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Animals on the Agenda: Questions about Animals for Theology and Ethics
This encyclopedic volume is the most comprehensive collection of original
studies on animals and theology ever published. Contributors from both
sides of the Atlantic tackle fundamental questions about theology and
how it is put into practice.
Do animals have immortal souls? Does Christ's reconciling work include
animals? Contributors address these issues and more in the context of
scriptural perspectives, the Christian tradition, historical disputes,
and obligations to animals.
As Andrew Linzey points out in his introduction, it cannot be right for
theological practitioners to carry on their business as though the world
of animals were invisible. Mainstream Christianity still propagates a
range of ideas about animals that are hugely detrimental to their status
and welfare. This important volume argues that it is time for a change.
studies on animals and theology ever published. Contributors from both
sides of the Atlantic tackle fundamental questions about theology and
how it is put into practice.
Do animals have immortal souls? Does Christ's reconciling work include
animals? Contributors address these issues and more in the context of
scriptural perspectives, the Christian tradition, historical disputes,
and obligations to animals.
As Andrew Linzey points out in his introduction, it cannot be right for
theological practitioners to carry on their business as though the world
of animals were invisible. Mainstream Christianity still propagates a
range of ideas about animals that are hugely detrimental to their status
and welfare. This important volume argues that it is time for a change.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 30, 2012
I was super-stoked to dig into this one and it was one which was more anticipated than many others I have waited for. Now I express my bitter disappointment :(
Linzey starts off by saying his 'hope is that in, say, ten, twenty, or thirty years, most authors will be pleased but also embarrassed by their contribution to this collection. . . . Embarrassed because what true pioneers most love is for others to go even further than they have done and leave them behind. That we are still at the beginning of asking theological questions about animals is painfully obvious.' (p.xx)
We are now 21(ish) years later and I am thankful that the topic of animal theology has developed far above most of the content expressed in this book. Aside from some solid contributions by Linzey, Richard Bauckham, Huw Spanner, and a couple of others, there seemed to be many words written but few convicting arguments. Maybe it is my fault for being so disappointed though; I fully expected this to be a book about 'Christian' theology, which in many aspects it clearly wasnt. Many of the essays can be adequately summed up by the words of Jay McDaniel (p.170): 'what I am suggesting is immensely speculative. In some respects it may resemble Buddhist and Hindu points of view rather than Christian.'
For a much better systematic treatment of Christian animal theology, you will have to look elsewhere, notably David Clough's, 'On Animals: A Systematic Theology Vol. 1'.
Sorry Linzey, I appreciate your efforts into this important field, just not this this one.
Linzey starts off by saying his 'hope is that in, say, ten, twenty, or thirty years, most authors will be pleased but also embarrassed by their contribution to this collection. . . . Embarrassed because what true pioneers most love is for others to go even further than they have done and leave them behind. That we are still at the beginning of asking theological questions about animals is painfully obvious.' (p.xx)
We are now 21(ish) years later and I am thankful that the topic of animal theology has developed far above most of the content expressed in this book. Aside from some solid contributions by Linzey, Richard Bauckham, Huw Spanner, and a couple of others, there seemed to be many words written but few convicting arguments. Maybe it is my fault for being so disappointed though; I fully expected this to be a book about 'Christian' theology, which in many aspects it clearly wasnt. Many of the essays can be adequately summed up by the words of Jay McDaniel (p.170): 'what I am suggesting is immensely speculative. In some respects it may resemble Buddhist and Hindu points of view rather than Christian.'
For a much better systematic treatment of Christian animal theology, you will have to look elsewhere, notably David Clough's, 'On Animals: A Systematic Theology Vol. 1'.
Sorry Linzey, I appreciate your efforts into this important field, just not this this one.
March 13, 2009
Anthology examining the place of animals in the Christian tradition. Biblical, historical, and ethical perspectives. An excellent collection.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews