Part Six: “Was Jesus Indifferent to Animals?”
One of the
common criticisms hurled at Christianity by secular animal rights advocates is
that the Bible is indifferent to the welfare animals. In particular, critics
claim that Jesus showed little concern for animal life. Well-known radical
animal rights advocate, Peter Singer, is an example. He writes, “The New
Testament is completely lacking in any injunction against cruelty to animals,
or any recommendations to consider their interests. Jesus himself showed
indifference to the fate of non- humans when he induced two thousand swine to hurl themselves into the sea" (Animal Liberation: A New Ethic for Our Treatment of Animals, p. 209).
In previous blog articles, I have already
refuted the unwarranted allegation that the Bible is unconcerned or apathetic
to the welfare of animals. Scripture teaches that God created non-human life.
All animals belong to Him; He watchers over them; He enjoys them; He provides
for their well-being. God desires that all animal life fulfill the purpose for
which He created them. In light of this, it would be theologically impossible
for Jesus to have an indifferent attitude toward animals. Why? As the second
member of the triune Godhead, Jesus could not be apathetic toward wild and domestic
animals because God the Father is passionately concerned for their welfare and survival.
In other words, as the incarnate Son of God, Jesus would have shared the
Father’s love and concern for animal life.
The primary purpose of Jesus’ incarnation
was to open the door to human reconciliation with God through His sacrificial
death on the cross for our sins. His Second Advent will include the removal of
nature’s curse (Rom. 8:20-32; Rev. 22:3; cf. Gen. 3:17-19); the establishment
of a new heaven and earth (Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:1); and the redemption of all creation alongside His people—which
of course will include animal life (Rom. 8:19-23). Nevertheless, even when
Jesus walked this earth he still demonstrated an appreciation and concern for
animals. He told His disciples that not a single sparrow “is forgotten by God”
(Luke 12:6). He pointed out that God provides animals their food (Matt. 6:26;
Luke 12:24) and is concerned for their welfare (Luke 12:6).
As far as the allegation that Jesus “showed
indifference to the fate of nonhumans when he induced two thousand swine to
hurl themselves into the sea,” it was not Jesus but the demons that drove the
pigs into the sea (see Matt. 8:30–32). To claim otherwise is to read meaning
into the passage that flies in the face of the actual narrative—as well as the
whole Scriptural teachings on God and non-human life. However, this raises
another issue that needs to be addressed before moving on.
What about Animal Sacrifices in the Old
Testament?
Many Christians struggle over
harmonizing God’s love for animals with His instructions in Leviticus and
elsewhere to include animal sacrifices in religious activities. This is a fair
concern, but an adequate response is beyond the scope of this study. But I can
at least say this. Animal sacrifices—the shedding of innocent blood—vividly
depicts the gravity of sin and the heartbreaking cost of redemption. In God’s
revelatory plan for human salvation, animal sacrifices in the Old Testament
point directly to the ultimate, once-and-for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on
behalf of rebellious sinners. I can see no more powerful or effective way for
God to illustrate this crucial message. But animal sacrifices do not lesson
God’s love for animals and should not distract us from this fact. Moreover,
slaughtering animals for sacrificial
purposes was done quickly and humanely; it was no different than butchering
animals for human consumption today. In fact much of the edible portions of
sacrificial animals were used for food. More importantly, it was Jesus who
abolished animal sacrifices. And of course if earth-bound animals are privileged to enter heaven, the
“sting” of death (1 Cor. 15:55) is removed for sacrificial as well as all other
earth-bound animals.
Animals Respond to God
In
response to God’s love and provision, through beautiful poetic language, all
creation—including wild animals—is portrayed worshiping and praising the
Creator. Palm 148 speaks of angels and other “heavenly hosts” praising God
alongside “sea creatures” and “wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and
flying birds” (148: 7,10). Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God says “The
animals of the field will honor me, jackals and ostriches, because I provide
water in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isa. 43:20). The last verse
in the last Psalm concludes: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD”
(Ps. 150:6; also see Ps. 65:12–13; 96:11–12; 98:4–8). At the end of this
present age, explains Revelation, “every creature in heaven and on earth and
under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them [will sing] ‘To him who
sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praised and honor and glory and power,
for every and ever’” (5:13)!
In terms of here on earth, in this present age, such
passages should probably be seen as mostly metaphorical. Nevertheless, they point to the reality
that all creatures bringing glory and enjoyment to God simply by fulfilling the
purpose of their creation—a purpose that will continue on and reach perfection
in the Peaceable Kingdom.
This and the previous blog
articles have shown that animals enjoy a wonderful—and dependent—relationship
with their Creator. Standing alone,
the data in these articles do not necessarily translate into earth-bound
animals existing after physical death. But they do provide the foundation for a
compelling theological case that God has more in mind for animals than their
short sojourn here on this earth. There are many other evidences I’ll add to
support this. The most crucial is the evidence that animals possess souls. If
they do, there is no legitimate biblical reason to deny them a future abode in
Heaven. This watershed issue will be the subject of my next one or two blog
articles.
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