Fight a good Fight - Resist Temptations, Remain Faithful

Personally, I do experience ups and downs in my christian life.
So when I saw some of my friends turned cold or left the church altogether, I understand the inner challenges they faced.

At the spiritual level, we all experience doubts, temptations, trials and testings. I believe even committed servants of God, those who forsake all, wealth, career, family, to serve Christ wholeheartedly, would experience the same difficulties now and then; and probably in greater intensity since the evil one will target them with vigor.

In 1 Tim 1:18, Paul urged Timothy to "fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience..." My friends and I living in Singapore do not have to physically fight off persecutors and murderers. For us, we have to fight off temptations at the mental or intellectual level. We have our doubts about God, about his existence, providence and provision.

Once a long while, God grant us a miracle and 'lead us across a Red Sea'. But like the Israelites on their way out of Eygpt, we soon forget such red-sea-experiences, and wallow in doubts again. We are born human, even though now the Holy Spirit has come upon us.

There is no easy way out as we live life as christians. Paul exhorted us to fight till the end - and fighting requires stamina, strength, endurance and discipline. It is not going to be easy. Just praying to the Holy Spirit to fight for us will not work. We have to take on the task of fighting ourselves.

Persist. Remain faithful.

Reincarnation - Epilogue: The Mysteries Remain

I have gone through several Rounds in this series of study. Not to drag on and prolong the discussion, I shall close with this Epilogue.

Just as there are many denominations of christianity today, there were many Hebrew sects during the time of Christ. There were the Orthodox, the Pharisees, the Sadducees. Then, there sprout different christian sects too, such as Ebionites, Elkasaites, Nazarites, Essenes. In such diverse backgrounds, there were confusion and differences in their beliefs.

The writers of the Bible scriptures were influenced by the beliefs prevalent at that time. For example, the books of 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jude were heavy on gnostic ideas and concepts (with imageries of angels, 'prisons', hell, etc). At times, the concept of reincarnation was subtly interwoven into the scripture texts. For example:

1 Pet 3:19-21, 2 Pet 2:4-9: Jesus made proclamation to those in 'prison'.
Psalms 107:10-22: What happens in the other world.
Amos 9:2: Bringing the sinners up and down.
James 3:6: 'Wheel of nature'.
Gen 28:12: Angels travelling up and down Heaven.
Matt 5:25-26: How to get out of 'prison'.

So far in this series of study, I have not cited examples of any 'Near-Death Experiences' of christians who claimed that they witnessed 'bright lights, tunnels, and spiritual beings as guides' while travelling out of this world, to support or refute the concept of reincarnation. I have not brought in ideologies from the eastern religions which strongly support the concept of reincarnation. I will leave such investigations and considerations to you, the readers.

In closing, I see no harm in accepting the concept of christian reincarnation.
With reincarnation, our souls could dwell on earth through one or more incarnations, that is, physical rebirths.
With resurrection, in time to come, our souls will 'born again or spiritual rebirth' through Christ, and dwell with the Father.

One day in Heaven, we will know the truth. But while we are on earth, we must hold steadfast to Christ and worship Him. If we draw close to Him, He will surely draw close to us -- even though mysteries remain.

Reincarnation Round 5: Without Reincarnation, we cannot explain parts of the Bible

Some parts of the Bible could only be explained logically using the concept of Reincarnation.

Example 1:

Matt 26:52: Jesus said "All who take the sword will perish by the sword." This statement is not true in one lifetime. Anecdotally, many criminals are not caught and not punished in their lifetime. For this statement to be true, it must stretch over more than one lifetime.

Gal 6:7: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Realistically, this is not true in a single lifetime. Anecdotally, many people do not reap the 'good' that they sow; and many people do not suffer the 'bad' that they sow. Perhaps they would do so in future lifetimes.

This principle of divine justice is consistently mentioned in the Bible. But in real life, we all know that more often than not a man will not "reap he sow".

Example 2:

Mark 10:29-30: Jesus promised that, "...there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children...for my sake and for the gospel's sake, ...he shall receive a hundred times as much NOW IN THE PRESENT AGE, houses, and brothers and sisters and mothers and children...and in the world to come, eternal life."
We all know of christians who had been persecuted and suffered or martyred. They did not receive a hundred times what they had given up for Christ's sake. For this promise to be true, perhaps they will be rewarded in their other lifetimes.

