My boss (Baptist minister) and I (of Baptist faith) disagree on whether animals go to heaven. In my belief I think heaven will consist of all the things that make one happy. Therefore my cat will be there. He says animals don't have souls and won't be a part of it. Comments?
2007-10-03 07:45:03 · 16 answers · asked by ♥Pretty♥ ♥Kitty♥ 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nowhere does Scripture explicitly state that animals do not have souls...There is nothing in Scripture I know of that would preclude the possibility of animals' continued existence...The Bible does give us some reason to hope that departed animals will be restored. We read in the Bible that redemption is a cosmic matter. The whole creation is destined to be redeemed through the work of Christ (Romans 8:21), and we see the images of what heaven will be like; beautiful passages of Scripture tell us about the lion and lamb and other animals being at peace with one another.(Isaiah 11:6-8). Whenever heaven is described, though it may be in highly imaginative language, it is a place where animals seem to be present. Whether these are animals newly created for the new heavens and the new earth, or they are the redeemed souls of our pets that have perished, we can't know for sure.
2007-10-03 07:59:05 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the one hand your pastor is correct. The animals do not have souls.
On the other hand, you can hope. The Bible is silent upon this question. Over and over again God laments the sufferings of animals (especially the waste in sacrifices under the Law).
I with you will hope that the great silence about the wonder and beauty of heaven will indeed include the animal life from our earth.
PS. Do not let Satan plant the seeds of disloyalty over a little difference of opinion! Stay faithful!
2007-10-03 14:54:59 · answer #2 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a Baptist but here is a Bible verse to show him.
Revelations 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
2007-10-03 15:36:26 · answer #3 · answered by Isolde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says that in heaven, 'The Lamb lays down with the Lion'.
Did not God allow Adam and Eve to name All the animals God made for their- (our good pleasure?)
God talks about animals all the way through the Bible!
His Love for animals is beautiful in the way that Jesus refered to us as His sheep!
I can only think He must Love sheep and all the other creatures He so kindly gave to us, and gave us dominion over. Though a few times horses and cattle have had dominion over me, *smile*.
Also He states that not even a sparrow falls from the air without his say so*
If these animals were only used for parables,
Can you imagine a Heaven without animals/pets, trees, rivers etc...?
I can't.
2007-10-03 15:32:30 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There will be animals at least in the 1000 year reign of Christ (the lion lays down with the lamb). But will it be the same pet "Fido" that comes back, or just another dog, for instance? The Bible doesn't say, but I don't personally think it will be.
2007-10-03 14:49:58 · answer #5 · answered by CJ 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think that animals will be there. Whether or not they are the animals that were here on earth is questionable. Animals were made as food for us. To give them a soul would be horrifying for the animal to know that it was going to die before the slaughter at a slaughter house. Also, animals are strictly instinctual and lack intellect which would be proof for no soul.
2007-10-03 14:49:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I agree that you should not be arguing!.There is a very interesting story,'tho, in the"Food for a PetLovers Soul"about a dog's spirit that protected its owners home,until it was told to "Go Home,Now".It was evidenced by two different people.I think there are Many Mysteries that are not meant to be evident to us in this realm.I still think the "Rainbow Bridge"website is meaningful about pet loss,as well.
2007-10-03 15:38:45 · answer #7 · answered by mel59 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you a Christian or just a Baptist?
There is a difference.
I'm a Christian but not a Baptist. I hope that's ok?
However I'd have to agree with your Pastor.
The Bible says nothing about animals having souls.
OK your cat has four soles but not a soul.
Pastor Art
2007-10-03 15:14:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
hmm...thats tough, I don't believe that animals have souls, but I'd really like to believe that I'll see my cat there! But when we do get there, we change, so who knows what we might think makes us happy, we may completely forget about animals as we stand in God's glory!
(plus think of the people with cat allergies...they wouldn't want them there.)
2007-10-03 14:50:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmmm...I'm not well enough informed about the subject but I also heard that animals won't be in heaven but I have the same opinion as you, so all I can do is hope so!
raenae7983- In heaven there will be no sickness (meaning allergies also).
2007-10-03 15:24:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