solar cells, baby seals and God's infinite care
As we continue to ask the question, "Is caring for animals a valid Christian concern?," Lauren Merritt provides another biblically grounded and poignant response ...
For those who say, “animals are put here to serve and be useful to man” – I don’t argue, but neither do I completely agree. We daily encounter the milk of a dairy cow, the eggs of a chicken and the meat of a beef cow. We’ve read Genesis 1, which clearly tells us to have dominion and to subdue the earth. But how can we define this dominion? Is it such that any unused animal is a useless existence?
But I would ask then, what is the service of the lion? What use do we make of him? Or what of the antelope or gnu? Don’t they serve as food for the lion, and go about their lives bearing young and grazing the grasslands apart from human needs? To what purpose are there 70 species of antelope dotting the African landscape?
What service is it to mankind, what benefit do we reap that there are 20,000 species of bees, when one would have sufficed to pollinate our plants? If we have 10,000 species of birds, who can account for the use of 9,000 of them? If we have 30,000 species of fish, who can tell the purpose of the 29,000?
How have we harnessed and subdued the hummingbird? What purpose does he serve flitting among the endless fields of useless flowers?
And what of the hippo, the giraffe? The sloth, the leopard? The komodo dragon, the brilliant macaw?
Surely we could do away with them all.
Why does the raven exist, when we neither eat him nor hunt him for sport? Why the mountain goat on his lofty perches? Why the fish in the darkest depths, the birds in the loftiest canopies? Why the creation of animals and insects which we’ll never see, let alone put to use?
And yet God sees and cares for them all. The Bible overflows with God’s care for His Creation, from the oxen to the sparrow, to the lions and their young, from the mountain grandeur to the fish underseas: ...
He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call. (Psalm 147:8-9, all passages NIV)
He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds of the air nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches. ...
The trees of the LORD are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests;
the stork has its home in the pine trees.
The high mountains belong to the wild goats;
the crags are a refuge for the coneys. ...
The lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God. (Psalm 104:10-12, 16-18, 21)
How dare we, part of Creation, albeit sons and daughters of the Firstborn, consider the works of God’s hands to be ours to trample, to destroy, or potentially worse, to ignore, to undermine or neglect?
The lions roar for God.
The sparrows also seek food from His hands.
The wild donkeys drink gratefully from His rivers.
Ought we not learn from Creation instead of live in animosity against it?
(Many thanks to Lauren for sharing "Solar Cells, Baby Seals and God's Infinite Care," originally posted on her blog The Christian and Creation ~ Glorifying the Creator which is rich in creation and creature care themes. If you're interested in reading further along the lines of this post, don't miss "The Four Most Important Biblical Passages for a Christian Environmentalism" by pastor and Gospel Coalition council member Mike Bullmore. Antelope and hippo photos courtesy Steve Pointer (©), sheep photo copyright Kevin Eaves/123rf.com.)
May 21, 2010
Reader Comments (6)
Thank you again for confirmation that Father God values every life that exists on the earth, in the skies and in the depths of the deepest oceans. With many creatures in our care, we at Bravehearts are often challenged as to why we do not euthanaise the "animals that serve no apparant purpose". Our argument for life is more than adequately answered in this post. My heart reaches up to Father with gratitude for confirmation that our work is not in vain. I humbly thank Him for the priviledge He has given to us to support the growing number of creatures that have been brought into our lives.
Thank you again for confirmation that Father God values every life that exists on the earth, in the skies and in the depths of the deepest oceans. With many creatures in our care, we at Bravehearts are often challenged as to why we do not euthanaise the "animals that serve no apparant purpose". Our argument for life is more than adequately answered in this post. My heart reaches up to Father with gratitude for confirmation that our work is not in vain. I humbly thank Him for the priviledge He has given to us to support the growing number of creatures that have been brought into our lives.
Lauren, thank you for this great post. I appreciate your use of scripture to highlight the value of God's creatures. It is always so exciting to see the great level of care that God has for His creatures. As His followers, should we not demonstrate that same care and concern?
Scott, thanks for the note, and I very much agree. I forwarded your comment on to Lauren, I know she appreciates the feedback - Ben
Cherie, I very much second what you wrote as well, and so admire all you do for so many animals, regardless of their status, condition or value to others. You and Bravehearts are models of following the Father's heart to all of us - Ben
Thank you Cherie and Scott for the feedback. Scripture is a rich and wonderful source of motivation for creation care - indeed isn't it THE source? Scott, I loved your post "Beyond the Taco Stand" earlier. I'm putting up a post on humane eating on my blog tonight that expounds on being compassionate followers as God is our compassionate God.