Animal Theology

by Andrew Linzey

Book Overview

"What are we to say of a theology which has so proceeded on the basis of a moral neglet of God's creatures?" asks Andrew Linzey. In Animal Theology, he seeks ways in which doctrine can help morally motivated Christians to perceive meaning in animal suffering.

In Linzey's view, animal rights is synonymous with animal theology. Linzey argues that historical theology, creatively defined, must reject humanocentricity. Questioning the assumption...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0252064674
• ISBN13: 9780252064678
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

and God created everything and said it was 'good'

This is a superb book that simply points out that the God that created the heavens, earth, and humans, also created pigs, chickens, cows, armadillos, spiders and salamanders. From here, Linzey argues that Christians must have some sort of relationship with these creatures that tells the world that we think God created them, and that they are good, and that they have some sort of implicit good within themselves beyond what we take from them. They are our covenant partners (biblical language) that only become food, medicine, and clothing for us after the fall. This is a significant theological point for any of those people wanting to provide an example of what it means to live as a witness to the peaceable kingdom. This is a great place to start reading about what it means for us to think about discipleship in light of other creatures on this planet.

THEOLOGY FOR OUR FELLOW BEINGS

EXCELLENT BOOK! First of all please get the masterpiece Animal Gospel which a MUST buy for ANYONE interested in animal rights, which is written by the same author. This author is a British priest and theologian and his life's mission IS animal rights (besides being a priest for human beings). Both these books are outstanding and Animal Gospel being the ULTIMATE argument in defense of animals. (Also please see "Why Animal Suffering Matters" by the same author that takes the argument to the next level.) This book sometimes gets technical in its theological theme, but it is much more than theology--Linzey is all about reason and justice, and you really have to read the passion for reason and justice and the tremendous insight that this theologian has for animals. It is Reverend Linzey who says that animals deserve PRIORITY and major consideration in our society (he goes beyond Singer in both this book and especially in Animal Gospel) because they are the most vulnerable in our society. This is even beyond PETA that goes by Singer!!! Incredible!!! Linzey jumpstarted the animal rights movement and EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT Christian or are sour to the Christian treatment of animals, these books--ESPECIALLY Animal Gospel will give you plenty of extra insight and AMUNITION with which to go out into the world and take the tremendous challenges much better than by reading lay books alone. Don't be fooled by the Christian label (except for Animal Theology that DOES indeed have it's Christian imprint) because there is SO MUCH INSIGHT TO USE EVEN if you are shy or repelled by Christianity and animal rights in the same sentence. Reverend Linzey gets to the very root of value when it comes to WHY people view non-humans as inferior which leads to the use of animals for experimentation. He gets to the very root of the horrors of bioengineering and our blase acceptance of engineered mice or other animals, and so much more that is VERY suitable for the non religious person or those from another religion that want to avoid Christian theology. You practically have all the arguments spelled out for you. He explains (why) this problem needs to be addressed with the lawmakers rather than waste TOO much time convincing the vivisectors. Can animals be USED at all, he asks? That's a really tough question because upon what criteria do we base any judgment? According to Reverend Andrew Linzey, animals can be used ONLY if THEY BENEFIT--which eliminates the vast majority of ways we use animals in our society. Now really, isn't this great? This book is an astonishingly intelligent argument for animal liberation. Animal Gospel, Animal Theology AND Why Animal Suffering Matters are MUST buys for those interested in pursing the fight against animal abuse in medicine and for animal liberation. For the younger folks out there, please believe me. When I was young (still a teenager) and it was basically me against the medical institution or establishment (that's how

"ANIMA" = "SOUL"

Just add an "L" to "ANIMA" and you have...."ANIMAL" And actually, aren't we humans "animals" too? Sure! We're mammals!! Nothin to be ashamed of! And we, who are (well, SHOULD be!) the benevolent caretakers of the world, resonate with all of creation, animal, vegetable, mineral (interesting that Jesus once said "These Stones will speak!" -- if stones can do it, then why not animals, who have more of a soul (IMHO) than a Stone.) This is a great book. Thought-provoking, has many "AHA!" moments. When we realize that our existence is TIGHTLY woven around the existence of every other God-created being on this earth, then perhaps one day (soon I hope) the word Man"KIND" will actually mean exactly that!!! And let's face it -- Adam and Eve were NOT thrown out of the Garden of Eden for anything the animals had done! (let's ignore the snake, who was actually Old Scratch in disguise) So "Be kind to animals -- for you NEVER know when you may be entertaining Angels Unawares". I recommend this book for ANYONE, even those who do not profess any religion.

The image of a servant

Linzey approaches animal rights from a Biblical Christian perspective. He points out that in the garden of Eden Adam and Eve were totally vegan, as were all the animals. This therefore represents an ideal state of creation, which one day it can return to ("The lion will lie down with the lamb.."). Meat eating was allowed after the flood because of sin, and should be regarded as an emergency necessity rather than part of God's overall plan. If meat eating is not necessary for health (as it isn't in much of the world), then animals should be left alone. Linzey also refutes those who say that God gave us "dominion" over other living things, pointing out that the Bible points to Christ as an example of how "dominion" should be exercised. Christ used his superior ability to help human kind and to sacrifice Himself on our behalf, not to rule over us like a petty tyrant. I have always thought this myself, but it will certainly give me more confidence when arguing against evangelical fundamentalists to know that my opinions are backed up by an Oxford Professor of theology.Linzey goes further than Singer or Regan in our duties to animals. He agrees with Regan that we differ from other animals as moral agents (though he doesn't use the term), since we are created in God's image. He then goes on to say that just as God became a servant for us, that the "image" we are created in is the image of a servant, not a dictator. Thus, far from using our privileged status with the Almighty as an excuse for tyranny over our less fortunate animal friends, we are obliged to show animals not equal consideration, but MORE consideration than ourselves, simply because we are the stronger species, in the same way that parents always should put their childrens' interests above their own. In conclusion, I found the book to be worthwhile, and would recommend it to anyone interested in animals rights and Christianity. Unlike many books on animal rights, it was free form anger or condemnation against those doing the exploitation . The author succeeds in loving the sinner while hating the sin.

A very interesting book

A great read for anyone interested in religion and animal rights. It's a wonderful reference for spirituality and AR discussions.