I grew up in the city, without pets. My appreciation for animals developed much later in life. In fact, if it weren't for a Golden Retriever named Rusty that I got for my children in 2004, I might never have made my journey toward animals. Rusty was the domestic dog everyone should have—loving, playful, and eager to delight. He was no Lassie, but he was enough smart. Presently, Rusty was part of the family.

Rusty made a catechumen out of me. He taught me that there are no bad dogs, merely bad owners who make dogs, and many other animals, bad. Animals practice what they do. They are innocent even in their cruelty considering they have no concept of morality. Morality is the territory of humans. We have the knowledge of good and evil, and we can choose between the two.

Rusty taught me that animals deserve my respect and care. He helped me empathise that animals are likewise uniquely God'south creatures. When I considered the instruction of the Bible near animals from the perspective of my relationship with Rusty, I gained a new appreciation for all animals.

The Bible teaches us that God created animals. They aren't the production of happenstance or fortuitous natural processes any more than humans are. Genesis 1:24-25 says God created the animals, from the beasts of the globe to the creeping insects. Scripture even tells us that the breath of life resides within them (Gen. 7:15). By virtue of our creation in the image of God, we humans are uniquely special in comparing to all of creation, but that does not mean the rest of creation has no value to God or that he doesn't bask it.

When God created animals, he declared their creation to be "good" (Gen. 1:25). At the conclusion of the cosmos account in Genesis 1, God looked at "all he had made" and declared it "very good" (v. 31). Creation was "very good" when considered in its totality, non just in reference to humans. Humans are the crowning achievement of God's creative activity, and as his image bearers, we possess something of the divine that nothing else in creation possesses, but we should not let that truth cloud our appreciation for the residual of cosmos or diminish our responsibilities toward information technology.

Here, I offering ten biblical truths well-nigh animals that should impact how we call up virtually them and how we treat them.

one. God communicates with animals

This is the best explanation for the migration of the animals to Noah's ark. In Genesis, God told Noah to build an ark in club to relieve himself, his family, and the land-dwelling creatures from the coming flood. However, he didn't tell Noah to go out and round upwards the animals. He told him to bring them into the ark (Gen. 6:nineteen), which meant to only receive them. When it was fourth dimension for the inundation to brainstorm, the text says the animals "went into the ark to Noah" (Gen. vii:9). The only caption for the actions of the animals is that God drew them to the ark. God communicated with them directly, and they responded.

Another example of God communicating with animals tin exist plant in the experience of the prophet Elijah. When Elijah fled from Ahab, king of State of israel, he went to an area e of the Jordan River. The Bible says God allowable ravens to bring him food while he was at that place, and they did (one Kings 17:4-half-dozen).

These examples don't tell u.s. that God is in regular communication with the animals, but they brand clear that such communication has occurred. It is certainly plausible that God interacts with animals more than we realize.

2. God cares nearly the well-being of animals

We often quote Matthew ten:29-31 to emphasize God'south business for humans. In this passage, Jesus helped his listeners grasp the extent of God'due south business organization for them: If God cares nigh the death of a mutual bird, he certainly cares about the needs of humans. That isn't all we learn from this passage, even so. Jesus also gave us insight into God's mental attitude toward animals. True, humans are "more valuable" than a common fiddling bird, but Jesus didn't say that animals accept no value to God. In comparison to humans, the little sparrow has little value, but God still values the life of that little sparrow plenty to exist moved past its expiry.

It isn't merely that God notices the sparrow's decease, like one might detect that the wind is blowing. Jesus wanted his listeners to sympathise that God is emotionally invested in that sparrow. He cares about what happens to it; he simply cares more than virtually what happens to people. Once we acknowledge that God is emotionally invested in birds, i.east., animals, as well every bit humans, we are now talking only well-nigh a divergence in the degree to which he is, not whether or not he is.

The story of Jonah too offers insight into God's concern for animals. Afterwards Jonah preached and the people of Nineveh repented, Jonah expressed his displeasure at God's decision non to send destructive judgment on the people. In confronting Jonah near his difficult-hearted attitude, God reminded Jonah that not simply have 120,000 people been spared, "many animals" were also spared (Jonah four:11). The well-being of these animals mattered to God.

