The intersection of spiritual belief, historical memory, and literary exploration creates a profound landscape for understanding the concept of reincarnation. In contemporary discourse, particularly within Dutch-speaking contexts, the question "Can one believe in reincarnation?" has moved from the fringes of esotericism into mainstream theological and media discussions. This shift is exemplified by the 2019 television broadcast "Jacobine op Zondag," hosted by the theologian and presenter Jacobine Geel. The program served as a critical platform where the rigid boundaries of traditional Protestant theology met the fluid, experiential reality of reincarnation therapy and autobiographical literature. The dialogue featured author Bas Steman and reincarnation therapist Hetty Kruijmer-Cazemier, creating a unique synthesis of personal narrative, clinical therapy, and theological inquiry.
This exploration is not merely about the metaphysical mechanics of the soul, but about the human need for healing, the processing of unexplained emotions, and the reconciliation of ancient beliefs with modern identity. The broadcast highlighted a tension that has persisted for centuries: the friction between institutional religious dogma and the personal, often overwhelming experiences of individuals who feel connected to past lives. By examining the specific case studies presented in the dialogue, the broader implications for religious censorship, the nature of the soul, and the therapeutic value of past-life regression become clear.
The Literary Catalyst: Bas Steman and the Soldier Morgan
The entry point for this theological and psychological exploration was not a textbook, but a work of fiction rooted in personal conviction. Bas Steman, a Dutch author, wrote an autobiographical novel titled Morgan, een liefde (Morgan, a Love). The central premise of the book revolves around a character named Morgan, a soldier who died during the Battle of Arnhem in World War II. Steman expressed a profound, almost visceral feeling that he was this soldier in a previous existence. This was not a casual hypothesis but a deep-seated intuition that drove the narrative structure of his novel.
The novel functions as a vehicle for exploring the "mystery" that cannot be fully comprehended. Steman's work suggests that while the mechanics of reincarnation may remain a mystery, the emotional and spiritual impact is tangible. The story features a skeptical protagonist—resembling the author himself—who is drawn into a world of spiritual inquiry by a woman who is deeply engaged with these concepts. The narrative arc involves the skeptical man being "seduced" into this world of the spirit, only to discover that the events he experiences align with historical facts.
Steman's personal journey culminated in a pilgrimage to the grave of the soldier Morgan. In the interview, Steman described a profound sense of resolution. He stated that upon standing at the grave, a sense of peace descended upon him. He felt he had completed a necessary task for the woman known as Glennis, her family, and himself. The experience was described as "healing" (geheeld). Steman noted that after this act of closure, he could return to being "just Bas," suggesting that the reincarnation experience served a functional purpose: the resolution of unfinished business and the restoration of personal identity.
The literary work serves as a bridge between the abstract concept of reincarnation and the concrete reality of historical trauma. Steman's approach is not that of a preacher imposing dogma, but of a novelist exploring the "unexplainable." This distinction is crucial in the context of the interview. Steman positions himself as an artist seeking truth through narrative rather than a religious authority defining doctrine. The novel Morgan becomes a testament to the idea that love can transcend death, a theme that underpins the entire discussion.
The Therapeutic Perspective: Hetty Kruijmer-Cazemier
While Steman provided the narrative framework, Hetty Kruijmer-Cazemier offered the clinical and experiential perspective. As a reincarnation therapist, she brought a background deeply rooted in the Protestant tradition, specifically the Synodally Reformed church. Her personal history is a microcosm of the broader cultural tension. Having grown up in a strictly Reformed household, she witnessed the rigidity of her youth, where the focus was entirely on the sermon and the authority of the minister.
Kruijmer-Cazemier described her early resistance to this rigid structure. She questioned the simplistic explanations offered by the church regarding the fate of the soul. The church taught that upon death, one is "sheltered with God" or in heaven, but for her, this was merely a perception or a mental image, lacking tangible reality. Her transition from a church elder (ouderling) for four and a half years to a therapist marked a shift from institutional authority to personal spiritual inquiry.
