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Animal Gospel
Our treatment of animals is a gospel issue, Andrew Linzey contends, because those individuals and institutions that could have become the voice of God's most vulnerable creatures have instead justified cruelty and oppression. He offers an inspiring personal account of the gospel truths that have sustained his commitment to the cause of animals for more than twenty-five years.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 31, 2015
As a person who to some degree fights on behalf of animals one is bound to hear things like how we shouldn't waste our energy trying to help "mere dumb brutes." Where this is most disconcerting to me is when it comes from a Christian, one who believes in "the God of creation" and in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Often you hear as an excuse/reason from these folks that God gave man dominion over all the animals and that means that man can do whatever he damn well pleases to the nonhuman world. This has always seemed like short sighted, self-serving, humanocentric rubbish to me. Did God so love the world that he created or just one creature within the entire universe?
Andrew Linzey addresses these thoughts and so much more in this book. In it he points out that the biblical evidence that humans should love more of creation than just his fellow man can be found from Genesis to Jesus to Paul. And in loving "the least of these" man does not handicap himself from loving his fellow man - in fact, loving the least just opens up a broader, more powerful love, one that represents the Creator more accurately than the predominant human-centered view found in churches and non-churches alike.
Personally, I am encouraged by Linzey's work. I feel disgust at a church that so frequently seems to be about judging others and puffing up oneself and one's church and so little about compassion, love, redemption. Linzey himself is great evidence that there are Christians who "get" the Gospel message but he also makes a convincing case for a different relationship between God, humans, the church, the world at large, and animals in particular. I myself no longer identify with the church per se and do not agree with everything Linzey says (early on he seems to say that theism and nihilism are the only options, for example) but found this book to be well worth reading and one, if it were read and grasped by more of the church, that could have a beautiful impact on the world at large and especially our nonhuman family.
Andrew Linzey addresses these thoughts and so much more in this book. In it he points out that the biblical evidence that humans should love more of creation than just his fellow man can be found from Genesis to Jesus to Paul. And in loving "the least of these" man does not handicap himself from loving his fellow man - in fact, loving the least just opens up a broader, more powerful love, one that represents the Creator more accurately than the predominant human-centered view found in churches and non-churches alike.
Personally, I am encouraged by Linzey's work. I feel disgust at a church that so frequently seems to be about judging others and puffing up oneself and one's church and so little about compassion, love, redemption. Linzey himself is great evidence that there are Christians who "get" the Gospel message but he also makes a convincing case for a different relationship between God, humans, the church, the world at large, and animals in particular. I myself no longer identify with the church per se and do not agree with everything Linzey says (early on he seems to say that theism and nihilism are the only options, for example) but found this book to be well worth reading and one, if it were read and grasped by more of the church, that could have a beautiful impact on the world at large and especially our nonhuman family.
July 30, 2024
AN ANGLICAN PRIEST AND THEOLOGIAN DEFENDS ANIMAL RIGHTS
Andrew Linzey has also written books such as 'Creatures of the Same God: Explorations in Animal Theology,' 'Why Animal Suffering Matters: Philosophy, Theology, and Practical Ethics,' 'Animal Theology,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1998 book, "In this book I present my own vision of the Christian gospel and how it can illuminate our understanding of our relationship with animals... This book is also about a struggle---a struggle, as I see it, against the blindness and indifference of Christians and the Churches to the sufferings of animals... This book speaks of ... my inner conviction that Christ-like discipleship is singularly tested in compassion to the Christ-like sufferings of the weakest of all... This book, then, is written for these people who feel despairing about the Church and who desperately need to see beyond the Church to the gospel which the Church itself has not infrequently obscured." (Pg. 1-4)
He begins the first chapter by outlining his "five articles of faith": "First, to stand for Jesus is to stand for animals as God's creatures, against all purely humanistic or utilitarian accounts of animals as things, commodities, resources, here for us... Second, to stand for Jesus is to stand for active compassion for the weak, against the principle that might is right... Third, to stand for Jesus is to stand for the Christ-like innocence of animals, against the intrinsic evil of cruelty... Fourth, to stand for Jesus is to stand for a ministry of reconciliation to the whole of creation, against the powers of darkness... Finally, to stand for Jesus is to stand for God's justice and the final release of all creation from bondage to decay, against the moral hopelessness and despair that characterize our time." (Pg. 11-15)
He argues, "What has not been seen is that the love of God is inclusive not only of humans but also all creatures... Now is the time for Christians to realize that we cannot love God and have the Creator's nonhuman creatures." (Pg. 21) He admits, however, that "I, for one, do not want to deny that humans are unique, superior, even, in a sense, of 'special value' in creation." (Pg. 38) He also confesses, "I have been a vegetarian for thirty years, many of which I have spent trying to be a vegan... I have failed." (Pg. 78)
He suggests, "Can we change from institutionalized systems of exploitation to nonexploitative ones? Can the great multinationals that gobble up millions of animals every year really be turned around? I think the answer is yes, and---with God's help---it can and will be done." (Pg. 126) He concludes, "At the end of the day, commercial exploitation of animals flourishes because it makes money. The engine that drives all the principal fields of animal abuse in every area---from commercial horseracing to the production of new drugs---is capitalism." (Pg. 136-137)
This is a fascinating, creative, and provocative examination of the matter of animal rights from a unique perspective: namely, a theological one. It will be of interest not only to theologians and animal rights advocates, but to all persons concerned with the natural world.