In addition, Scripture teaches that God is personally involved in feeding the animals. Psalm 104:14 is instructive hither. It says God "causes" the grass to abound for the cattle. The Hebrew text uses the causative form of the verb "to grow" to reveal this. God isn't simply passively watching nature take care of its own. Verse 21 continues this theme when it says the young lions "seek their nutrient from God." Pulling these individual examples together, the psalmist speaks of animals in full general, proverb, "They all await for You lot (God) to give them their nutrient in due season" (v. 27).

3. God enjoys animals

In Psalm 104:31, the psalmist alleged, "Let the Lord be glad in his works." Clearly the statement speaks broadly of all that God has created, merely it is preceded by a long description of God'southward interaction with animals—wild goats, rock badgers, beasts of the forest, young lions, animals both small and groovy (see vv. 18-xxx). In a few more verses, the psalmist used this same word translated "glad" to describe his own joy in God. He said emphatically, "I shall be glad in the Lord" (Ps. 104:34).

It isn't hard to fathom that animals bring God joy when we consider the joy we become from watching our own children. We even savor watching animals with whom we have no creative connection. Given that, it is understandable that the ane who created all things would enjoy them.

4. Animals reveal God'due south sovereignty

When Task complained that God had mistreated him, God pointed to creation to help Job understand his sovereignty. Animals figure prominently in his response to Task's attempted indictment. God reminded Job that information technology is he who provides for the animals (Chore 38:39-41). He appointed them their place in creation (Chore 39:6). God also pointed out that he is more powerful than the feared Behemoth and Leviathan by the very fact that he is their creator (Job twoscore:nineteen; 41:10). While they may be beyond Chore'due south reach, they are not across God's.

In response, Job acknowledged God's sovereignty. He said, "I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:half-dozen). The fact God used examples from the animal world to convince Job of his sovereignty suggests strongly that this is part of God's intended purpose for his creation of animals. God has built wonder into animals, and by pattern, they indicate humanity to him as the not bad and only sovereign.

5. Animals bring glory and praise to God

In Psalm 148, the psalmist called on everything to praise the Lord. He included in this call sea monsters, beasts, cattle, creeping things and birds (vv. vii, 10). The final poetry of the last psalm of the unabridged psalter reads: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" (Ps. 150:half-dozen). Even though they don't practice so with words, animals notwithstanding bring glory and praise to God.

By their very being animals: (1) Betoken to God as creator. Animals are every bit much the production of God'south creative energy as any other office of creation. (2) Point to God as love. God loves life and so much he creates it in seeming endless diversity. (3) Point to God as designer. Animals fill a crucial part of the symbiotic relationship between all of creation. (4) Bespeak to God equally artist. Animals are a living brandish of the natural beauty God has built into creation.

six. Animals are reasoning creatures

Some deny that animals are capable of reasoning. They adopt to credit instinct for their decision making skills. They believe that animals are "equally smart as they need to be" to survive. I believe this is merely not accurate. Animals are smarter than they need to exist. I have witnessed my dogs on many occasions trying to communicate with me. They brand up for their lack of language past finding other ways through their reasoning abilities to communicate their will.

In the Bible, God reveals animal intelligence through the unusual encounter of Balaam with his ass (Num. 22:21-33). In that incident, the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and moved aside. Balaam became angry with the donkey because information technology wouldn't obey him. Yet the Affections of the Lord credited the ass'south quick thinking for Balaam's deliverance. He declared, "The ass saw me and turned bated from me these iii times. If she had not turned bated from me, I would surely have killed you" (five. 33). The donkey recognized the danger and fabricated a decision to go out of the way of the Affections, whom Balaam couldn't fifty-fifty come across.

Furthermore, we have all seen animals employ tools to get food. They don't need to use tools to eat. They have sources that don't require the use of tools, but they have the reasoning capacity to know that a tool will help them get nutrient. As well, we have all seen animals run from danger. How does an animal know information technology'southward in danger? It must understand something nigh life in order to seek to protect itself. Nosotros credit reason for man responses to avoiding danger. Why wouldn't we credit animals with reason when they do the same matter?

We cannot completely eliminate the concept of instinct every bit we recollect near animals, but at the same time, nosotros shouldn't rule out the bear witness that animals are likewise capable of reason.