The therapeutic practice of Kruijmer-Cazemier is grounded in the concept of the "soul" as the entry point for understanding reincarnation. She emphasizes that while the church speaks of the soul, the specific mechanisms of reincarnation offer a different, more dynamic view of the soul's journey. Her work involves listening to individuals who recount stories they have never shared with anyone else. These stories often involve intense, unexplainable emotions or phobias that resist conventional psychological explanation.
A key aspect of her therapy is the identification of patterns that link current behaviors to past-life traumas. She recounted specific instances where clients experienced sudden, unexplained emotional reactions. For example, a client might feel an irrational fear of tanks or military vehicles. Kruijmer-Cazemier noted that this often links back to the Second World War. In one personal anecdote, she recalled her own childhood experience where a tank was stationed on a dike. While other children played on the tank, she wept. Years later, as a camera operator for a memorial service, she felt her legs turn to jelly when veterans arrived, forcing her cameraman to take over. In retrospect, she recognized this as a "recognition" of a past life experience.
The therapeutic value lies in the "healing" aspect. Kruijmer-Cazemier argues that the goal is not to "prove" reincarnation in a scientific sense, but to facilitate healing. The process allows individuals to understand the root of their anxieties and phobias, often tracing them to traumatic events in a previous existence. This approach resonates with many who feel that their current struggles are not random but are echoes of unresolved past events.
Theological Tension and the Nature of the Soul
The dialogue between Steman and Kruijmer-Cazemier highlighted a significant theological tension. The question "Can one (as a Christian) believe in reincarnation?" strikes at the heart of traditional Christian doctrine, which historically rejects the concept of the soul returning to earth. The interview explored the definition of the soul: where it originates and where it goes after death.
Kruijmer-Cazemier pointed out that the traditional church view of the soul is often a "perception" or a "mental image" rather than a tangible reality. In her experience as a church elder, she encountered people with profound stories that did not fit the standard narrative of immediate ascension to heaven. The tension arises because reincarnation challenges the linear view of salvation history held by many Protestant denominations.
The interview also touched upon the resistance to the concept. Kruijmer-Cazemier noted that while some people have no use for the term "reincarnation," the underlying mechanism of working with the spirit and the soul is valuable. She advises against dismissing the concept entirely without understanding its implications. The core of the discussion was not about proving the existence of past lives as a scientific fact, but about the utility of the concept for healing.
This tension is further illustrated by the reaction of the Evangelical Broadcasting Corporation (EO). While the KRO-NCRV program allowed for an open discussion, the EO was noted for its strict censorship regarding topics that challenge traditional dogma. The fear expressed by the EO leadership was that confronting the "backbench" (conservative members) with concepts labeled as "heresies" or "straying" would lead to a loss of members. This fear of losing the congregation led to the suppression of certain interviews.
Censorship, Media, and the Search for Truth
The media landscape surrounding this topic reveals a complex dynamic between religious institutions and the freedom of inquiry. The KRO-NCRV program, hosted by Jacobine Geel, was celebrated for making the topic of reincarnation discussable within conventional churches. The Facebook page @ncrvjacobine received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with viewers expressing relief that this important subject was finally being addressed openly.
In contrast, the Evangelical Omroep (EO) demonstrated a different approach. The EO was described as having significantly more censorship. The rationale provided was that confronting the conservative base with concepts that challenge their "false certainties" leads to member attrition. This dynamic resulted in specific interviews being blocked from airing.
A specific instance of this censorship involved an interview with Bas Steman for the program De Nachtzoen. Steman described the situation on his website, noting that the broadcast of the recordings was forbidden because the novel Morgan, een liefde deals with reincarnation. Steman characterized this as "bizarre," arguing that the interview was about the mystery and the unexplainable, not a dogmatic sermon. He expressed frustration that the editorial team of IKON had to work under the EO's management, which he felt stifled the "open spirit" with "fear and blinders."
This conflict highlights a broader societal trend. While some religious institutions cling to rigid dogmas, others, like the KRO-NCRV program, are embracing a more nuanced exploration of spiritual concepts. The censorship by the EO is driven by a fear of losing members, whereas the KRO-NCRV approach is driven by a desire to contribute to "consciousness raising" (bewustwording) within the religious community.
