The notion of reincarnation—the belief that our souls are reborn into new bodies after death—has been associated with Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism for millennia. But what if I told you that the concept of reincarnation may have had a far deeper influence on early Christianity than we’ve ever been led to believe? Could Jesus himself have taught reincarnation? Could the early Christian texts we know—and those we don’t—contain evidence of such a belief?
The shocking reality may be that early Christian writings, including Gnostic texts, may not only suggest that reincarnation was a concept in the early Christian worldview but also that ancient mystery cults, which espoused ideas of soul transmigration, had a significant influence on Christian thought.
Let’s dive into the evidence, focusing on the influence of ancient mystery cults like Orphism, Pythagoreanism, the Cult of Dionysus, and the Cult of Isis, and whether reincarnation played a hidden role in early Christianity.
The Influence of Mystery Cults on Early Christianity
First, we must consider the cultural and religious environment in which early Christianity developed. During the time of Jesus and the early Church, the Mediterranean world was teeming with the influence of ancient mystery cults—religious groups that practiced secret rituals and offered esoteric knowledge. Many of these cults were centered on the themes of spiritual rebirth, purification, and even reincarnation. Some of the most prominent mystery cults that may have shaped early Christian thought included Orphism, Pythagoreanism, the Cult of Dionysus, and the Cult of Isis.
These mystery cults were practiced during the time of Jesus’ life and during the writings of early Christian texts, making it entirely plausible that their beliefs might have influenced early Christian mysticism and esoteric Christianity.
1. Orphism
The Orphic cults, named after the mythical poet and prophet Orpheus, were one of the earliest Greek mystery cults. They believed in the immortality of the soul and its eventual rebirth into different bodies—what we today call reincarnation. Orphic thought was widespread during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, but by the time of Jesus, it had remained an influential belief system in the Greek-speaking world.
Orphic teachings had a profound focus on purification and the soul’s journey toward ultimate reunion with the divine. Souls were believed to undergo multiple lifetimes, progressively shedding impurities until they could escape the cycle of reincarnation and return to the divine source. This cyclical idea of spiritual rebirth was not only central to Orphism but shared with other mystery traditions of the time.
2. Pythagoreanism
Pythagoras, the renowned mathematician and philosopher, is best known for his work in geometry and music, but his followers also believed in metempsychosis, or the transmigration of souls—essentially, reincarnation. Pythagoreanism was practiced widely in the ancient Mediterranean during Jesus’ time, and its influence on the intellectual world cannot be underestimated. The Pythagoreans believed that the soul, after death, would be reborn into another body, and this cycle could continue until the soul reached a state of purity and ascended to a divine realm.
As Christianity took root, the Pythagorean influence on early Christian thought was palpable, especially in the mystical and philosophical undercurrents of early Christianity. Early Christian thinkers, particularly those who were influenced by Greek philosophy, may have encountered Pythagorean ideas about the soul’s evolution through multiple lifetimes, contributing to the development of Gnostic thought.
3. The Cult of Dionysus
The Cult of Dionysus, centered around the Greek god of wine, ecstasy, and rebirth, offered its followers a form of spiritual renewal through death and resurrection. The Dionysian mysteries involved ecstatic rituals and a belief in the rebirth of the soul, not unlike reincarnation. Followers believed that through participation in these rites, they could be spiritually purified and reborn.
The influence of Dionysian themes can be seen in early Christian theology, especially in the notions of spiritual rebirth and resurrection. Given the overlap between early Christian ideas of resurrection and Dionysian practices of spiritual renewal, it’s plausible that early Christians who were familiar with these mystery cults might have been inclined to adopt or reinterpret Dionysian beliefs within their own spiritual framework.
4. The Cult of Isis
Isis, the Egyptian goddess of life, death, and resurrection, was revered across the Roman Empire, and her followers believed in the immortality of the soul and its cyclical nature. The Cult of Isis taught that souls could reincarnate and purify themselves through a series of spiritual trials, with the ultimate goal of achieving divine reunion.
