Expert on the Bible, Jimmy Akin, discusses the lack of credibility of the claim that the Council of Nicaea removed passages about reincarnation from the Bible. The theory is debunked due to lack of evidence, reverence for scripture, impracticality of physically removing passages, absence of theological debate, and focus on resurrection in Christianity.
The claim that reincarnation was taught in the Bible and removed by the Council of Nicaea is not credible.
The concept of resurrection is central to Christian belief, and there is no evidence to support the idea that the early Church taught or supported belief in reincarnation.
Deep dives
Reincarnation was not discussed or removed from the Bible at the Council of Nicaea
The claim that reincarnation was taught in the Bible but removed by the Council of Nicaea is not credible. The surviving records and writings of the first and second Councils of Nicaea give no indication that the topic of reincarnation was discussed or that any passages were intentionally removed from the Bible. The fathers of these councils regarded scripture as the inspired word of God and would not have considered cutting any passages out. Even if they had wanted to, the logistical challenge of physically removing passages from the numerous copies of scripture in circulation would have been impossible. Furthermore, any attempt to remove such passages would have caused a significant uproar among ordinary Christians who valued the scriptures as God's word.
Christianity teaches resurrection, not reincarnation
The Christian understanding of the afterlife is centered on resurrection, exemplified by the resurrection of Jesus. This belief, confirmed in passages like 1 Corinthians 15:1-49, emphasizes that Christians will be resurrected like Jesus, not reincarnated. The concept of resurrection was deeply ingrained in early Christian theology, and there is no evidence to support the idea that the early Church taught or supported belief in reincarnation. The focus on resurrection, rather than reincarnation, can be traced to the apostolic teachings and the importance given to Jesus' resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith.
DAY 340
CHALLENGE
“The Bible originally taught reincarnation, but the relevant passages were struck out by the Council of Nicaea.”
DEFENSE
This claim is not credible for numerous reasons.
First, the surviving records of the First Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) and the Second Council of Nicaea (A.D. 787), as well as the writings of those who took part in them, give no indication the topic of reincarnation was even discussed, much less was anything as dramatic as taking passages out of the Bible contemplated.
Second, the fathers of these councils regarded Scripture as the inspired word of …
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