Do any denominations teach that humans exist before birth?
Upvote:2
A The pre-existence of the soul is a cornerstone of all ideas of reincarnation, so all religions that espouse reincarnation believe in it, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.
Some religions teach pre-existence but not reincanation. That includes Zoroastrianism, some sects of Judaism, especially those that accept the apocrypha and pseudepigrapha. For example, in The Book of Wisdom it says:
As a child I was naturally gifted, and a good soul fell to my lot; or rather, being good, I entered an undefiled body. (Wisdom 8:19,20 NRSV)
The Books of Esdras and Enoch are similarly cited, for example, by Mormons.
The Greek Philosopher Plato taught the idea of the pre-existence of the soul. Some scholars believe this idea influenced later Jewish beliefs, such as the Medieval kabbalists. See: The idea that the soul is the human instrument of spirituality became more prominent over the course of Jewish history.
The only thing that all Christians would agree on is the pre-existence of Jesus' soul. This article gives a summary for many denominations: Compare Religions: Pre-Mortal Existence of Man
These denominations affirm belief in pre-existence:
- Christian Science
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
These denominations have no formal statement and leave it up to the individual:
- Disciple of Christ
- Presbyterian
- Quakers
- United Church of Christ
Some Early church fathers believed in the pre-existence of souls, such as Origen of Alexandria, a neo-platonist. For additional discussion of that topic, see: Did any other early church fathers besides Origen teach the pre-existence of souls?
Upvote:3
To my knowledge there are no Christian denominations that teach the pre-existence of humans except (as Daniel Stein has pointed out) the Latter-Day Saints (Mormons).
Every denomination apart from them teaches that humans begin to exist at conception (which is technically before birth but I assume the question wasn't about that), and become human at conception or some time between conception and birth. That certainly applies to Catholic, Orthodox and all Protestant groups that I am aware of.
There are many scriptures that testify to the continued existence of people after death, but none of the mainstream scriptures teach of existence before conception. Jeremiah 1:5, which could be taken like that, is taken to mean that God foreknows of a person's existence - i.e. God knows of their existence before it happens.
Upvote:7
I'm not sure if you'd include Mormonism as a Christian denomination, but the Mormon church definitely believes this. They believe that people were "Heavenly Father's" spirit children in heaven, who are now in the flesh on earth: Spirit Children of Heavenly Parents.
More post
- 📝 What exactly was the earliest start time of a Catholic mass before 1957? - What means aurora?
- 📝 What is this (presumably Catholic) uniform?
- 📝 According to Reformed Theology, why did the 70 Jewish translators include the Apocrypha?
- 📝 Why does Justin Martyr say that those who are unworthy of seeing God will become imprisoned in animal bodies?
- 📝 Can a Catholic be denied communion for the way they want to receive Communion?
- 📝 Who was the Christian missionary who helped reform English Missions?
- 📝 To what extent does mainstream Christian doctrine teach that knowing a spirit's name gives you power over it?
- 📝 Actual days taken from Maundy Thursday to Crucifixion
- 📝 Are there any specific rules on everyday life at all in Christianity?
- 📝 Do Christians believe the gospels were written by some of 12 apostles?
- 📝 When did the Lion of the tribe of Judah take the book from the One sitting on the throne?
- 📝 In Luke 1:67, was Zechariah filled with the Holy Ghost as the Apostles were in the book of Acts?
- 📝 How can Luke 9:49–50 be reconciled with the idea that Christ is the only way?
- 📝 Did the Gnostics have apostolic succession?
- 📝 When was the festival of the see of Peter in the 6th Century?
- 📝 Is there an established concensus meaning of Vicarious Atonement?
- 📝 Exactly what does “to love” mean for the Catholic Church?
- 📝 Calvinism: How does Limited Atonement Work in View of the Universality of Christ's Work?
- 📝 What theological teachings of Watchman Nee, Witness Lee, and the Local Churches differ from Reformed Theology
- 📝 Introduction to Greek Texts; Byzantine vs. Alexandrian
- 📝 Do Roman Catholics really venerate Icons and Holy Scripture equally?
- 📝 What denominations believe that a Book of Acts style of interaction with the Holy Spirit is still possible today?
- 📝 Comparison of church services between Church of Ireland and the Catholic Church
- 📝 Did Judas play an important role for God’s salvation?
- 📝 Is illegal downloading a sin?
- 📝 Where did all the water come from and go during the flood?
- 📝 According to Catholicism, if someone receives last rites, is everything forgiven?
- 📝 According to proponents of creationism and intelligent design, are we clueless about the origin of life? James Tour vs. Dave Farina
- 📝 Did any Jesuit opponents of early Jansenism argue that Augustine was wrong on any points?
- 📝 Is the statement "That heretics be burned is against the will of the Spirit." still a statement which is against Catholic truth?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Do any denominations teach that humans exist before birth?
- 📝 Is there any evidence that people of Jewish descent came to the Americas before the birth of Christ Jesus
- 📝 Do any denominations teach that Moses was talking with three distinct beings in the burning bush?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that teach a Hell that is not a place?
- 📝 Are there any Christian groups or denominations that teach how to discern between Godly, demonic and psychological experiences?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that teach Adam and Eve did not have the opportunity to be saved?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that teach their members how to hear God's voice better, as exemplified by the Apostles in Scripture?
- 📝 Do any denominations teach that angels have, or do not have, free will?
- 📝 Do any denominations teach that the Pope is an antichrist?
- 📝 Is there any tradition that informs us of how old Mary was when she gave birth to Jesus?
- 📝 Are there any Christian denominations that consider LDS (Mormons) to be Christians?
- 📝 Do any denominations have official doctrine regarding humans on other planets?
- 📝 Are there any Christian denominations that don't believe Jesus is the only way to salvation?
- 📝 Are there any Christian denominations that deny the existence of an afterlife?
- 📝 Do any trinitarian Protestant traditions teach that anyone who denies the Trinity is necessarily unsaved?
- 📝 Are there any Protestant denominations or churches that reject penal substitution?
- 📝 Did any groups or noted theologians in early Christian history teach that the Holy Spirit is matriarchal?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis that Noah died just before the birth of Abraham?
- 📝 Do any other denominations agree with the Jehovah Witnesses that Satan was cast to earth in 1914?
- 📝 Are there any major Protestant denominations that meet every day and are together all the time like the early church was?
- 📝 Are there any Christian denominations that believe in sex and marriage in the afterlife?
- 📝 Does the Catholic Church teach that some who died before Christ are still in Limbo? Why?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that give official advice on how to handle the uncertainty in their doctrines?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that baptize ONLY in the Name of Jesus?
- 📝 Are there any Christian denominations that reject some of the gospels in the New Testament?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that do not require pastors to be college educated?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that give official advice on how to win atheists for Christ who are very strong in philosophy, logic and skepticism?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that defend their doctrines by appealing to extra-biblical evidence from the 1st/2nd century of the early Church?
- 📝 Do any Protestant groups teach that Paul founded the Church and not Peter?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that accept the gap theory?