The way it works

[Xeno.of.athens]

In the natural world, animals learn what to eat and what to avoid. Predators and prey are lessons learned over time. The concept of predestination, if applicable to animals, raises the question of their ultimate destination. Are animal lives subject to divine predestination?

 

[Bob Crowley]

Christ said in Matthew 10:29 NIV "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care."

Obviously God has an interest in the fate of animals. I don't know how far that goes, but I am quite sure we'll be judged in part by how we treat them.

If not one sparrow falls to the ground "outside your Father's care", then it appears He allows it to happen within His divine omnipotence and omnisience.

So yes, I think they probably are predestined.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

So yes, I think they probably are predestined.

What is their destination?

 

[RandyPNW]

In the natural world, animals learn what to eat and what to avoid. Predators and prey are lessons learned over time. The concept of predestination, if applicable to animals, raises the question of their ultimate destination. Are animal lives subject to divine predestination?

I guess you'd be like comparing apples and oranges. Animals are not people--beasts don't have a soul, though they certainly have a life force.

I personally believe animals have computer programs--their functions are entirely predictable except that they live in Nature, which is an open system, subject to the influence of free agents, whether God, angels, or people. What determines their unpredictability I'm not really sure--it may be built into their program to have a diverse life experience.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

I guess you'd be like comparing apples and oranges. Animals are not people--beasts don't have a soul, though they certainly have a life force.

I personally believe animals have computer programs--their functions are entirely predictable except that they live in Nature, which is an open system, subject to the influence of free agents, whether God, angels, or people. What determines their unpredictability I'm not really sure--it may be built into their program to have a diverse life experience.

Is what you say the same as saying that animals have no love, show no genuine affection, so not know actual happiness and so forth?

 

[Bob Crowley]

What is their destination?

I don't know.

 

[RandyPNW]

Is what you say the same as saying that animals have no love, show no genuine affection, so not know actual happiness and so forth?

No, God's "computer programming" is incredibly sophisiticated. A cat's purring is very real!

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

No, God's "computer programming" is incredibly sophisiticated. A cat's purring is very real!

Is there any good reason to reject your analogy when applied to human beings?

 

[RandyPNW]

Is there any good reason to reject your analogy when applied to human beings?

We have our own "computer programming," I suppose. But we were made in God's image, as opposed to beasts, who were not. They are God's handiwork, but we are God's "children."

For this reason God made Mankind superior to, or in a position to rule over, the animal world. It is to show God's superiority over everything, and our call to express this in the way we live.

The animals show no consciousness of God's Word, and therefore do not respond to it in terms of obedience. But they are programmed to respond to human influence, and can be either domesticated or tainted by negative factors.

God had animals killed when they developed bad behaviors. It may not be their fault, but by necessity they have to be put down.

On the other hand, humans can respond to correction, and often do not need to be "put down" by God or by our criminal justice system. Whether or not it is necessary is a matter for enlightened judgment.