Reincarnation – an original Christian doctrine

48 b) it destroys the original rhythm of the verse and c) “once” in Verse 27 stands and falls with “once” in Verse 28. The probable original text may have been: (27): “For as long as people are destined to die and after that be judged by God, (28): Christ will appear to those waiting for him to bring salvation (through faith).” 56 Those that reject this form of improvement as being incorrect may undertake the following contemplation: 1. Are these improvement to the translation literally speaking wrong? 2. Does the text from Hebrews 9, 27-28 actually fit within the overall text? (The only coherence here is the concept of “sin”, mentioned once in Verse 26 and twice in Verse 28). 3) If the other passages cited from the Bible are exact, can one single passage – naturally always cited by opponents of the doctrine of reincarnation – constitute genuine evidence against it? If the result applies, the improved text within the Letter to the Hebrews does not constitute biblical evidence against reincarnation, but in a way rather more indirect evidence for reincarnation. What is the meaning of this revised text? People are destined to die and this indeed over again after every new terrestrial life (“how long…”), until all karmic encumbrances are dissolved and the soul is in possession of its absolute purity. Every demise is followed by a court of law where the future path of every individual soul is determined. The balance sheet might often suggest a new birth in the flesh, a reincarnation, as the appropriate action. No matter “how long” this process continues, Christ will appear to those faithfully waiting for him. Once the soul has been purified, it will be removed from the Wheel of Rebirth and it will find permanent access to an unadulterated heaven. The fact that the doctrine of reincarnation was seen as reasonably acceptable in the highest circles within the Catholic Church in the 20 th Century becomes apparent from a statement made by the Cardinal Prima of Belgium, Désiré Mercier 57 who writes in his work “Psychology” : “The denotations of reincarnation, metempsychosis or transmigration of the soul can connote various things: Either a series of repetitions of one’s life under twofold conditions whereby the soul retains the consciousness of its personality and where an end to the series of journeys is in sight, or a series of repetitions of one’s life without an end, but with the proviso that the soul retains the consciousness of its personality, or finally an unlimited series of existences, but with the loss of consciousness of one’s personal identity.” In regards to the first assumption, we cannot see that common sense, left to its own devises, can see this as impossible or with certainty declare it as false.” 58 56 In the codices AP (see Nestle-Aland, see P. 576) one finds an addition at the end of Hebrews 9, 28: “Through faith”. 57 Désiré Mercier, (1851-1926) Theologian, Philosopher, 1882 teacher at the University of Leuven, 1907, Cardinal, Prima of Belgium, theologically, socio-politically and culturally active. 58 Cited according to Wachsmuth, see P. 7 (Volume II Psychology of Mercier, where this passage is found, but in contrast to Volume I where it isn’t found.)