Karma and Reaping What You Sow
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_AARONDISNEY
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Karma and Reaping What You Sow
I was just wondering. What are some of the things that distinguish the teaching of Paul in the book of Galatians, that you reap what you sow....and the Buddhist teaching of Karma?
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Aaron,
I found this question interesting as I had just read an article in the Christian Research Journal that discussed what karma was in light of its origins and usages with reincarnation and the Hindu worldview.
By the way, its connected with Hinduism.
I am going to put together a response, but I won't have the time for a couple of days.
BBL
Dave
I found this question interesting as I had just read an article in the Christian Research Journal that discussed what karma was in light of its origins and usages with reincarnation and the Hindu worldview.
By the way, its connected with Hinduism.
I am going to put together a response, but I won't have the time for a couple of days.
BBL
Dave
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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_AARONDISNEY
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:39 pm
- Location: southernINDIANA
Yeah, Dave. More specifically - verse 7
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
It seems as though karma says that if you do what's right, you'll get right done to you. If you do wrong - you will be done wrong. I guess Paul is saying that if you sow to the Spirit you'll reap life, if you sow to the flesh, you'll reap corruption.
I suppose that the karma idea is more of a self serving kind of thing. More like the golden rule in reverse....if you do good unto others, you'll have good done unto you!
But the reaping and sowing is more along the lines of working in God's will. Seeking a harvest....be it of souls saved, people delivered, answers to prayer...
Do you think I'm getting on the right track here?
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
It seems as though karma says that if you do what's right, you'll get right done to you. If you do wrong - you will be done wrong. I guess Paul is saying that if you sow to the Spirit you'll reap life, if you sow to the flesh, you'll reap corruption.
I suppose that the karma idea is more of a self serving kind of thing. More like the golden rule in reverse....if you do good unto others, you'll have good done unto you!
But the reaping and sowing is more along the lines of working in God's will. Seeking a harvest....be it of souls saved, people delivered, answers to prayer...
Do you think I'm getting on the right track here?
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Here is John Stott's description of sowing to the flesh. i just happened to read this yesterday:
To "sow to the flesh" is to pander to it, to cosset, cuddle and stroke it, instead of crucifying it. The seeds we sow are largely thoughts and deeds. Every time we allow our mind to harbor a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure fantasy, or wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh. Every time we linger in bad company whose insidious influence we know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature, every time we take a risk that strains our self-control, we are sowing, sowing, sowing to the flesh.
Commentary on Galatians
TK
To "sow to the flesh" is to pander to it, to cosset, cuddle and stroke it, instead of crucifying it. The seeds we sow are largely thoughts and deeds. Every time we allow our mind to harbor a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure fantasy, or wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh. Every time we linger in bad company whose insidious influence we know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature, every time we take a risk that strains our self-control, we are sowing, sowing, sowing to the flesh.
Commentary on Galatians
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)
My understanding of Karma is that "everything" people face in (the current) life, whether good or bad, are the results of what was done in a previous life. In Eastern thought there is no cause-and-effect that directly corresponds to what people do or don't do in their present lifetime; if a person does good now, they will be rewarded in their next life; it will be "better" life (and vice versa, if they do bad...a "worse" life). With regard to past lives and the present: The doctrine of Karma teaches people are now (in the current lifetime) "reaping" the good and the bad they "sowed" (did) in their past lives.
Since the Bible teaches we only live once; it also teaches we "reap what we sow" by getting the results (just rewards) during this lifetime for what we do (whether good or bad). But, yet, the Bible teaches we will also be judged (justly rewarded) once after death for everything we have done in our entire lives.
Christianity's teaching on "sowing and reaping" is about what we do in this life and the resulting just rewards we also get for our actions while still alive, (which is not taught in Hinduism or Buddhism).
I like the idea of PRESENT (and future) rewards, myself. This is one among many reasons I am a Christian! It is a life worth living with many, many present and eternal rewards, Amen!
