The concept of karma in the Hinduism religion usually states that the sinful acts must be accompanied by the consequences that should be on board. It is the believe of the Hindus that would should be paid for what one done i.e. should reap what you sow. They also believe that one’s past way of living and behavior heavily impacts the fate of what one faces in the present days. There is also the notion that the how an individual behaves of conducts himself presently has an influence on the future. Thus in light of this context karma acts as a hindrance to the Hindu’s understanding on the concept if salvation as believed and practiced by the Christian faithful. (Green 40).The reason behind this particular notion is because the issue of forgiveness of an individual’s sins by God as a result of the His mercy and sympathy just as Jesus demonstrated while on earth and that this makes it an unknown and undiscovered concept amongst the Hindus in their religion.
The law as regards to Karma holds the position that the life of the human beings is held in closely knit wed that involves casual interactions which eventually determine the presents state of an individual’s life and what the future holds for that particular individual (Green 52).That is the reason behind their strong point of view that there is absolutely no need for repentance from guilt feelings, sinful actions and also a life of shame. Their position in regards to the issue of
repentance of one’s sins is that it is much better in the reincarnation that is likely to follow afterwards. The Hindu doctrine states that no one and nothing has the ability to make any changes or change any aspect of life. The Hindu faith is intolerant to the issue of having an absolute truth or the existence of supernatural powers that comes from above or outside. The term Karma in its general sense means to do or act. It revolves around the concept that whatever one does or thinks about something really counts and has an impact on how an individual is likely to born in his or her next life on earth.
What therefore this particular principles means is that when an individual is unluckily born with a bad karma then he has a chance to be born many times into some lower social group of his fellow human beings or even to lower categories of animals (Kulandran 86). When one is born in such as situation he or she cannot be released not unless that particular individual is reborn in the priestly social group or community. This therefore clearly shows how the concept of karma and that of reincarnation are connected to each other.
Thus the individuals who subscribe to the Hindu faith are in total control and in charge of their own salvation that depicts their release from the issues of being born and being reborn. Despite the law of karma there still exist some key similarities between karma and the Christian’s concepts of sin (Kulandran 89). One of the common similarities is that they both advocate and revolve around the morals of an individual. Karma involves ones behavior in the present life as it affects the future.
Christian’s concept of sin dictates that one has to do good and be morally upright while one earth for him or her to go to heaven thus the rise of the issue. Another similar between karma among the Hindus and the concept of sin among the Christians is the both concepts believe in the being of a cause-effect interaction between what we do and behave and the end results and impact they produce in our lives on earth (Halverson 41).They operate on the notion that we shall be accountable for every act and behavior we do while on earth. There are however some differences between the issue of karma with Hindus and the concept of sins among the Christians.
One of the major differences between the two is that karma is not related in any way with Brahman which is the reason behind the existence of all things in the world. It does not matter whether the karma of an individual is a good one or not as it does little to alter the fact that we are extended as a result of the oneness that comes from Brahman.
However sin according to the Christian concept has a really great effect on our relationship with God our maker and anyone who sins and goes against His wishes pays for it makes that individual to be alienated from the Gods kingdom. One thing that God likes and loves is moral uprightness and anyone who doesn’t go as He wishes is alienated from Him (Green 123). Our sinful act are usually seen as rebellion against His wishes and also His mart as the authority. God doesn’t like sinners and has no relationship with them in Karma the relationship with Brahman is never affected at all.
The other difference between karma as per the Hindu religion and sin in accordance with the Christian religion is that karma usually considers the issue of morality as like a law and guideline of nature. It states the every person is obliged it live and behave in a moral manner, it has to be the way of living and no excuse about it (Green 145). It creates no room for forgiveness for the wrongs done and one must pay for the sins done while on earth.
The consequences that follow are usually inevitable and there is no way out on the sins committed, one cannot escape the wrath of the nature. On the other hand sins according to the Christian faith are forgivable. The reasoning behind this particular concept is that God is personal and just the same way human beings have the ability to forgive one another, God on His personal capacity can also forgive any sin done by a person no matter the magnitude of the particular sin. If the particular sinner chooses to repent and asks for forgiveness from God, then He is always ready to forgive and restore that person to the righteous path. (Fasching 62)
This particular notion in the Christian faith that God forgives sinners has been seen whereby Jesus his son died for the sins of the people so that they could be liberated and be brought in line with the wishes of the Almighty God. The nature of God is that He is forgiving and thus he can one’s own sins and past acts cannot define and shape the future he or she will end up living as long as he repents.
