Do we exist before conception?

[rmcbride]

I wanted to clarify the question I asked earlier today. I heard a charismatic pastor on youtube expounding on Jeremiah saying that God knew Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb. This pastor thinks that means that humans are a spirit being and that we exist before we are born. I know this belief is a key component of reincarnation or transmigration of souls and I know it is a heresy. I am not sure that this person believes in reincarnation but it appears to me that he is dangerously close to coming to a false conclusion. I would like to know what the church teaches on this and if it has formally been declared a heresy. Any scripture or tradition would be greatly appreciated.

thanks much

Ron

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

The passage simply means that God foresaw the existence of Jeremiah. God knows all that will happen and thus knew Jeremiah would exist. And with that knowledge God chose him to be a prophet.

The preexistence of souls was condemned at the fifth ecumenical council (Constantinople II) in canon 1 of The Anathemas Against Origen:

IF anyone asserts the fabulous pre-existence of souls, and shall assert the monstrous restoration which follows from it: let him be anathema.