Make any sense? ............................Thanx, Rick
Since the Bible teaches we only live once; it also teaches we "reap what we sow" by getting the results (just rewards) during this lifetime for what we do (whether good or bad). But, yet, the Bible teaches we will also be judged (justly rewarded) once after death for everything we have done in our entire lives.
Christianity's teaching on "sowing and reaping" is about what we do in this life and the resulting just rewards we also get for our actions while still alive, (which is not taught in Hinduism or Buddhism).
I like the idea of PRESENT (and future) rewards, myself. This is one among many reasons I am a Christian! It is a life worth living with many, many present and eternal rewards, Amen!
Make any sense? ............................Thanx, Rick
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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“In Jesus Christ God ordained life for man, but death for himself” -- Karl Barth
Aaron, I like what you said here; I think you are on the right track. I'd also add that the idea of Karma seems to be that you can look at a person's circumstances and judge whether they've done good or bad. It seems to me that the rewards of sowing to the spirit have nothing to do with circumstances, but are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.AARONDISNEY wrote:Yeah, Dave. More specifically - verse 7
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
It seems as though karma says that if you do what's right, you'll get right done to you. If you do wrong - you will be done wrong. I guess Paul is saying that if you sow to the Spirit you'll reap life, if you sow to the flesh, you'll reap corruption.
I suppose that the karma idea is more of a self serving kind of thing. More like the golden rule in reverse....if you do good unto others, you'll have good done unto you!
But the reaping and sowing is more along the lines of working in God's will. Seeking a harvest....be it of souls saved, people delivered, answers to prayer...
Do you think I'm getting on the right track here?
TK:
That's...a little scary. I seem to sow to the flesh every day, especially the lying in bed when I should be up and praying part.you wrote:Here is John Stott's description of sowing to the flesh. i just happened to read this yesterday:
To "sow to the flesh" is to pander to it, to cosset, cuddle and stroke it, instead of crucifying it. The seeds we sow are largely thoughts and deeds. Every time we allow our mind to harbor a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure fantasy, or wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh. Every time we linger in bad company whose insidious influence we know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature, every time we take a risk that strains our self-control, we are sowing, sowing, sowing to the flesh.
Commentary on Galatians
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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One more thought -
The Hindu idea of karma means that a person's current suffering is the result of "bad choices" made previously in another life. This attitude causes the Hindu to ignore suffering around them and to let the law of karma redeem itself. Each individual is responsible to work their way out of the situation that they are in. It may even go so far as to validate treating someone badly, because they deserved it anyway.
I read recently that the country of India, whose culture is deeply rooted in Hinduism, has one of the lowest rates of per capita charitable giving. This is born out of the karmic belief.
In stark contrast, I think the Bible's version of "reaping what you sow" is enmeshed with taking care of others, realizing that it is sin that created this mess and we are all guilty of it. God not only desires that we stop sinning, but that we do whatever we can to reverse the effects of sin upon this world. This brings glory to God.
In Galatians 6, the surrounding verses to 7 and 8 urge believers to help each other out and to help out others. Also, the prophetic books of the OT are replete with condemnations about mistreating the unfortunate and obstructing justice.
Dave
The Hindu idea of karma means that a person's current suffering is the result of "bad choices" made previously in another life. This attitude causes the Hindu to ignore suffering around them and to let the law of karma redeem itself. Each individual is responsible to work their way out of the situation that they are in. It may even go so far as to validate treating someone badly, because they deserved it anyway.
I read recently that the country of India, whose culture is deeply rooted in Hinduism, has one of the lowest rates of per capita charitable giving. This is born out of the karmic belief.
In stark contrast, I think the Bible's version of "reaping what you sow" is enmeshed with taking care of others, realizing that it is sin that created this mess and we are all guilty of it. God not only desires that we stop sinning, but that we do whatever we can to reverse the effects of sin upon this world. This brings glory to God.
In Galatians 6, the surrounding verses to 7 and 8 urge believers to help each other out and to help out others. Also, the prophetic books of the OT are replete with condemnations about mistreating the unfortunate and obstructing justice.
Dave
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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