Example 3:

Job 14:14 Job asked and answered himself, "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait, until my change comes." Here Job appeared to say that he was waiting to live again upon his death.

These are just some examples. There are other passages in the Bible that appeared confusing if the concept of reincarnation is totally rejected. (see also 1 Pet 3:18-20, Jude 6 )

So in Round 5 of this series of study, I conclude that the concept of Reincarnation was indeed a christian belief during the time of the apostles, and there is no good reason for us to reject it today.

Reincarnation Round 4: Is Reincarnation against Biblical Teaching?

Some christians feel that the concept of Reincarnation conflicts with the doctrine on Resurrection. Following is one such argument:

"If reincarnation is (or was) a central part of the original Christian gospel, then historic, orthodox Christianity has veered significantly from its original course. Historic Christian orthodoxy has vigorously denied reincarnation for two principal reasons. First, Christianity has taught a doctrine of resurrection: the human soul does not return to earth after death, but is resurrected as an individual personality to face judgment. Second, it has taught that God forgives and extends mercy in the face of human sin and shortcomings. There is no forgiveness and little, if any, mercy connected with the idea of reincarnation. Each soul pays the inevitable price for its own failings and misdeeds, in hundreds or thousands of existences. "

Somehow I am baffled by this view. To me, Reincarnation and Resurrection can co-exist perfectly, without conflict. Christ had promised me that he is my personal saviour, and through Him, I will be resurrected and have everlasting life with the Father. However, if I would like to be reincarnated and live another period on earth, there is nothing wrong with that. It does not go against the fact that, ultimately, I will still be with God the Father.

In Heb 9:27, it says "...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement." Some christians quote this verse to refute reincarnation, which implies more than one lifetime, and hence dying not once, but as many times as the number of lifetimes.

I do not have a good interpretation for this verse. I am puzzled because there are people, notably Enoch and Elijah, who did not die at all. Also Paul died twice. (He went to paradise and returned. See 2 Cor 12:1-4). Perhaps this verse suggests that man, in each lifetime, die once. Upon reincarnation, he is another man, and subject to death again.

So in Round 4 of this study, I could not conclude whether or not reincarnation is advocated in the scriptures. But I honestly do not see a conflict between reincarnation, which is the soul taking on another physical body; and resurrection, which is the soul dwelling in God's kingdom forever ultimately.

Reincarnation Round 3: Jesus promised many people that they will see his 2nd Coming. How?

What Jesus said, must be true. Jesus had promised many people that they would witness His 2nd Coming. How ? These people are all dead !

Episode 1:

In Rev 1:7, it says "Look He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him." How? Perhaps those who pierced Him will be reincarnated in time to watch His 2nd Coming.

Episode 2:

In Matt 24:30-34, it says, "... then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, ... and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds......Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place..." How? Perhaps, the people of 'this generation' died 2,000 years ago, will be reincarnated in time to watch Christ's 2nd Coming.

Episode 3:

In John 21:21-23, it says, "Jesus said to Peter "If I want him (a disciple) to remain until I come (again), what is that to you?..." How can that particular disciple live till Christ's 2nd Coming? Perhaps that particular disciple will be reincarnated at the time of Christ's 2nd Coming.

Episode 4:

In Matt 16:24-28, it says, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.." How? Perhaps 'some of those' would, in their future incarnation, see Christ coming in His kingdom in future.

Episode 5:

This last episode is in the old Testament Ezekiel 11: 17-20. God through prophet Ezekiel told the people that the Israelites would be exiled, but would be gathered as a nation again. "I will gather you from ...the countries you have been scattered, and I shall give you the land of Israel..." How ? All these people died over 2,000 years BEFORE Israel was re-established as a nation in 1948. Perhaps these same people were reincarnated around 1948, to witness the new nation of Israel in 1948.

Hence, there are several incidences in the Bible that could not be explained meaningfully, except using the concept of reincarnation.

So in Round 3 of this series of study, I am inclined to conclude that the Bible is generally NOT AGAINST the idea of christian reincarnation.

Reincarnation Round 2: Jesus DID NOT REFUTE the idea of Reincarnation

During Jesus' time, it is common for people to believe in reincarnation. Jesus did not refute with this belief in the gospel text.

