnation occurs more than once. For example, in the book "Ecclesiastes" (41: 9) Solomon says: "Woe to you, godless ones who have rejected the law of the Supreme Lord! For when you are born, you will be born to be cursed. " Probably, with these words Solomon confirms the possibility of another birth for man. The Old Testament ends with the following words: “Behold, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the coming of the day of the Lord, great and terrible” (Mal. 4: 5). And then, already in the New Testament, this prophecy is fulfilled when Jesus, after the beheading of John the Baptist (who, in fact, was his predecessor, and with whose participation the messianic destiny of Jesus was publicly witnessed), talks with his disciples, and they ask him: “How do the scribes saythat Elijah must come first? Jesus answered them: “True, Elijah must come first and arrange everything. But I tell you that Elijah had already come, and they did not recognize him, but did with him as they wanted; so the Son of man will suffer from them. " Then the disciples understood that He was talking to them about John the Baptist”(Matthew 17: 1013). But Orthodoxy stubbornly refuses to accept these facts.
The main idea of modern Orthodoxy is that Jesus on Calvary has already saved all people from sins, and those who believe in this will be granted eternal life in paradise. Eternal life in the Garden of Eden or eternal torment in Hell, both after the expiration of this earthly life. Is this transition from one form of existence to another also a projection of reincarnation? Or maybe Jesus Christ by his resurrection also showed people that after death life continues again?
Promotional video:
One of the main actions that the modern Orthodox Church performs is permission, that is, the forgiveness of sins, to a person who has repented. If Orthodoxy openly recognizes the idea of reincarnation, then this action will not make sense either. After all, the very idea of rebirth for a person who is on the path of spiritual development is nothing more than a long path of evolution of the Soul. The soul itself is responsible for correcting the mistakes it has made. She does not need to be forgiven her sins: she perfectly understands that she will reap only what she herself sows. From life to life, gaining experience, it improves and approaches the Almighty. The Gospel of Matthew says: "Therefore, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). And judge for yourself, how can a loving God, the Father of all people, give his children just one chance,in the form of such a short and only life?
Author: Maria Nesmeyanova