Resources by Topic: Animals

Many people distrust organized religion but love animals and the natural world. They don’t know God, yet they cherish what He created. They catch glimpses of Him in nature (Romans 1:19-21). Their love for animals flows from being God’s image-bearers and can be a bridge to the gospel.

One of the strangest assumptions people sometimes make is that if we love animals, we can’t sufficiently love God and people. But love is not a zero-sum game. 

My latest book All God’s Creatures: What the Bible Says About Animals, Heaven, and the New Earth will be released from Tyndale House on November 17. It was a labor of love for the past three years—especially love for God first, and Nanci second.

It’s exhilarating, even worshipful, to be immersed in a God-made world normally beyond our reach. Years ago, while snorkeling in deep water with one of my daughters and some friends, we suddenly heard the melodic sounds of whales. We floated nearly motionless as the sounds grew louder and louder.

God intends us to love our animals—of course, not more than we love people—but still, that love is God-given. The pain of letting our pets go is great because God made them to be precious to us.

In this clip from his conversation on The Remnant Radio, Randy shares his thoughts about if we will eat meat on the New Earth. He also addresses the question about whether if there are realities that Scripture reveals about the age to come, should we try to apply them to life on the earth right now?

In this clip from his conversation on The Remnant Radio, Randy talks about the intelligence of animals and the possibility that they may talk on the New Earth.

When I’ve been snorkeling, I often think how incredible it is to get a glimpse of all the things God governs that go on in the universe, 99.99999% of which we never see or think about!

Carrying the burden of guilt for this decision, which was made as part of stewarding your pet, can keep you from experiencing the abundant life God has for you. We should experience guilt for sinful choices (and even then, we are to take our guilt to Jesus so we can experience His forgiveness and peace). However, your choice was not a sinful one.

When I was answering a question about animals and the New Earth, a comment was said about cats. I have to shake my head at this often-repeated joke, because I’ve been in three different churches where the pastor said from the pulpit that he thinks all dogs go to Heaven, but not cats. It’s good for laughs, but not funny to people who love their cats.

If you’ve experienced the love of an animal, whether it’s from a horse, a dog, a cat, or any other kind of animal, you know it’s profoundly moving. And no wonder, since God has coupled mankind and the animal kingdom, not only through the order of creation, but also through His mandate that we govern the animals.

While God certainly does not value animals as much as He does people of every tribe, nation and language, not only the creation account but also the flood account proves God does value animals of every species, genus, and family.

Jim Abernethy, a well-known diver and underwater photographer, works primarily with sharks. Years ago in the Bahamas, Jim encountered a large tiger shark he named Emma. 

Our life in God's presence will be fullness of joy. Upon our deaths, we’ll be face to face with goodness Himself, and we’ll be able to ask Jesus our questions directly. And for now, we can rest in His character: His goodness, mercy, kindness, and abundant grace.