Karma in Christianity
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Karma is a Sanskrit term that originated in eastern religious traditions. The doctrine of karma looks at sum of all that an individual has done and is currently doing and the effects of those deeds as a whole actively create present and future experiences, thus seeking to make one responsible for one's own life and actions.
The doctrine of Karma is central in dharmic religions: Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. A minority of Christian-based movements - such as Esoteric Christianity, Rosicrucianism and Spiritism - have adopted this doctrine, accepting it as a part of their core beliefs. Most other Christian groups see this as heretical.
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[edit] Karma in the Christian context
Orthodox Christianity teaches that salvation is completely a gift of God's grace in Christ received by faith. From this perspective, to teach a different understanding of salvation is heresy. For most Christians, who emphasize salvation by God's grace (as opposed to human effort), the doctrine of karma sounds similar to the early Christian heresy of pelagianism.
Some of Christians, however, have a different view on this, fully embracing the concepts of Karma and reincarnation. Followers of Esoteric Christianity, Spiritism and others believe that grace of God alone offers humankind the possibility to grow, evolve and stand on its own. To them, Karma is considered a learning tool, through an endless number of repeating opportunities that God eternally gives to everyone. The role of grace, here, is creating the world where this learning can occur, and helping every man and woman meticulously along the way, sometimes even in miraculous events, but carefully as if not to spoil the learning of such children as they grow.
Furthermore, karma is thought by some Jesuit theologians to be consistent with the Catholic doctrine of purgatory.[citation needed] It should be noted however that the accepted Christian canon makes no overt mention of Karma therefore the doctrine of Karma is considered non-Christian in traditional Christian thought.
[edit] Christian teachings and scripture
Christian Scripture does not include the idea of Karma, although some parallels are made, such as in the Golden Rule and as exemplified by the biblical verses: (Which all refer to God, rather than a random chain of cause-and-effect)
- God is not mocked (Rom. 3:8)
- Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Ga. 6:7)
- "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." (Heb. 10:30)
[edit] Grace in Karma
The concept of intervention by grace, very strong in Christianity, is not alien to dharma- and karma-based religions, such as Hinduism, but it is not central; grace rather works by changing the natural karmic flow.
