Karma

Perhaps it is that I am more sensitive to the topic than in the past, but recently I have noticed numerous references to the word “Karma.” I’ve seen it in books, on Facebook, in conversation – it seems the word is everywhere.  We have Credit Karma, Karma Automotive, Karma Coupons. So what is Karma, and what place does it have in the life of a Christian.

One definition of karma is “the force generated by a person’s actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person’s next existence.” Let’s break this down.

“The force generated by a person’s actions.” This is saying that our actions can determine our lives. While this is true to an extent, it fails to account for God’s guidance in our lives.  It engenders an attitude of “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” This means that it is ME who determines what my future will bring by the way I see life and prepare myself to face its realities. This allows for no recognition of God in our lives.

Held in Hinduism and Buddhism. These are not religions that recognize the one true God. By borrowing from these religions, we dilute the effectiveness of our Christian walk, maybe to the point that we are no longer Christian at all. +

To perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person’s next existence. Transmigration is the movement of a soul from one body to another after death. Our next existence implies the concept of reincarnation. Both of these are diametrically opposed to the Christian belief of resurrection. As Christians we do not believe we will forever come back to earth in human or other forms, but escape earth for an eternal existence in Heaven.
Realize that karma is not a moral law, it is a law of cause and effect. Morality is established and maintained by God. It is unchangeable, unlike what one may encounter in karma. Even dabbling in karma can be dangerous as it teaches doctrines that are opposed to Christianity. When we bring non-Christian concepts into our lives, our Christian witness is damaged. I am reminded of lyrics from the old hymn “ On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.