Part Six:  Was Jesus Indifferent to the Welfare of Animals?

One of the criticisms hurled at Christianity by radical animal rights advocates is that the Bible is indifferent to the welfare of animals (which we’ve seen is untrue). In particular, critics claim that Jesus showed little concern for animal life. Well-known animal rights advocate Peter Singer is an example. He wrote, “The New Testament is completely lacking in any injunction against cruelty to animals, or any recommendations to consider their interests. Jesus himself showed indifference to the fate of nonhumans when he induced two thousand swine to hurl themselves into the sea.” (Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals)

 The text does not justify Singer’s allegation. It was not Jesus but the demons who requested entering into the pigs before they plunged into the sea (see Matt. 8:28–32). Allowing this to happen is not the same as condoning it. To claim otherwise is to read meaning into the passage that flies in the face of the actual narrative—as well as the whole Scriptural teachings on Jesus and nonhuman life.

The primary purpose of Jesus’ incarnation was to open the door for humans to become reconciled to God through His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins. Nevertheless, although Jesus and the New Testament authors say little about animal life, when Jesus walked this earth, He demonstrated an appreciation and concern for animals.

Jesus admired the birds of the air and pointed out that God cares for and protects them (Matt. 6:26; Luke 12:6, 24). He told His disciples that not a single sparrow “is forgotten by God” (Luke 12:6). He pointed out that God provides animals their food (Matt. 6:26; Luke 12:24) and is concerned for their welfare (Luke 12:6). Wild animals even accompanied Jesus during His temptation in the wilderness (Mark 1:13). Indeed, it was Jesus who abolished animal sacrifices (more on this in a later blog post).

Moreover, theologically, it’s essential to understand that for Jesus to have shown indifference to nonhuman life would have been impossible!  As the second member of the triune Godhead, Jesus could not be apathetic toward wild and domesticated animals because God is keenly concerned for their welfare and survival. In other words, as the incarnate Son of God, Jesus would have shared the Father’s love and concern for all animal life, wild and domesticated. I believe Jesus would endorse animal rights—assuming it’s done within a biblical moral framework. ©

This brings us another consideration. Do humans have a God-given moral responsibility for the animal kingdom. This is the topic of next week’s blog post.