God Knows…Animals Matter: A Christian View of God’s Creatures

God Knows…Animals Matter: A Christian View of God’s Creatures

In the ‘Garden of Eden’ “Then God said: Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” Genesis 1:26

Dominion ‘dominion’ – ‘radah’ means to ‘rule over’ or ‘to have stewardship of’ Our ‘ruling over’ of God’s creatures is to be compassionate and kind as the Lord is compassionate to all of His creatures as said in Psalm 145:9.

God’s Intended Diet For Us “God also said: See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food. And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.” Genesis 1:29-31a

Souls of Animals Solomon said: “For the lot of man and of beast is one lot; the one dies as well as the other. Both have the same life-breath, and man has no advantage over the beast; but all is vanity. Both go to the same place; both were made from the dust, and to the dust they both return. Who knows if the life-breath of the children of men goes upward and the life-breath of beasts goes earthward?” Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 Animals and humans were created with the same soul (nefeshchayah- living soul)

This very inspiring book is the product of extensive research of the lives and minds of thousands of Saints. The author reports on 150 Saints who wanted to live lives of peace and compassion. Vegetarian Christian Saints: Mystics, Ascetics & Monks by Dr. Holly Roberts

Animals Belong To God “For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth ... all things were created through him and for him…and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

Animals Are In Satan’s Power “We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19 “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; ” Jesus, John 10:10a

Animals in Heaven? Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.”

Eternal Life For All Creation “God chose to reconcile the whole universe to Himself…to reconcile all things, whether on earth or in heaven, through Him alone.” Colossians 1:15-23

After The Flood “Dread fear of you shall come upon all the animals of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon all the creatures that move about on the ground and all the fishes of the sea; into your power they are delivered.” Genesis 9:2

Some Old Testament Laws • “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.” Exodus 23:4-5 • “But the seventh year you shall let the land lie untilled and unharvested, that the poor among you may eat of it and the beasts of the field may eat what the poor leave.” Exodus 23:11a

Some Old Testament Laws (continued) • “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.” Exodus 23:12 • “Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.” Deuteronomy 22:10 • “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out grain.” Deuteronomy 25:4

Animals Teach Us Job said: “But now ask the beasts to teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you; Or the reptiles on earth to instruct you, and the fish of the sea to inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of God has done this? In his hand is the soul of every living thing, and the life breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10

Animals Teach Us(continued) “Go to the ant, O sluggard, study her ways and learn wisdom; For though she has no chief, no commander or ruler, She procures her food in the summer, stores up her provisions in the harvest.” Proverbs 6:6 NAB

What About Hunting? People in the Bible who were kind to animals, were considered righteous and chosen by God. The four hunters mentioned in the Bible were Ishmael, Nimrod, Esau and the Rider of the White Horse (considered to be a prototype of the Anti-Christ Revelation 6:2).

What About Fishing? “As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him." Matthew 4:18-20

Some Animals In The Bible • Balaam and his donkey (who saved his life) - Numbers 22 • The man who had a pet lamb to show David his sin - 2 Samuel 12 • The dogs who licked the poor man’s sores - Luke 16:21 • The quail the Israelites were sent with consequences - Numbers 11

We’re Responsible? “No creature (ktisis) is concealed from Him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account.” Hebrews 4:13

Health With the increasing outbreaks of e-coli and salmonella in our fruits and vegetables from the animal industry and mad cow disease, which I believe causes misdiagnosed diseases in humans (ie. CJD), are we being warned about our desire for animal products?

World Hunger • Hunger kills approximate 24,000 people per day. • A shift towards a plant-based diet (God’s intended diet), in the United States and other developed countries would free enough land, water and fuel to feed everyone. • More than 80 percent of U.S. agricultural land grows animal feed. A plant-based diet uses only 16 percent to 20 percent of the resources needed to maintain the standard American diet. • For more information about helping people see www.thehungersite.org

World Hunger “While people suffer and die of starvation in Central and South America, these regions ship their grain to the U.S. to feed our cows, pigs, and chickens so that we can satisfy our desire for animal flesh, milk, and eggs.” Fr. John Dear, S.J.

A Report Emerges From the UN “29 November 2006, Rome -…According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation. Says Henning Steinfeld, Chief of FAO’s Livestock Information and Policy Branch and senior author of the report: “Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems. Urgent action is required to remedy the situation….” by Christopher Matthews FAO Newsroom

Global Warming Based on the latest satellite data in a Dec. ‘07 article, NASA climate scientist Dr. Zwally predicts that nearly all the ice could be gone from the Arctic Ocean by the end of Summer 2012.

God’s Creatures Ministry • God’s Creatures Ministry (GCM) began in 2001 in response to God’s calling for Christians to fulfill their responsibility towards animals who have been neglected for centuries. • GCM has a Veterinary Charity Fund to help people with veterinary bills. • GCM educates and encourages all Churches to care about God’s animals. • For more information, please visit www.Godscreaturesministry.org.

