Animal Theology
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Andrew Linzey |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | |
| Publisher | SCM Press |
| Publication date | 1994 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | x + 214 |
| ISBN | 978-0-334-00005-1 |
| OCLC | 30786047 |
Animal Theology is a 1994 book by the English priest and theologian Andrew Linzey, published by SCM Press. The book examines the relationship between Christian theology, ethics, and the treatment of non-human animals. Linzey argues that Christian thought has often treated animals in anthropocentric terms, and sets out a theological case for including animals within moral and spiritual concern.
The book is divided between theological argument and discussion of practical issues, including animal experimentation, hunting, vegetarianism, and genetic engineering. Reviewers discussed the book in relation to animal rights, biblical interpretation, and Christian moral theology. Some reviewers praised its contribution to Christian discussion of animals, while others criticised its treatment of biblical sources and its position on animal use.
Summary
The book has two sections. The first section sets out Linzey's theological argument about animals, creation, and human responsibility. Linzey discusses the intrinsic value of creation and criticises approaches that he regards as overly anthropocentric, including aspects of the thought of Karl Barth and Thomas Aquinas. He also discusses Albert Schweitzer's idea of reverence for life, and argues for a theocentric account in which animals are valued as part of God's creation.
The second section discusses ethical issues involving animals, including animal experimentation, hunting, vegetarianism, and genetic engineering. Linzey considers these practices in relation to Christian ideas including mercy, stewardship, and justice. He argues that human beings should relate to animals through care and service rather than exploitation.
Reception
The American philosopher Daniel Dombrowski described the book as introducing Linzey's "generosity paradigm", which he said was a concept that Christianity could contribute to the animal rights debate.[1]
Bronislaw Szerszynski criticised Linzey's position on "animal experiments, hunting, meat-eating and genetic engineering", summarising it with the phrase "don't do it" and describing it as "too absolutist" for not addressing the complexities of the modern moral landscape.[2]
Linzey's book was reviewed from three perspectives in the Baptist theological journal Review & Expositor: theological, Old Testament, and New Testament. Sally Smith Holt described Animal Theology as a "worthwhile endeavor in Christian scholarship", but said that it would "not convince all Christians to become vegetarians".[3] Mark McEntire argued that the Old Testament does not provide enough support for Linzey's generosity ethic.[4] David D. May wrote that Linzey's rejection of parts of the New Testament was a form of special pleading, stating that it did not do justice to passages that were problematic for animal theology.[5]
Publication history
Animal Theology was first published by SCM Press in London in 1994.[6] It has been translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Croatian, and Japanese.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ "Animal Theology". University of Illinois Press. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ↑ Szerszynski, Bronislaw (1 August 1995). "Book Review: Animal Theology, by Andrew Linzey. London, SCM, 1994. x + 214pp. pb. £15". Studies in Christian Ethics. 8 (2): 112–116. doi:10.1177/095394689500800214. ISSN 0953-9468. S2CID 143464854.
- ↑ Holt, Sally Smith (1 February 2005). "A Review of Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology from a Theological Perspective". Review & Expositor. 102 (1): 101–109. doi:10.1177/003463730510200111. ISSN 0034-6373. S2CID 147198974.
- ↑ McEntire, Mark (1 February 2005). "A Review of Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology from an Old Testament Perspective". Review & Expositor. 102 (1): 95–99. doi:10.1177/003463730510200110. ISSN 0034-6373. S2CID 170200678.
- ↑ May, David M. (1 February 2005). "A Review of Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology from a New Testament Perspective". Review & Expositor. 102 (1): 87–93. doi:10.1177/003463730510200109. ISSN 0034-6373. S2CID 170390777.
- ↑ Faull, William F. (February 1995). "Animal Theology Andrew Linzey (1994). SCM Press Ltd: London. 214 pp. Paperback. Obtainable from the publishers, 26-30 Tottenham Road, London NI 4BZ, UK (ISBN 0 334 00005 X) Price £15". Animal Welfare. 4 (1): 73–75. doi:10.1017/S0962728600017462. ISSN 0962-7286.
- ↑ "Director". Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
External links
- Animal Theology at the Internet Archive