Andrew Linzey has also written books such as 'Creatures of the Same God: Explorations in Animal Theology,' 'Why Animal Suffering Matters: Philosophy, Theology, and Practical Ethics,' 'Animal Theology,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1998 book, "In this book I present my own vision of the Christian gospel and how it can illuminate our understanding of our relationship with animals... This book is also about a struggle---a struggle, as I see it, against the blindness and indifference of Christians and the Churches to the sufferings of animals... This book speaks of ... my inner conviction that Christ-like discipleship is singularly tested in compassion to the Christ-like sufferings of the weakest of all... This book, then, is written for these people who feel despairing about the Church and who desperately need to see beyond the Church to the gospel which the Church itself has not infrequently obscured." (Pg. 1-4)
He begins the first chapter by outlining his "five articles of faith": "First, to stand for Jesus is to stand for animals as God's creatures, against all purely humanistic or utilitarian accounts of animals as things, commodities, resources, here for us... Second, to stand for Jesus is to stand for active compassion for the weak, against the principle that might is right... Third, to stand for Jesus is to stand for the Christ-like innocence of animals, against the intrinsic evil of cruelty... Fourth, to stand for Jesus is to stand for a ministry of reconciliation to the whole of creation, against the powers of darkness... Finally, to stand for Jesus is to stand for God's justice and the final release of all creation from bondage to decay, against the moral hopelessness and despair that characterize our time." (Pg. 11-15)
He argues, "What has not been seen is that the love of God is inclusive not only of humans but also all creatures... Now is the time for Christians to realize that we cannot love God and have the Creator's nonhuman creatures." (Pg. 21) He admits, however, that "I, for one, do not want to deny that humans are unique, superior, even, in a sense, of 'special value' in creation." (Pg. 38) He also confesses, "I have been a vegetarian for thirty years, many of which I have spent trying to be a vegan... I have failed." (Pg. 78)
He suggests, "Can we change from institutionalized systems of exploitation to nonexploitative ones? Can the great multinationals that gobble up millions of animals every year really be turned around? I think the answer is yes, and---with God's help---it can and will be done." (Pg. 126) He concludes, "At the end of the day, commercial exploitation of animals flourishes because it makes money. The engine that drives all the principal fields of animal abuse in every area---from commercial horseracing to the production of new drugs---is capitalism." (Pg. 136-137)
This is a fascinating, creative, and provocative examination of the matter of animal rights from a unique perspective: namely, a theological one. It will be of interest not only to theologians and animal rights advocates, but to all persons concerned with the natural world.
February 3, 2015
I'm not a person of faith but wanted to read this most celebrated book of Linzey's. I've begun a mission of reaching out to area clergy (of all faiths) with the intention that they read the used copies (animal advocate on a tight budget) of this and The World Peace Diet (not a diet book with recipes) and be receptive to offering Adult Sunday school (and clergy) classes on the subject. Preaching it too. Churches of all faiths have remained silent about or, like Pope John Paul II's Catechism, strongly affirm the moral rightness of using animals in any way--to eat, wear, imprison (zoos), entertain (circuses), experiment and test on, teach medical students, clone--for human benefit far too long. In short, they share a dismal record of teaching unconditional love and compassion to ALL beings.
Christianity and its Gospel is what Linzey takes on expertly in this book, but it can apply to any faith. He offers clear, bold strategies to enact change and ample evidence in the Gospel that ALL beings are God's precious creations; as such, humans are called upon to care for, protect, and cherish His most vulnerable, defenseless, voiceless, and innocent ones.
Christianity and its Gospel is what Linzey takes on expertly in this book, but it can apply to any faith. He offers clear, bold strategies to enact change and ample evidence in the Gospel that ALL beings are God's precious creations; as such, humans are called upon to care for, protect, and cherish His most vulnerable, defenseless, voiceless, and innocent ones.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews