A Faith Embracing All Creatures: Addressing Commonly Asked Questions about Christian Care for Animals

Synopsis: What is the purpose of animals? Didn't God give humans dominion over other creatures? Didn't Jesus eat lamb? These are the kinds of questions that Christians who advocate compassion toward other animals regularly face. Yet Christians who have a faith-based commitment to care for other animals through what they eat, what they wear, and how they live with other creatures are often unsure how to address these biblically and theologically based challenges. In A Faith Embracing All Creatures, authors from various denominational, national, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds wrestle with the text, theology, and tradition to explain the roots of their desire to live peaceably with their nonhuman kin. Together, they show that there are no easy answers on "what the Bible says about animals." Instead, there are nuances and complexities, which even those asking these questions may be unaware of. Editors Andy Alexis-Baker and Tripp York have gathered a collection of essays that wrestle with these nuances and tensions in Scripture around nonhuman animals. In so doing, they expand the discussion of nonviolence, peacemaking, and reconciliation to include the oft-forgotten other members of God's good creation. Endorsements: "Far too often, serious concern for nonhuman animals is dismissed by well-meaning Christians–who otherwise might share such concerns–because of some remarkably consistent (and understandable) hesitations. For some decades now we have needed a resource that brought together experts to respectfully answer these concerns, and with this book we finally have this invaluable resource." –Charles C. Camosy Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics Fordham University, Duane Library "Many good books deserve an enthusiastic recommendation. But only a few merit the stockpiling of a stash of copies to give to anyone and everyone who crosses one's path. A Faith Embracing All Creatures will be greeted as this latter sort of book by anyone with a heart for creation care. . . . Christians of all varieties will find accessible, creative, and challenging perspectives on a crucial but oft-neglected aspect of their daily discipleship. Animal advocates, Christian or otherwise, will find an indispensable resource for engaging religious audiences. And everyone will find a prophetic call to compassion and justice for all of God's creatures issued from some of the most influential voices in animal ethics and theology as well as from some of the field's most provocative newcomers." –Matthew C. Halteman Associate Professor of Philosophy, Calvin College "Other recent books have made the case that our contemporary treatment of animals is both inhumane and unchristian; A Faith Embracing All Creatures does so in a refreshingly light-handed way. Its arguments are both morally serious and deeply theological, particularly because its authors pore carefully over important sections of biblical text. But the book is also extremely inviting as it opens to questions people are genuinely asking about how a commitment to moral vegetarianism (or related commitments) can make theological sense. . . . Furthermore, the concerns about the welfare of animals that the authors highlight in their theologizing turn out to be immensely fruitful. As they free us from customary presumptions, they teach us how to read and appreciate the biblical material in new ways." –Dr. Charles R. Pinches Professor and Chair, Department of Theology/Religious Studies, University of Scranton Editor Biography: Tripp York, PhD, teaches in the Department of Religion at Virginia Wesleyan College. He is the author and editor of more than half a dozen books including Third Way Allegiance, Living on Hope While Living in Babylon, and The Devil Wears Nada Andy Alexis-Baker is a PhD candidate in Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics at Marquette University. He is coeditor of Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution by John Howard Yoder.