WHAT DID JOHN CALVIN SAY ABOUT ANIMALS IN THE AFTERLIFE?

The fact is many well-known Christian apologists and theologians believe in the probability of animal resurrection. I’ve shared two examples in previous blog articles: the thoughts and comments of the great Reformation scholar, Martin Luther, and contemporary apologist and philosopher, Peter Kreeft. In this week’s blog, I’ll share the thoughts of another Reformation scholar—John Calvin.

John Calvin believed that animals long for redemption, and he made a provocative statement in “Speculation about Animals” that implies he also believed they would resurrect. Referring to Romans 8:19-23, Calvin wrote: “Because the creatures . . . have a hope of being freed hereafter from corruption, it follows that they groan like a woman in labour until they have been delivered. . . . In short, the creatures are not content with their present condition, and yet they do not pine away irremediably. They are, however, in labour, because they are waiting to be renewed to a better state” (emphasis added).

In his Commentaries on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans, Calvin further wrote, “I understand the passage [Rom. 8:19] to have this meaning—that there is no element and no part of the world which is being touched, as it were, with a sense of its present misery, that does not intensely hope for resurrection.” Concerning verse 20 he adds, “No part of the universe is untouched by the longing with which everything on this world aspires to the hope of resurrection.”

I think Calvin makes it clear that he too anticipated seeing nonhuman life in Heaven. ©

If you would like to read compelling biblical (and scientific) evidence that pets and wild animals will join God’s people in Heaven—as well as more quotes from well-known apologists and theologians—see my book Will Dogs Chase Cats in Heaven?: People, Pets, and Wild Animals in the Afterlife, which is now available on Amazon or though my website: www.danstory.net. (Go to my home page and click on the cover photo.)

Future blogs in this series will include the thoughts and comments of other well-known apologists and theologians, including, next month, C. S. Lewis.