Skip to main content

Man And Beast


So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground. (Genesis 1:27-28) 


A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel (Proverbs 12:10) 


          Today is an interesting day in history. It is Humane Day, the anniversary of the founding of the ASPCA. It's also the birthday of William Booth, who cofounded the Salvation Army. It could be said that today is really all about caring for those with whom we share our lives.
          Some people seem to think the verses from Genesis quoted above are all about power and its abuse. That's how they see everything. They teach that animals should be seen as people in fur coats. Ingrid Newkirk (one of the founders of PETA) is quoted as saying, "...a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy."[1] Some claim that animal "rights" should take precedence over human rights. Because they reduce humans to the status  of "intelligent animals," these people claim we are obligated to work and even sacrifice on the behalf of all other animals. This is why it's illegal to harm a sea turtle egg, and the whole world is called to shame a person who mistreats a dog, but it's perfectly acceptable (even noble) to abort a human.
          This is not what Scripture teaches. Genesis 1 teaches that we are to see to the needs of our animals and our world. To that extent we agree with those who advocate ecological responsibility. Righteousness requires that we care for each other and for our animals. Such care does not confuse animals with people. It does not conflate animals/nature with God. It does not grant people the right to exercise power over other people, even in the name of saving the planet. Such care is in accordance with the needs and nature of each individual person or animal in obedience to God. May Humane Day (and every day) be a day in which you practice the best of humanity among those you meet.

 

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On the Calendar:
Human Day (ASPCA)
Birthday of
William Booth (cofounder of Salvation Army)

 


[1] Washingtonian magazine, 1986 August 1

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more