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, I understand where you are coming from. I personally have had a few cats as pets and I really love them. I have lived in apartments and cats are often allowed as they can stay indoors. I have learned to understand their body language and though each one was very different personality-wise, when you take the time to understand them they are marvelous creatures as I am sure dogs, horses, rabbits and all other pets are to those with whom they live... But you must remember we are made in His image. I believe this has to do with the fact that we are aware of Him and seek to worship our Creator, whereas animals do not seem to have this awareness. However, our pets definitely have a soul and that means they have very individual personalities. They love unconditionally and return that affection if they are loved. They become very precious to the observant "master" and can become very much bonded to us. I have had a few pets myself and I love them almost as much as my children. If I had to choose the life of my child over my pet...it would be grievious to me but I would have to choose my child. Do you see what I mean? From what I understand we have a body, they have a body; we have a soul, they have a soul; we have a spirit which is able to be united to God, I don't know that they possess this and I believe that the spirit is what makes us eternal beings. I don't really know that they don't but the Word of God is silent on this as far as I can tell. I believe from the time of the creation, mankind was to care for the creatures God created which is hinted at by God allowing Adam to name all of them. God however reserved nameing the stars for Himself. Mankind, having this responsiblity, was not to harm them but to care for them, for their good. After the flood, because of the altered conditions [probably spiritually as well as physically] on the earth, animals began to fear man because animals were now our prey as well as the other way around.[Genesis 9:2] But that had not been God's original plan. And, in Isaiah 11:6, the prophet tells us that when Christ returns, the relationship between mankind and the rest of God's creatures will be restored to what it was meant to be in the Garden of Eden. What exactly life will be like for us in heaven, I do not really know. I only trust that it will be wonderful and that God being just will treat the rest of creation justly and with mercy as well. The word of God tells us that He will swallow up death and take all the tears from our faces in Isaiah 25: 7-8. I hope this is of some help to you or anyone else that may read this. Itiswritten. |