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More and more, people are accepting the idea that we may be living in a simulation, but this isn’t a new thought at all. Philosophical schools have pondered the idea since the beginning of time. Some have even held the opinion that this reality is a kind of “soul trap” holding our consciousness prisoner for some reason. Does Christianity address these ideas at all? Let’s look and see.
The Illusion of Reality
The idea that reality might be an illusion has been a recurring theme across many, if not most, philosophical, religious, and esoteric traditions. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, prisoners chained inside a cave perceive shadows on the wall as the only reality, only to realize, upon escaping, that the shadows were mere illusions and that a more profound reality exists outside the cave. Similarly, in Buddhism, the concept of Maya suggests that the world as we perceive it is an illusion, obscuring the true nature of existence. Achieving enlightenment involves seeing through this illusion to grasp the ultimate truth. In Hinduism, particularly in Advaita Vedanta, the material world is also considered an illusion (Maya), with Brahman being the only true reality.
In Western philosophy, René Descartes explored the idea of reality as an illusion through radical skepticism, doubting everything that could be doubted until he reached the conclusion that the only certain knowledge was his own existence—”Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”). Similarly, phenomenalism posits that physical objects do not exist independently of our perception, suggesting that reality consists only of sensory experiences. More recently, the simulation hypothesis, popularized by figures like Nick Bostrom, suggests that reality might be an artificial simulation, such as a computer simulation created by an advanced civilization.
The Trap
Some have even taken it further and said that this illusory reality is a kind of “soul trap”. This idea, also, can be found in various philosophical, religious, and esoteric traditions. Let’s look at some examples.
In Gnosticism, the material world is seen as a creation of a lesser, malevolent deity (the Demiurge), with human souls trapped in this flawed realm. Salvation involves gaining special knowledge (gnosis) to transcend the material world and return to the divine realm.
In Hinduism, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) is sometimes viewed as a trap for the soul, with liberation (moksha) being the goal, achieved by realizing one’s true nature and unity with Brahman. Buddhism also views samsara as a state of suffering and illusion, with enlightenment (nirvana) being the liberation from this cycle.
Modern interpretations, such as the simulation hypothesis and the concept popularized by “The Matrix” film, suggest that humans could be trapped in a sophisticated computer simulation, with their true existence hidden from them. Esoteric and New Age beliefs propose that souls are trapped in the material world by negative entities or energies, emphasizing the need for spiritual awakening to break free from these constraints. Hermeticism teaches that the material world is a lesser reflection of a higher spiritual reality, with the soul needing to undergo spiritual purification to return to the divine source.
Even in the science fiction writings of Philip K. Dick, themes of reality and illusion are common, with the author questioning the nature of reality and suggesting that the perceived world might be a deceptive construct trapping the soul or consciousness.
These varied interpretations reflect a common theme of questioning the nature of reality and the possibility that our perceived world might be a form of entrapment for the soul or consciousness. Are these ideas supported in Christian thinking?
The Christian Perspective
While mainstream Christianity typically does not endorse the idea of a “soul trap” per se, many view the material world as a place of suffering and temptation, with salvation through Christ being the way to escape this worldly bondage and attain eternal life in heaven. In fact, who could honestly say that this reality isn’t primarily a place of hardship and suffering? Pretty much everyone would have to agree with that sentiment. So, one could say that the question is not whether we are currently “trapped” in a place of suffering but rather, is there a way out?
We see in Matthew 7:13 Jesus says: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
And in Matthew 7:22 “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
All Christians will agree that Christ is the way out of the trap of suffering, whether in this world or the next, but it seems from these passages that most don’t find it. What is Jesus really saying here?
What is Salvation, Really
The question is one of true salvation versus self-deception. So many “Christians” end up stopping short of the total surrender and commitment necessary for real salvation and go just far enough to feel better about their current situation and alleviate any anxiety around the idea of death and hell – but they are missing the point.
Salvation is not an issue of escaping responsibility for the things that one has done – it all boils down to the idea of purity. A person can choose to live a moral and ethical life without God and can choose to be a moral humanist and do charitable things, be helpful to people, kind to people, good to people but still not be able to achieve a level of purity that would allow them to be in a state where they were able to commune with God.
The most ethical and moral atheist or humanist is still in a state of spiritual impurity. In order for a human being to be pure, it requires divine intervention because humans, by their nature, are incapable of such a level of purity without help – and God has provided a means of achieving such a state of purity.
The whole thing is about giving humans an opportunity to be pure in a way that they could never do on their own and without that purity they could never get close to God. People misunderstand this whole idea. A common example is; “so if Hitler did all the horrible things that he did and then three seconds before his death he asked Jesus for forgiveness would he go to heaven? How is that fair when another person lives a moral atheist life and then goes to hell.”
This is a completely wrong understanding of what is going on. It isn’t about getting yourself out of trouble. It isn’t about buying some sort of insurance for the next life. It isn’t about getting a reprieve from the horrible life that you have lived. It isn’t about buying your way into heaven. It isn’t about escaping hell. All of these thoughts are simply immature and incorrect.
It is about having a deep love for God and wanting to be close to Him. And for those who have this kind of love for Him, He provides a means of achieving the kind of purity that is necessary to be with Him.
It’s not about getting out of trouble, it’s about being in love.
Being born of woman, you were born into this world and are of this world and when you die you leave this world unprepared for the next and you will die there as well. But being born a second time of the spirit, you are being born into the next world while still in this one so that when you die in this world you are alive in the next and you do not die there as well.
Those who are not born of the spirit while in this world, when they die in this world they will spend what feels like eternity in a place that is between this world and the next and that is usually referred to as hell. They are there awaiting their death, the real death, and in that place they are wholly separated from God.
But those that are born of the spirit while still in this world, when they die, they do not experience the in between world of hell and they do not go on to the second true death but rather, when they leave this world, they go on to the next life – true life. That’s why it is said; “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.”
I hope you have found this an enlightening discussion about a very profound subject. You can find more interesting articles and videos in our weekly newsletter and a whole different interesting subject on our main website. Cheers friends.