7. Animals may have a more than astute sensation of spiritual reality than we realize

The incident of Balaam and his ass brings into focus another insight about animals. Information technology reveals that it is possible for animals to encounter angels (Num. 22:21-33). In that incident, Balaam was spared death at the hands of the Angel of the Lord because Balaam's donkey "turned aside" when it saw the angel. The text does not say the Angel of the Lord revealed his presence to the donkey. It tells us simply that the donkey saw the Angel.

Humans see angels when the angels want to reveal themselves. The ass saw the Angel of the Lord without his self-revelation. In fact, judging from the Angel's comments to Balaam (come across v. 33), the donkey was really acting contrary to the Angel's intentions. We could sympathise it if the Affections said he wanted the donkey to assistance Balaam avert the fate he had planned for him. But the text does not say that. A plain reading of the text suggests that the donkey was really frustrating the programme of the Angel. The ass saw the Affections without the Angel's assistance.

This conclusion gains further support when we see that the Lord had to empower the ass to speak (v. 28). If Moses recognized the need to tell the reader the Lord empowered the ass to speak, he could just as hands have said the Lord enabled the ass to see the Angel of the Lord. All the same, he doesn't tell u.s.a. that.

While we should not attempt to develop a major doctrine effectually this unmarried event, it withal raises meaning questions most our understanding of the relationship of animals to the spiritual world.

8. Animals have the chapters to savour life

The psalmist was lighthearted when he described the joy animals feel. In Psalm 104, he said God formed the sea creature Leviathan "to play" in the sea (v. 26). The Hebrew discussion translated "play" occurs adequately regularly in Scripture. King David used this discussion to describe his celebration equally the ark of God was being brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel six:21). He was ecstatic. The psalmist said this fauna of the sea tin can too be ecstatic.

The volume of Chore supplies boosted insight. In that location, God, himself, described the joy animals experience. He mentioned the ostrich flapping its wings "joyously" (Job 39:13), and the beasts of the field "playing" in their surroundings (Job 40:twenty).

This isn't some foreign concept to us. We have all seen animals playing. The testimony of Scripture and our own experience remind usa that animals are more than than automatons driven by instinct. They are beings with the capacity for joy.

nine. Animals teach us about the nature of justice

In Robert Bolt'southward play, A Man for All Seasons, Sir Thomas More than delivers a brilliant summation of God'due south purpose for creating the angels, animals, plants, and humanity. Regarding animals, he observes God created them "for their innocence." Information technology is difficult to observe a better description of animals than this. Animals appear to lack the capacity for moral reflection. They simply practice what they do. Scripture supports this understanding. It was humans who ate from the tree of the cognition of skilful and evil, non animals (Gen. iii:one-7).

This observation of fauna innocence is not only important for our agreement of animals. Information technology also helps united states understand our sense of justice. When nosotros enquire why we are offended by cruelty to animals, we recognize we are reacting to an innate sense inside us that is repulsed past wanton violations of their innocence and vulnerability. This recognition helps us understand some of our motivations for our criminal justice system. When we punish acts of aggression confronting our fellow humans, we are responding to violations of their innocence and vulnerability. Such violations should be punished. Our sense of justice demands it.

Furthermore, nosotros larn near divine justice from animals. State of israel's biblically mandated practice of substitutionary atonement provides this lesson. Scripture teaches that rebellion against God is sin. God'due south holiness demands a penalty in response to this rebellion. In other words, God requires justice. Either the guilty person or an adequate substitute must answer for human sin. God created the sacrificial organisation in Israel to help his people understand this reality. He allowable that this organization regularly impale innocent animals in society to satisfy the demands of his divine justice (Lev. sixteen:i-34). The innocent animals would comport the sin of the people. This bloody brandish served every bit a symbol for what was yet to come—when the innocent Son of God would offering himself every bit the true, eternal, substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of all humanity (Rom. 3:21-26; two Cor. 5:21; Heb. 10:one-18).

10. Animals vest to God

Psalm 24:1 states without reservation—"The earth is the Lord'due south, and all it contains." This fact is repeated regularly in Scripture. While God commanded the first homo and woman to "dominion over" every living thing (Gen. 1:26), He was non relinquishing buying of every living thing.

