We're having a theological discussion about animals this morning. (: My son was asking for a Biblical reference about animals having souls. Personally, I think Scripture is not at all clear about the eternal fate of animals, but please correct me (with some hardcore Scripture) if I'm wrong. Ecclesiastes 3:21 mentions "the spirit of the beast". And "the breath of life" seems to present in creatures other than man in Gen 1:30, 6:17, 7:15, and 7:22.
We have looked into this subject matter in the past and could not find a clear answer in Scripture or anywhere else. I was told from the time I was a child that animals didn't have souls because God didn't breathe the breath of life into any creature other than man. But the Genesis references above seem to indicate otherwise.
Also, for what it's worth, I'm pretty sure (from my previous research on the subject) that many great Bible scholars including John Piper, Joni Eareckson Tada, C.S. Lewis, and Randy Alcorn expect animals --maybe even their own pets-- to be in heaven. (:
My responses.....came in a flurry of emails because I was in a loooooooong meeting and was there in body ONLY while I responded. :)
I trust that animals will be in the new heavens and new earth. Not necessarily our pets though. I wouldn't equate the breath of life with an eternal soul/spirit. I'll take a look at the references you gave me, but my first response is that soul/spirit are unique to those image bearers of God......to those He's given dominion over creation (including animals). What goes with a soul is responsibility, accountability, judgment and reward/punishment. I really see no development of critters participating in any of these things.
Regarding the Eccl 3:21 reference. The "preacher" speculates on MANY things that are better developed elsewhere. He also says life is meaningless......which it's clearly not. Context for eccl is our temporariness......not an ology for critter souls.
I don't have "hardcore" evidence against animals having a soul.......any more than I can find evidence against unicorns. It's just not developed. Ezekiel 18:20 says "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." It seems the fleshing out of "soul" here is with sons and fathers and the righteous and wicked. There's no mention of animals or their "wickedness" or "righteousness". While an animal might be put down if it's a killer or biter, there's a loud void in the development of an eternal outcome for a dog or horse or whatever. Acts 3:23 says "And it
shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people." Again it sounds like consequences and judgment are connected to the soul.....which seems to be unique to humans.
For me, the resurrection promises cinch it. If animals have eternal souls, does the African-eating lion go to hell? And the loving (and licking) Cocker Spaniel to heaven? If animals have a soul, what's the standard for heaven/hell? Is it the same for man? Perfect and absolute purity for living with a Holy God? If so, then they'll need a critter version of a Savior I'm afraid. They'll need something to atone for the tribesman they ate or the dookie they left on the den floor. God's still holy and creation still fallen so the only redeemable part of creation is what's (or who's) been redeemed through the finished work of the cross.
I think that's why we'll need a new heavens and new earth.....because this one's been cursed and contaminated by sin. As 2 Peter 3 indicates, this one will be completely destroyed. We'll get new resurrection, imperishable, un-contaminated bodies that will then live with God in a new heavens and new earth......at home with our Creator and at home again with body/soul together.
Can you direct me to Piper's thoughts on the souls of animals? I'm truly teachable in this if I'm off track and I have a lot of respect for him.
Ben
Posts
