Comments on: Animal Morality

By: john

john — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 06:22:06 +0000

I actually have no position on this. I tend to speak literally (haha), it is a question I have pondered for quite some time. I'll post some other verses regarding animals later... probably. This cold medicine is kicking in.

Is it a sin to drink NeoCitran? (joke)

By: ro

ro — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 05:43:27 +0000

I think we're getting into trouble here with putting too much emphasis on literal readings of English Bibles.

NASB reads:

"“Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man." This isn't even as literal as we can go. From this I don't see clearly how animals are required to provide an account.

NRSV:

"For your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning: from every animal I will require it and from human beings, each one for the blood of another, I will require a reckoning for human life." A bit more regarding your position John. I'm still seeing an emphasis on the sanctity of humanity though.

I haven't looked at any commentaries etc., so a better response is out there.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:31:48 +0000

The way I have heard this verse explained and it seems to make sense to me (though I am just a lowly un-seminaried pastor) is that this is part of the foundation for sin equating death and also the ability for an animal to be sacrificed for the sins of man. If an animal were not able to bear the responsibility for sin the same as humans then the sacrifice of an animal for man’s sin would be inadequate. The blood of an animal must be equally as acceptable as humans for the sacrifice to be an appropriate substitution. Also it just kinda makes sense, if there is an animal going around killing people its probably a good idea to take that sucker out of the equation.

By: john

john — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:27:54 +0000

It seems clear in the scripture that, while it may be true that God will give an account to the animal, it shall be God demanding an account FROM the animal. God sees all and knows all. When He demands an account from us we have some understanding of what that means. Here in the scripture we have God saying He will demand an account from BOTH humans and animals for the life-blood of man.

Will He hold the animals accountable for the life-blood of man just as He will hold man accountable? (that is not a rhetorical question)

By: ro

ro — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:15:19 +0000

I don't think this is about the responsibility of the animal as it is God's value on humanity. He created humanity as the pinnacle of His creation. Read up on the theocracy created starting with Mt. Sinai and Moses. Here it was deemed any domestic animal that killed a human would be stoned to death. (Ex. 21:28-32) So yes, perhaps God will make an account to the animal for their treatment of his creation.... Will the animal care, doubt it.

By: john

john — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 03:35:51 +0000

read the underlined verse. I asked my pastor the question and he gave the same response until I repeated the words loudly and clearly just as it is written. Strange?

I don't think it can get any clearer than how it is written.

By: ro

ro — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:57:30 +0000

Im' not familiar with this passage but I don't see where it says animals are accountable for the blood of humans. I'll look a bit deeper.

By: john

john — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 07:51:09 +0000

As far as I understand, God has declared that He shall hold both man and animals accountable to Him for the blood of man. It is not hard to accept that He shall hold us humans accountable as we have many other scritpure verses that speak of the final judgement. What about the animals though?

I don't propose I understand these verses at all, which is why I ask. Hopefully Ro or Dan or some other of these seminary students can find an answer. It is not a big issue, but one that has lingered with me for a very long time. It opens a lot of questions in my mind.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 06:13:43 +0000

I don't get it ;_;

By: john

john — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 04:59:10 +0000

I have no clue. I wish someone had some clue.