Question

Discuss the concepts of karma and reincarnation. How does these concepts compare to the atonement in Christian Theism?

Answer 1

Karma is a concept of action, deed or work with the principle of cause and effect relationship.

it also refers to the spiritual aspect where intent and actions of an individual influences his/her future. Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and happier rebirths, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and bad rebirths. In the eastern concepts the soul or atman has rebirth so many souls have reincarnations for some purpose in life.  

Rebirth, or saṃsāra, is the concept that all life forms go through a cycle of reincarnation, that is a series of births and rebirths. The rebirths and consequent life may be in different realm, condition or form. The karma theories suggest that the realm, condition and form depends on the quality and quantity of karma. In schools that believe in rebirth, every living being's soul transmigrates (recycles) after death, carrying the seeds of Karmic impulses from life just completed, into another life and lifetime of karmas. This cycle continues indefinitely, except for those who consciously break this cycle by reaching moksa. Those who break the cycle reach the realm of gods, those who don't continue in the cycle.

The Doctrine of the Atonement is articulated in many various ways, which to some Christians seem profoundly true, but often are reckoned deeply unsatisfactory by others, also moved by the cross, but to whom it speaks in some very different way, answering to different needs, and offering a different sort of salvation.

Different accounts of the Atonement is assessed stereoscopically. They are not necessarily rivals, and may sometimes be seen as different metaphors, each bringing out some facet of the truth: but they are not all equally valid either some involve presuppositions, or carry implications, which on a fuller view of Christianity must be rejected. As per scriptures, to atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God.