Description
Book SynopsisWhy should Christians care about animals? Is there a biblical basis for abstaining from eating animals? Is avoiding companies that use (and misuse) animals a viable way for Christians to live out the message of God? Sarah Withrow King makes the argument that care for all of creation is no ''far-fetched'' idea that only radical people would consider, but rather a faithful witness of the peaceful kingdom God desires and Jesus modelled. This includes all living and breathing creatures that share this earth with us. King uses her decade-plus of experience as a vegan, her seminary education, her evangelical Christian faith, and her years working with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to call Christians to examine how we treat and view the nonhuman animals with whom we share a finite planet.
Trade Review"Riveting and convicting. A major contribution to the neglected topic of animal liberation and animal rights, from an exciting new voice, this book is essential reading for all Christians." David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics Director, Centre for Theology and Public Life, Mercer University "Withrow King challenges us to look again at texts that may feel familiar, but only because we've read them a thousand times from the same perspective. But what if we change perspective? What if the biblical writers and the people they wrote about didn't see the world as we see it? What if those writers and people were not western, linear, dualistic thinkers who saw people not as separate from creation, but rather as part of it? What if God cares deeply for the entire community of creation? If so, then Withrow King's book is a gift to us all, offering one of the most comprehensive examinations of God's treatment of animals (and fauna) that I have ever seen. And - as the title hints - she has fun doing it! Animals Are Not Ours is a great and important read." Lisa Sharon Harper, author of The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong can be Made Right
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1 Stealing Chickens in Austria (It Was an Accident, I Swear) part one Looking at the Word through an Animal Lens Introduction to Part One 2 Creation (or, Using Animals Says to God, "I Don't Think You Got It Quite Right in Genesis") 3 What It Means to "Have Dominion" 4 The Prophets 5 Jesus, the Prince of Peace 6 I Think Jesus Dug Birds, Too 7 The Good Samaritan: Animals as Neighbors 8 The End and the Now 9 The Bible Tells Me So . . . part two Intersections and Bridges (The Oppression Connection) Introduction to Part Two 10 Do Animals Suffer? (And Does It Matter?) 11 The Trinity and Community: Being in Right Relationship with Animals 12 What Is a Human? 13 The Heresy of Hierarchy 14 Stewardship of Creation (or, Changing Light Bulbs Isn't Enough) 15 Can You Be a Peace-Loving Meat Eater? (Pssst, No, 'cause Using Animals Necessitates Violence) 16 Whose Bodies Matter? 17 Liberate Your Language 18 Undercover Investigations: Hell on Earth Exposed part three Now What? The Basics of Treating Animals Well Introduction to Part Three 19 Don't Eat Them 20 Don't Beat Them (or Pay People Who Do) 21 Your Animal Companions 22 PETA's Community Animal Project (and How You Can Help Animals in Your Own Community) 23 Buying Cruelty Free 24 Public Policies 25 Frequently Asked Questions Epilogue Glossary Bibliography Index