In fact, God did not relinquish ownership of annihilation (Col. 1:16; Rom. xi:36; Heb. ii:10). He put the human being and the woman in the Garden to "cultivate it and go on information technology" (Gen. 2:fifteen). He fifty-fifty gave humans authorisation over it, and afterward the Flood, he gave united states of america all of the rest of creation for food. But none of this assignment of authority and power included a transfer of ownership. Humans serve a stewardship part toward creation, not an ownership role (Gen. 2:15). This stewardship pertains to everything and is intended to include an attitude of respect (Lev. 25:3-five; Num. 35:33). The animals are subject to humans, only they are not ours to do with as we will. They vest to God (Job 41:11; Ps. fifty:10-eleven).

Determination

The reader volition no uncertainty find that most of my biblical references are from the Hebrew Scriptures. When one looks to the New Testament for evidence of the place of animals in God'southward cosmos, in that location is less to work with. There are expert reasons for this dearth. First, the New Attestation is built on the revelation before information technology. It assumes the foundation of the Hebrew Scriptures. So, there is no demand to repeat what has been previously stated. Unless the New Attestation affirms that its teachings supplant the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures, we are to take their infallible guidance and truth as we exercise those of the New Testament. 2d, the New Testament is dealing principally with the institution of the church. The writings that comprise it are mostly related to the immediate demands of this endeavor.

Cartoon from this entire biblical witness, nosotros tin can make some important conclusions nearly how to think about animals. Start, nosotros must recognize that animals may very well be co-inheritors with us of the new cosmos. When we consider that animals were function of God'due south original design for his creation, it is plausible that they are role of his eternal design, besides. In his alphabetic character to the church at Rome, the Campaigner Paul said all of creation was subjected to the corrupting furnishings of the Fall and that the day is coming when it too shall exist freed from this corruption (Rom. 8:eighteen-22). At that place is no reason to suspect that animals are not office of this vision of a redeemed creation. The prophet Isaiah saw a mean solar day when humans and animals would live one time once again in perfect harmony (Is. 11:half-dozen-9). The Apostle Paul may be telling usa this is a vision of eternity, non only of the millennium.

I'll confess that I am not one who believes that animals go to sky when they die. I don't see any biblical testify for this. But given these statements from Isaiah and Paul, nosotros should give more than consideration to the place of animals in eternity. They may not be the same animals we have come up to love in our lifetimes, only information technology seems they have a future across the Autumn. Whether nosotros are talking just virtually the millennium or well-nigh all of eternity, animals deserve to be treated with the dignity such a hereafter bestows.

Second, we must lose some of our anthropocentric view of creation and replace information technology with a theocentric view, where God is engaged with all of creation, non only humanity. While a theocentric view of creation should not cause us to equate humans with the rest of creation, it should cause the states to treat the balance of creation with more respect. God is interested in all of creation, not merely humans. After the Flood, he covenanted with all flesh on the world, including the animals, never again to destroy the earth with a flood (Gen. 9:11-17). The fact that God would enter into a covenant with the animals tells us something of his honey for them. We, therefore, should be more concerned nigh all of creation, including animals, besides.

3rd, these biblical truths about animals hateful nosotros should exist engaged in activities that help the rest of cosmos fulfill God'southward design and interest in it. Peradventure, we don't know all that ways. For example, who would have guessed that God would utilise the ravens to feed his prophet? He might very well be doing similar things in some role of the globe today. Consequently, we should aid to empower creation, not every bit its slaves or its equals, but every bit its caretakers.

Quaternary, we must abandon unbiblical notions near animals and embrace a more than biblical view of our animal co-inhabitants. The Bible compels u.s. to develop a better appreciation and respect for them. I'chiliad glad scientific discipline is revealing many enlightening truths well-nigh the creature world. Simply information technology is clear that Scripture has already revealed much of what scientific discipline is discovering. Animals are much more complex than they at showtime appear to be. Nosotros should do all nosotros can to meliorate understand them and their place in God'southward creation. It will not merely be good for them, just united states of america as well.

God put animals on the planet and gave them a mandate as well. Role of the human calling is to help them fulfill this mandate in a manner that enables them to accomplish their full potential in creation. They not only enrich our lives. They point to the creator of all things. Animals are not only worthy of our respect. They deserve it.

Barrett Duke

Barrett Duke is now the executive director of the Montana Southern Baptist Convention. He is the quondam vice president for Public Policy and Research at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Read More past this Writer