Stephen asked:

I am interested in the theory of reincarnation and would like to find some info that is not
sensationalized. Being a Christian (although not the televangelist fundamentalist type) I am at odds
with my fellow believers on this subject. Is there any truth that reincarnation was a biblical teaching or
at least hinted at before the Councils of Nicea etc, removed it?

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Early Christians believed in reincarnation. A page dedicated to scriptural support for reincarnation can
be found at http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen3.html). Reference to reincarnation can
certainly be found in the writings of the church fathers (e.g. Origen's De Principalis). Origen got the
idea from the pre-Socratic philosophers Empedocles and Pythagoras, and it is a Platonic doctrine
which with a number of other ideas from Plato was absorbed into Christianity (see my answer to
Bernadette).

Reincarnation was officially banned by Justinian in the 6th Century. This was a long time after the
Council of Nicea, although from 325 the doctrine was no longer official. Although many of Origen's
ideas were declared heretical, his ideas were held to by certain mystical groups (e.g. the European
sect known as the Cathars) into the 13th century until they were destroyed by the Pope and the
ensuing Spanish Inquisition.

Early Christianity befell the same troubles as befall many other young movements whose original
leaders are gone: some ideas were kept, some ideas were lost according to practicality and the
choices of men. Reincarnation is not inconsistent with any saying that can be attributed to Christ,
whatever attitudes have been taken to it since by the church.

Adam Gatward