A Thinking Reed

Liberation theology for animals

Written by

Lee M.

in

,

Andrew Linzey has a nice piece in the London Times. Nothing really new if you’ve read any of his books, but a good concise case for an “animal inclusive” Christianity. (via Thinking Anglicans)

I’m intrigued by the idea that the scope of Christ’s redemptive life and death extends to all creation and not just human beings, or, in Linzey’s words, that the “scope of salvation is cosmic.” We say that as a matter of course, but most of our theology and worship remains steadfastly centered on human beings. If we took the idea of cosmic salvation seriously how would that, for instance, require us to re-think traditional ideas of atonement? Or eschatology?

Comments

4 responses to “Liberation theology for animals”

  1. Chris T.

    I should probably read one of Linzey’s books, but this has definitely been on my mind while editing the missal I’m working on. Certainly much of our liturgy is (and should be) focused on humanity, but I have tried to focus on the salvation of all creation at a few points. Anyhow, the traditional Roman ritual includes a blessing for sick animals and a number of other rites, which I find interesting and useful.

    Linzey does do something in this article that is one of my pet peeves, though — citing apocryphal books without giving much context or information about them. Jesus does craft sparrows from clay in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, but he is also rather petulant and strikes another little boy dead for no very good reason. The perspective about animals offered by that book might be interesting, but I wouldn’t really want the book to be taken as an authority on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Especially when the canon (as Linzey notes later) offers plenty of resources. I did enjoy the rest of the piece.

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  2. Lee

    I agree absolutely. Fortunately, his books don’t really make much out of the extra-canonical stuff.

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  3. Kevin Jones

    Is salvation as used here the same as redemption, renewal, etc.?

    Here’s something apropos from the Desert Fathers:

    Abba Xanthios said, “A dog is better than I am, for he loves and he does
    not judge.”

    Reply
  4. lee

    Kevin – Good point. Salvation from sin and sinful tendencies is obviously not the same thing as healing, wholeness, etc. or redemption in the broadest sense. Presumably, since animals (not to mention the rest of creation) don’t sin they aren’t in need of salvation in that sense.

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