Example One:

In John 9:1-3, Jesus' disciples asked Him whether the blind man was born blind because of sin in his previous lives. "...who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should born blind?" Jesus did not refute the disciples' concept of 'sin-before-birth', or sin in previous lives. But He answered that in this particular case, the man's blindness was to display God's work.

Example Two:

In Matt 16:13, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
The disciples replied that He was regarded as the reincarnation of someone else. "Some say (you are) John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." On hearing this reply, Jesus did not say this concept of reincarnation is fallacious, nor did He refute this concept.

Apparently, in Jesus' time, the people, including the Pharisees, believed in the concept of reincarnation.

So in Round 2 of this series of this study, I conclude that reincarnation had been a common christian belief.

Reincarnation Round 1: Jesus said John the Baptist is Elijah

In the old Testament, Mal 4:5 mentioned that Elijah would come before the coming of Jesus Christ.

In the new Testament, Luk 1:17, the angel told Zacharias that his son (John the Baptist), is the forerunner Jesus Christ. Luk 1:76 says "you child will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways."

In Matt 11:14 and Matt 17:12, Jesus explicitly explained to his disciples that he (John the Baptist) is Elijah.

The prophesy in Mal 4:5 that Elijah must come before Jesus Christ must be fulfilled. Elijah's spirit/soul came in the physical body of John the Baptist. This is an example of reincarnation.

So in Round 1 of this series of study on Christian Reincarnation, I conclude that reincarnation is possible.

Christian Reincarnation - Start

I intend to explore the topic of Reincarnation in the next few blog entries.

I am actually quite puzzled why most christian churches and organisations do not like to discuss this topic openly.

Over the years, as I read the bible, I come across several incidents that touch on this topic.

I understand that in 553AD, the Roman (Empire) Church declared reincarnation teaching as a heresy, but that was done very long ago under very different political and somewhat discomposing situation. There is no harm in re-visiting this topic with the help of biblical text and other records available today.

I will be very happy to read the comments of readers on this subject.

Slain in the Spirit

I just learnt that when someone falls backward during a christian healing service, healing mass, or prayer service, this is known as 'slain in the spirit'.

As far as I know, this phenomenon occurs often, and not restricted to any christian denomination. It happens in catholic, methodist, anglican, pentecostal and most other denominations.

Does this mean that God would manifested Himself, regardless of christian denominations?

I wonder whether the same phenomenon occurs in other religions, such as Islam, too.

Below is the text from wikipedia:

Slain in the Spirit -

Being slain in the Spirit is a term related to the Charismatic movement and Pentecostalism which describes a religious phenomenon in which a person enters a state with loss of all motor control over their body and falls to the floor during an event perceived as a personal encounter with God's glory power, usually associated with occasions of public prayer ministry when the laying on of hands is practiced.
Being slain in the Spirit occurs in many contemporary Charismatic or Pentecostal church meetings. It was also extremely common in early American (late eighteenth-century) Methodism, particularly at camp meetings and love feasts. Many refer to the phenomenon as "falling under the Spirit's power", "falling before the Lord" or "resting in the Spirit".
On occasions of public prayer ministry when the laying on of hands is practiced, church members or attendees come forward to the front of the church to receive a special work of the Holy Spirit from the Pastor or service leader. Often a significant amount of time is spent singing and praying during the church service before this point. Attendees are then prayed over and touched by the service leader, they perceive the Spirit of God upon them, and they fall, usually onto their backs. In most cases, their fall is broken by deacons, catchers, ushers or orderlies behind them to prevent injury.
Many Christians who experience this believe that they have been healed or given a special blessing by God. Others report seeing visions or hearing God's voice although some Christians claim that these experiences have ceased with the death of the apostles.
Whether voluntary or involuntary, "falling before the Lord" as a human response to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is seen by many Pentecostals and Charismatics as a phenomenon that is in harmony with the Scriptures. In the Bible, falling while in the presence of God was at times also accompanied by manifestations of trembling, physical weakness and deep sleep.

No more shark fin soup

My family and I have decided not to buy and consume any shark fin food products from now on. We consider it inhumane to hunt for sharks, slice off their fins and dump the sharks back to sea to die a horrible death.

We have been conditioned to believe that shark fin soup is a chinese delicacy. But really, the shark fin itself is insipid, and the taste of the soup actually comes from other accompanying soup ingredients.

You can do without shark fin soup too.