Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

Clarinda Herald Journal Publication Date : 11/01/06

 

All Dogs Go To Heaven

 

Pastor Scott,

            “What does the bible say about animals--do the go to heaven when they die?”

            Genesis 1:24 makes a distinction between “wild animals” and others, suggesting to us what common experience proves--there are untamed animals, and then there are domesticated animals who exist very comfortably among us--livestock as well as pets.

            Animals work for us (Num 7:7), transport us (Gen 22:3, 31:34), and help protect us (Ex 11:7). Animals are God’s provision for food (Gen 9:3) and its enjoyment--they are not your departed family members come back as cows and chickens. You may be a vegetarian by choice, but no Biblical reason should hinder a believer from eating meat. The person of faith should never kill needlessly, and the animals under his care should be treated well (Gen 49:6, Pro 12:10; Ex 23:12).

            Animals have some aptitude of intellect and emotions, but only man possesses God’s image and likeness. God breathed His life-giving spirit into man, setting him apart from the animal kingdom with a unique spiritual capacity to worship the God who is unseen. The humanistic and evolutionary view of creation negates the sacredness of human life and puts man and animal on an equal footing--this the Christian must never do.

            Animals and pets can provided some degree of companionship, but lack the capability that human relationships offer (Gen 2:20). There is little doubt that we get attached to these furry creatures. As a pet owner, I know what it is like to experience and enjoy the exchange of affection between man and beast--and the grief and sorrow of loosing them to death or misfortune.

            It is unclear in the Scriptures if animals will be in heaven. The book of Isaiah suggests a future time when God will re-create the heavens and the earth (Isa 65:17-25) where “the lion lies down with the lamb.” It may be an allegory describing the peace and serenity of heaven, but I would like to think that the things that have brought us joy in this life may carry over into the next--it is unlikely this includes tics, chiggers, and mosquitoes (I think they go to the other place).

            --Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)