The Mechanics of Recognition and Healing
The core mechanism discussed in the interview is "recognition" (herkenning). This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment but an emotional and somatic experience. The participants discussed how unexplained emotions often serve as the entry point for understanding past lives.
The process involves identifying specific triggers. For instance, a sudden, intense fear of a specific object or situation (like tanks or military settings) can be traced back to a traumatic event in a past life. The therapeutic goal is to bring these unconscious memories to consciousness, allowing the individual to process the trauma.
The concept of "healing" is central to this discourse. Steman's experience at the grave of Morgan exemplifies this. The act of visiting the grave and acknowledging the connection led to a state of peace and a feeling of having "done what needed to be done." This suggests that the purpose of reincarnation is not just to explain the past, but to resolve unfinished emotional business in the present.
The following table summarizes the key distinctions between the traditional religious view and the reincarnation perspective as presented in the dialogue:
| Aspect | Traditional Protestant View | Reincarnation/Therapeutic View |
|---|---|---|
| Fate of the Soul | Immediate ascension to heaven or shelter with God upon death. | The soul continues to journey, potentially returning to earth in new forms. |
| Source of Belief | Scripture, sermon, and church authority. | Personal experience, intuition, and therapeutic regression. |
| Role of the Past | History is linear; the past is fixed and separate. | The past (past lives) is accessible and influences present emotions. |
| Goal of Inquiry | Adherence to dogma and salvation. | Healing, understanding the self, and resolving trauma. |
| Attitude toward Mystery | Often viewed as something to be defined by doctrine. | Viewed as a mystery that can be approached through experience and narrative. |
The Role of Media in Spiritual Awakening
The broadcast "Jacobine op Zondag" on January 5, 2019, served as a pivotal moment in making reincarnation a discussable topic within the Protestant sphere. Jacobine Geel, described as well-versed in esotericism, used her platform to bridge the gap between conventional church teachings and emerging spiritual understandings. The program featured a dialogue that was not about proving the existence of past lives scientifically, but about exploring the human experience of the soul.
The reception of the program was positive, with many viewers expressing gratitude for the open discussion. This indicates a growing appetite within the religious community for a more inclusive spiritual dialogue. The program also highlighted the work of other media figures like Annemiek Schrijver and Marleen Stelling, who also contribute to this shift in consciousness. However, the comparison with the Evangelical Omroep underscores the varying degrees of openness within different religious media outlets.
The discussion also touched upon the nature of "recognition." The participants noted that the concept of reincarnation often meets resistance. However, the therapeutic approach suggests that the concept is a tool for understanding the self. The focus shifts from "belief" to "healing."
Conclusion
The dialogue between Jacobine Geel, Bas Steman, and Hetty Kruijmer-Cazemier represents a significant moment in the discourse on reincarnation. It moves the conversation from abstract theology to the tangible reality of human experience. The novel Morgan, een liefde and the therapeutic practice of Kruijmer-Cazemier provide a framework for understanding how past-life memories can manifest as unexplained emotions or phobias.
The tension between the traditional church and the concept of reincarnation is palpable. While some institutions, like the Evangelical Omroep, resort to censorship to protect their conservative base, others, like the KRO-NCRV, embrace the mystery and the potential for healing. The ultimate value of reincarnation, as presented in this discourse, lies not in dogmatic proof, but in its capacity to heal trauma and provide closure for unresolved issues. The story of Bas Steman finding peace at the grave of Morgan illustrates that the purpose of these beliefs is to restore the self.
The exploration of the soul, its origins, and its journey remains a profound mystery. Yet, through literature, therapy, and open media dialogue, the boundaries of what is "believable" are being expanded. The conversation invites individuals to look beyond the rigid structures of traditional dogma and to consider the possibility of a soul that transcends a single lifetime. The result is a more compassionate, healing-oriented approach to the human condition, where the past is not dead but continues to shape the present, offering a path to wholeness.