Bible Question: I'm having an underlying problem with my faith that I need to find closure with. And it stems from my love of animals and God's view of animals. Most christians I speak with view animals as things God gave us to do with however we please. Some things I read in the Bible make me think God really loves animals and then other things make me think He really could care less. Jesus states that God is aware of every death, even that of a sparrow. That makes me think He is very in tune not only to humans but to all His creations. But how does an animal lover accept God's choice of animal sacrifices in light of the fact He knew they wouldn't accomplish what Jesus did? I understand He favors humans over animals because we are made in His image. I've talked to some Christians who tell me to get over my love of animals and to stop trying to make God fit into my view of Him. Is this what I'm trying to do? |
Bible Answer: Dear Chynna...You are not having problems with your Faith. You may have a problem with understanding the Biblical idea of stewardship. You Wrote... "Most christians I speak with view animals as things God gave us to do with however we please"... but that means that Christians who want to please God will be good stewards of His Creation. That includes animals. Christians do not “please” to abuse animals, or any other part of Creation. But the Creation is here for your use. And you Wrote... "But how does an animal lover accept God's choice of animal sacrifices..." .....which is close to saying that animals are the equal of men(people)when they are clearly not. An “animal lover” may not accept animal sacrifice but an OT people of God would. An “animal lover” may not subscribe to eating meat but a NT Christian would see no harm at all. Which comes first in your own life will be determined by your understanding of the position you occupy in His Creation. Your issue(s) with animals will be resolved when you come to the full understanding that God loves all of His Creation and each part has a “role” to play. Even His Son had a part to play and surely the crucifixion of a guiltless man will give more pause than the death of any animal. Your heightened concern with animals may be misplaced or misdirected. You were an "animal lover" before becoming a Christian. There may have been a moral equivalence instilled in you through a government school. Was there a government teacher that encouraged you along the path of Pantheism? (God, if there is one, is everywhere and is in everything. All life is equal. A boy is a tree is a pig.)Being a good steward for all of His Creation is Biblical, but we are to use what God gave us. Do you remember Peters Vision? Why would God tell us in Acts 10…. “11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." …if we were not to use His Creation for our own maintenance. In the OT animal sacrifice was a way to maintain a relationship with God. He said to do it. Start with the Knowledge that if God said it, it must be Good. Now go out and persuade the world to your knowledge of the Truth. Do not start with an idea of the world (pantheism) and then try to adjust God to it. God Bless….Jensen |