The Argument over Reincarnation in Early Christianity
Historia: the Alpha Rho Papers
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| Historia: the Alpha Rho Papers
7 Origen was born into a Christian household and was taught Christian beliefs from birth. 18 He was influenced by the ideas of Plato because of where he grew up. Despite being raised in Alexandria, his spiritual education was Christian in nature from the beginning and not completely based upon Greek philosophy. Yet he still struggled to decide for himself whether or not the idea of reincarnation was true. Origen’s internal conflict shows how relevant the argument of reincarnation was during early Christianity despite its lack of prevalence in today’s Christian churches. Reincarnation was rejected by the Christian Church despite the several arguments for it, and there were more Christians that did not believe in reincarnation at this time then Christians those who did. The works of those early Christian theologians who did not believe in reincarnation have survived much better over the years than the works of Christians who did believe in reincarnation. One such Christian individual who lived during the time of early Christianity and did not believe in reincarnation is Saint Justin Martyr, who was born just north of Jerusalem and lived from 103-165 A.D. He was taught in Greek philosophy during his youth and converted to Christianity later in his life. 19 Justin is the first post-apostolic author that still has a considerable amount of work available to study, therefore the doctrines and ideas found within his writings are of extreme importance in understanding the Christian Church’s beliefs during the first few centuries. 20 When he became a Christian Justin’s beliefs moved for the most part away from Platonism and he did not hesitate to criticize Plato’s ideas in his writings. Justin’s Dialogue with Trypho is the record of a debate, or conversation, between Justin Martyr and a Jewish man named Trypho and contains several instances of Justin expressing negative opinions on Plato’s ideas: 18 Segal, Life After Death, 572-74. 19 Barnard, L.W. Justin Martyr: His Life and Thought. (London: Cambridge University Press, 1967) 33. 20 Barnard, Justin Martyr, 34-35. |