more Christian voices for animals

Over the past month we've shared a variety of poignant reflections on animals and our calling to steward to them as followers of Christ, including posts on our relationship to wildlife ("The Interloper" by Ben Witherington and "Does Wildlife Need Our Management?" from Jenny Sue Hane), the diversity of God's creatures ("Embracing Diversity" by Chuck Summers) and our frequent failure to know and appreciate them ("Naming Again all the Animals" from Lowell Bliss), a historic evangelical voice against animal cruelty and a contemporary one for including animals in our understanding of rest ("Sabbath, Animals Included" by Nancy Janisch), even some thoughts on Thanksgiving and turkeys.

Though the entire focus of our blog is to explore themes of animal appreciation and caretaking from a faithful perspective, I thought I'd wrap up this particular series by sharing a few more links of note from other Christian voices for animals:

• Bill Walker and Christianity Today just posted a review of respected British theologian Richard Bauckham's new book Living with Other Creatures, which seems to be well worth looking into further.
• Pastor and theologian Greg Boyd, whose compelling series on factory farming and compassionate eating we shared a while back, has another thought-provoking post on "'Unclean' Animals and the Corruption of Creation."  Thanks to Dave Leigh for sharing.
• I recently listened to a great talk given by evangelical scholar and activist Tony Campolo to the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals back in 2007, which you can listen to on his audio page.  Thanks to Kimmo Laine for sharing.
• Australian creation care advocate Liz Jakimow, whose post "Suffering Doesn't Have to be Human-Like" we shared earlier this Fall, has much else of note to consider when it comes to animals, including the excellent "Polar Bears and Sin."
• Rev. Austin Miles has posted a noteworthy series at the Christian Coalition which presents a clear call to reject cruelty toward animals as believers, and begins with the post "Does Jesus Condone Hunting and Killing Wolves?"  Thanks to Jenny Sue Hane, a Christian advocate for wolves herself, for sharing.
• One of our regular contributors Dean Ohlman blogs with consistent eloquence at The Wonder of Creation, including a recent reflection on wildlife and wilderness "Theater of God's Glory."
• Though not a Christian himself, Paul Shapiro of the Humane Society recently gave a valuable talk on industrial animal farming at Calvin College, host to the annual Wake Up Weekend which we've been privileged to participate in several years running, titled "Blessed are the Meek: Showing Mercy to all Creation."  Thanks to Matt Halteman for sharing.
• Kentucky pastor and nature photographer Chuck Summers, whose writing we recenty featured for the first time on our own blog, has several others posts of note at Seeing Creation including the wisely nuanced "Blessing the Animals."

(photo credit 123rf.com)

Comments

[Denis Paxton]

Thanks for this round up of inspiration. I really love the works of Chuck Summers.

[Ben DeVries]

Thank you, Denis, I'm grateful for that feedback. And I'm coming to know and be very grateful for Chuck's work as well, both writing and photography - best wishes to you, Ben

[Nancy Janisch]

Good to see so many Christian voices for animals. Keep up the good work, Ben!

[Ben DeVries]

Thank you, Nancy, and I'm also glad to see more Christian theologians and ministers speaking up for animals, joining significant voices such as your own - Ben