African Christians' attitude to African traditional belief in rebirth (reincarnation): a critique

Abstract

While Christianity does not in any way support the concept of rebirth (re-incarnation), the concept of reincarnation remains a very controversial theme among African Christians owing to some beliefs carried over from African traditional (indigenous) religion to the Christian faith. This article attempts a critical evaluation of this concept in the light of Christian Scripture, natural science and alleged instances of historical evidence in the Africa milieu. The work is a socio-historical study. Data were collected by library research method and oral interview. The research brings to the fore the notion that most of the alleged grounds for rebirth in the claims of some African Christians were founded on weak evidence. The article points out that the reality of rebirth (reincarnation) is only affirmable in the case of child wandering-spirits, who of course are of metaphysical existence rather than being normal human beings. While affirming the global Christian tradition that rejects the belief in actual rebirth, the work concludes with a call on African Christians to adhere strictly to the Bible in matters of faith and practices; and to discard every belief that finds no clear support in the Christian Scripture which is the ultimate guide to spiritual truths.