Given that early Christianity spread in the Roman Empire, and considering how closely the Cult of Isis was linked to ideas of death, resurrection, and spiritual purification, it is possible that some early Christians were influenced by these teachings. The notion that the soul’s journey might involve multiple lifetimes or forms of spiritual purification is echoed in some early Christian and Gnostic writings, indicating the possible interplay between Isis worship and nascent Christian ideas of the soul’s destiny.
Reincarnation in Early Christian Texts
Now that we’ve established that mystery cults such as Orphism, Pythagoreanism, and the Cults of Dionysus and Isis were actively practiced during the time of Jesus and the formation of early Christian texts, we can begin to investigate whether any early Christian writings include ideas of reincarnation.
The Gospel of Thomas
One of the most fascinating texts in this regard is the Gospel of Thomas, a Gnostic gospel that was discovered in 1945 at Nag Hammadi. This collection of sayings attributed to Jesus contains teachings that are sometimes radically different from those found in the canonical Gospels. Some scholars suggest that Saying 50 from the Gospel of Thomas might hint at a belief in reincarnation:
“If you make the two one, and if you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside… then you will enter the kingdom.”
This saying suggests a spiritual transformation, but it could also be interpreted as an allegory for escaping the cycle of reincarnation, where the inner and outer selves must be unified in order to break free from rebirth. The Gospel of Thomas, in general, presents a mystical Christianity that may have been open to the idea of reincarnation—an idea that was central to many mystery cults.
The Pistis Sophia
The Pistis Sophia, a Gnostic text, provides further evidence for reincarnation within early Christian thought. The text describes the journey of the soul through various realms and stages of purification. Souls are reincarnated multiple times, with each life offering an opportunity for spiritual advancement. The Pistis Sophia’s portrayal of the soul’s journey mirrors the reincarnation beliefs of mystery cults, where the soul progresses through multiple lifetimes before achieving divine enlightenment.
The Apocryphon of John (Secret Book of John)
The Apocryphon of John is another Gnostic text that describes the soul’s journey through several cycles of life and death, emphasizing the soul’s purification and spiritual ascent. Like other Gnostic writings, it suggests that reincarnation, or the soul’s cyclical existence, was a significant part of the spiritual framework for early Christians in certain sects.
The Gospel of Philip
In the Gospel of Philip, another key Gnostic work, there is a focus on spiritual rebirth, which could be interpreted as reincarnation. The text states:
“The world is a tomb, and it is only through resurrection that one escapes it.”
This suggests a transformation that might not be limited to one life but could be a continual process, echoing the cyclical nature of reincarnation.
Reincarnation in Early Christianity—A Hidden Legacy
So, did Jesus teach reincarnation? While the canonical Gospels remain silent on the matter, the influence of mystery cults such as Orphism, Pythagoreanism, the Cult of Dionysus, and the Cult of Isis—practiced during Jesus’ time—cannot be ignored. The Gnostic texts that emerged in the early centuries of Christianity, like the Gospel of Thomas, the Pistis Sophia, and the Apocryphon of John, suggest that some early Christians believed in the transmigration of souls and the idea that reincarnation was part of the soul’s spiritual journey.
Reincarnation, therefore, may have been part of early Christianity—possibly suppressed as the Church developed its orthodox doctrines. Yet, the echoes of reincarnation in the writings of early Christians show that this belief was not foreign to the first followers of Christ.
The mystery cults practiced at the time of Jesus, with their teachings of spiritual evolution and rebirth, may have helped shape the early Christian mysticism that allowed for such radical ideas.
Sources:
- The Gospel of Thomas (Nag Hammadi Library)
- The Pistis Sophia (Gnostic Texts)
- The Apocryphon of John (Gnostic Texts)
- The Gospel of Philip (Gnostic Texts)
- The Influence of Mystery Cults on Early Christianity by J.R. Porter
- The Gnostics: Ancient Faith or Heresy? by Elaine Pagels
- Reincarnation in Early Christian Thought by Robert M. Price