Episcopal Network For Animal Welfare The Mission of the Episcopal Network for Animal Welfare is to create an inclusive and mutually-supportive venue for Episcopal animal advocates with a variety of interests and gifts; and to offer our presence, passion, enthusiasm and resources to help equip the churches to give meaningful voice to every creature under Heaven, especially where neglect, cruelty, degradation and commercial exploitation are concerned. They are affiliated with the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals based in the UK.

Catholic Concern for Animals (CCA) CCA began in London, England, in 1929. From small beginnings, it has now spread to 52 countries are regularly consulted by government the media and the Church in matters of theology and opinion concerning animals. In 2005, CCA began a branch in the USA. We have a growing membership of Catholics and non-Catholics. CCA has a Veterinary Charity Fund to help people. Schools and churches can raise funds with the ‘Walk a Mile’ program! It’s easy and fun!

Catholic Concern For Animals’ Journal This wonderful international journal is published three times a year (in English). It is a great way to stay connected and to learn what is happening around the world. It is also a great resource to discuss in Churches.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2416 states: “Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals. . . . It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly.”

Free Will “Man makes moral choices through free will. Animals are innocent, or amoral. As moral agents and endowed with reason, we have responsibilities towards the whole of creation including those weaker and more vulnerable than we are.” Catholic Concern for Animals (CCA)

Animals Used in Research Animals do not need to be experimented on. For more information, please visit the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Medical Research Modernization Committee.

Abusing Animals For Food “…we can see that they (animals) are given into our care, that we cannot just do whatever we want with them. Animals, too, are God's creatures... Certainly, a sort of industrial use of creatures, so that geese are fed in such a way as to produce as large a liver as possible, or hens live so packed together that they become just caricatures of birds, this degrading of living creatures to a commodity seems to me in fact to contradict the relationship of mutuality that comes across in the Bible.“ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 2002 (Pope Benedict XVI)

Divine Nature vs. Human Nature “As made in the image of God, we ought to act in a Christ-like way---loving, compassionate, humble, self-sacrificing, etc.” CCA “The anthropocentric (putting antropos = man, in the center) view of the world needs to be increasingly challenged.” CCA

Blood Sports Condemned “We forbid soldiers and all other persons, whether on foot or horseback, to dare to contend with bulls or other beasts in the afore- mentioned exhibitions; and if any one of them meets his death there he shall be deprived of Christian burial… We likewise forbid the Clergy…to be present at such exhibitions under the penalty of excommunication.” De Salute Gregis, Pope St. Pius V, Nov. 1567

The Power of Humankind “Cruelty to animals is as if man did not love God…There is something so dreadful, so Satanic, in tormenting those who have never harmed us, and who cannot defend themselves, who are utterly in our power.” Cardinal John Henry Newman

Human Abuse of Dominion Over Animals “…cruelty is not only a denial of the animal’s nature, but a betrayal of our own. If we are defined by reason and morality, then reason and morality must define our choices, even where animals are concerned.” Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy, by Matthew Scully

Complacency of Israel “Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall!” Amos 6:4

Jesus Can Lead Us “I believe in my heart that faith in Jesus Christ can and will lead us beyond an exclusive concern for the well-being of other human beings to a broader concern for the well-being of the birds in our backyards, the fish in our rivers, and every living creature on the face of the earth.” Rev. John Wesley, Founder of Methodism

Creation Is Waiting “For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now…” Romans 8:19-22

The New Earth “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

The Lord’s Prayer “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

God’s Peaceable Kingdom

Question Have we been deceived by the lies we’ve been given concerning God’s creatures? Are we truly living in God’s Kingdom?

Christian Concern For All God’s Creatures This video is based on Scripture and the reality of what God’s animals endure for us. It is an excellent educational documentary for Universities, Seminaries and Churches. It includes resources and questions for discussion. It can be also be seen online without the questions and resources.

We’re Responsible? “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

What Can We Do? • Teach and preach by word and example: 1) Compassion for all of God’s creatures 2) Our responsibility and relationship to God’s animals 3) Biblical truths concerning animals. • Have a Veterinary Charity Fund • Allow individuals/the local shelter and/or rescue group to put pictures of adoptable animals on bulletin boards to find good homes.

What Can We Do? • Honor volunteers in your community who help animals • Have a pet-sitter list to help people with their pets. • Read (and sign if you wish) the Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion written by religious leaders, hosted by Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org/signproc) • View HSUS’ campaign “Creatures Great and Small” (and sign if you wish) http://allcreatures.hsus.org

Moral Choices • Do not purchase puppies from pet stores • Learn about food and our health, and animal research at www.PCRM.org • Limit meat and dairy products. • Avoid circuses, rodeos, dog racing, etc. • Avoid buying fur.

Furry Friend Fundraiser Walk Every year GCM has a Furry Friend Fundraiser Walk to raise money for the Vet Charity Fund. Ask about our ‘Walk a Mile’ to raise money in your area. Contact Godscre@msn.com for more information. It’s very easy to do!

Speak Out For Animals

God Knows…Animals Matter: A Christian View of God’s Creatures