There is however a biblical response to this particular issue of karma from the Christian perspective. Some people are usually of the believe that Karma is part and parcel of the Christian faith or is well defined in the Christianity (Fasching 67). However in the words of Galatians 6:7, the bible is very categorical on this particular issue as it states that we should not be deceived as the Almighty God is not mocked and whatever one sows while on earth he will have to reap. From that particular verse of the bible the bible seeks to illustrate that we shall reap what we sow.
There may be some sort of similarity between karma and Christianity when you look at it from that angle but in real sense karma and Christianity are not compatible in any way. To get the clear difference between it of paramount importance to the book of Galatians does not about the afterlife of an individual but rather talks about the life one is living.. The perceptive of reaping what you saw form how karma defines it is totally different form the Christian teachings.
The difference is usually brought about where Christianity states that an individual must first die before he judged but according to the there is no judgment after one dies. “And as much as it is appointed for me to die once after this comes judgment.”(Hebrews 9:27). This is the verse that tends to give an illustration that an individual is usually judged for the sins done while alive the moment he or she dies. You cannot be judged when you are alive because God gives Christian a chance to repent their sins before they die. (Halverson 93)
It is there of paramount importance to get the understanding of what sin is according to the Christian faith. According to the book of 1 John 3:4 the bible says that anyone who has committed sins has practiced lawlessness and thus the sinning is a form of lawlessness. What this verse seeks to give an explanation is that the act of sinning is gross violation of the laws of God or what God would expect that particular individual to behave. The act of sinning according to the bible which acts as the guiding laws of the Christian faith entails telling lies, stealing another person’s property without his or her consent and also hating on somebody among other acts. (Halverson 109). If one does the aforementioned acts then he or she commits a sin ad this is a violation of the laws of the Almighty God.
The bible sates those sins damages our relationship with God and as illustrated in the book of Isaiah. “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and God. And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” This shows that there is no relationship between a sinner and God. The ultimate price for sins of death to the sinner unless he repents as illustrated in the book of Roman 5;12 that states that “ just as through one man sin entered into the world and so death spread o all men , because all sinned.” The books of Romans further holds the position that the price off sin is ultimately death nut the free gift from the Almighty God is having an eternal life those who repent their sins and live according to the wishes of God.
There are some differences between the Hindu faith and the Christian faith. One of them is the relational nature and also the knowability of God. The Christian faith is usually highlighted in the principle that God is relational and also is can easily be known. This notion is usually defined in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity that usually illustrates that even before the world was created God was still a relational being. (Halverson 123)
There were still relationships between God and Himself on this concept of the Holy trinity. God was able to reveal Himself through his son Jesus Christ and thus this tells us truths about him and this defines Him as being knowable and hi relational nature that He is. The same concept about God cannot be said about the Hindus. According to the Hindu faith God does not exist and thus there are no positive attribute that are directed towards Him.
The other major difference between the two religions is on the complexity and also uniqueness of the Christians gospel and the several paths of the Hindu faith. (Green 198) According to Hinduism they tend to accepts God in multiple paths and do not look at God on a single point of view or approach. Their problem is not the many concepts that are associated with Christianity such as the issue of resurrection nut their main issue of concern is the unique and complex nature that is usually associated with Jesus Christ. Christ being the answer and solution to the human and issues if their main concern.(Green 224)
Work cited
Green, Joel B, Jacqueline E. Lapsley, Rebekah Miles, and Allen Verhey. Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2011. Print.
Fasching, Darrell J, Dell deChant, and David M. Lantigua. Comparative Religious Ethics: A Narrative Approach to Global Ethics. Chicester: Wiley, 2011. Internet resource
Halverson, Dean C. The Compact Guide to World Religions. Minneapolis, Minn: Bethany House Publishers, 1996. Print.
Kulandran, Sabapathy. Grace in Christianity and Hinduism: A Comparative Study. Cambridge: James Clarke, 2004. Print
