Must Christians be kind to animals?

There is no blanket command about kindness to animals but it is certainly implied.


Most of the specific verses in the Bible relate to how we treat domestic animals particularly farm animals - oxen, donkeys and the like.

But the general tenor of the Bible is that animals are God's creatures as much as we are, and we should treat them with respect.

St. Francis of Assisi used to talk to the birds and animals, and told the villagers to feed the wolf of Gubbio. Some say it is legendary, and yet the wolf is supposedly buried within a church.

The tomb of the Wolf of Gubbio is located in the crypt of the Church of San Francesco della Pace, also known as the Church of the Stonemasons.17

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Mind you the Jewish sacrificial system which required the slaughter of animals raises questions in my mind, but I assume the killing was swift. I also understand the sacrificial animals were eaten, which makes the slaughter comparable to our modern abattoirs. Of course we suburban types get our meat wrapped in paper or plastic and don't have to do the unpleasant stuff.

When I pass semi-trailers carrying loads of chickens, cows or pigs I feel some sympathy. Around our way they'd be heading to the slaughterhouse.

I know they haven't got long to live but I'd be hypocritical to condemn the abattoirs as I eat meat as much as the next bloke.

Still I try to treat animals with respect and kindness if they happen to be within my location.

“A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” – Proverbs 12:10

Xeno.of.athens said:

Does the bible urge Christians to be kind to animals?

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No.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36

I think I understand the problem here. My wife, who does most of the work, and I have a wild animal rescue/hospital, and animals are brought to us almost every day. It is a good thing to help the animals, but it doesn’t compare to helping the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned people. Helping animals is closer to painting a beautiful picture than helping people with their troubles. The people who bring us animals always want to be praised or their good deed, and it is rightfully so. However, a few people are far more interested in getting “virtue points” than simply helping an animal. I think this is one of the reasons Jesus didn’t list it in the good works in Matthew 25:35-36, and not much is mentioned in the Bible. Having “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” covers both animals and people, but it is only people who need to know the love of God. Matthew 12:12, “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep!” Even though it takes a lot of work to help animals, it is not very high on the scale of virtue, so the Bible does say much about it.

It is good of you and your wife to run the rescue hospital.

I think another reason animal rescue is not mentioned much in the Bible is that back in OT and NT times there wasn't much around to help animals. I mean medical treatment for humans was pretty basic let alone animal veterinary services.

I suppose this Far Side cartoon is close to the mark for ancient veterinary treatment.

Xeno.of.athens said:

Does the bible urge Christians to be kind to animals?

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Really depends on the person and how they define " dominion" .

Genesis 1:28: "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

Is the call from God for responsible stewardship or is it a call to do what we want with His creation.

Blessings

Maria Billingsley said:

Really depends on the person and how they define " dominion" .

Genesis 1:28: "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

Is the call from God for responsible stewardship or is it a call to do what we want with His creation.

Blessings

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“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15. I think stewardship

Bob Crowley said:

It is good of you and your wife to run the rescue hospital.
I think another reason animal rescue is not mentioned much in the Bible is that back in OT and NT times there wasn't much around to help animals. I mean medical treatment for humans was pretty basic let alone animal veterinary services.
I suppose this Far Side cartoon is close to the mark for ancient veterinary treatment.
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For the tender-hearted. . .