No Dogs Go to Heaven

The following article is from the desk of David Bobbitt, one of the men at the Madisonville church of Christ. We invite you to give his words some thought.

Most baby boomers grew up watching television shows which featured talented animal "actors" achieving remarkable feats of intelligence, agility, or heroism.  In the 1950's and 60's, we followed the adventures of Lassie, marveled at the acrobatics of Flipper, and cried during the closing scenes of Old Yellar.  Mr. Ed, a horse, had even talked!  By the 1980's, Disney had discovered that the American public more readily warmed up to our furry friends who talked, hence the beginning of the era of the talking pet.  Disney championed the humanization of animals, and perhaps not coincidentally, it was also the era during which the animal rights movement began to gain momentum.  And Americans swallowed it hook line and sinker!  There are now pet saunas, pet salons, pet motels, exotic pet foods, clothing for pets, and even cemeteries for pets.  Banks give doggie biscuits to customers with pets who use the drive-thru window (cats are out of luck), and many ice cream shops offer a "pup cup!"  In a nation where poverty, homelessness, and hunger are still major issues, how can we as Americans justify spending more than $60,000,000,000 a year on our pets?

            Animals are part of God's creation and have played an important role in the emergence and growth of human civilization.  They made large-scale agricultural production possible, carried our warriors to victory, served as sources of companionship and entertainment, and in many other ways made the trials of human existence easier to bear.  Yet God never places animals on a par with humankind.  The world pushes its liberal agenda because it denies mankind its God-given right to "rule over and subdue" the earth.  (Genesis 1:28) Though it may be hard for some to believe, mankind is the crowning achievement of God's creative act.  We are made in the image of God and specially gifted intellectually, morally, and spiritually like no other creature under the heavens.  While God may love all his creatures, he has clearly differentiated between the value of human beings and the value of animals.  In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus said:
 
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
 
            In Genesis 9:1-3, God gave the animals to Noah and his descendants as food.  Interestingly, at that time there were no restrictions placed on man as to which animals he could and could not eat.  All of that would come with the Mosaic Covenant.  These Scriptures raise some important questions.  If mankind is of more value than the animals, and the animals have been given to us as food, then what rights do animals really have?  Some Christians believe that their pets will be with them in heaven!  Do animals have souls?  If so, how are they redeemed?  Should we baptize our pets?  If we speak of the "humane" treatment of animals, are we humanizing them?  Certainly, we should never abuse or needlessly harm one of God creatures, but make no mistake about it, they have been put here by God for our benefit.

            Why does any of this matter?  Because those who would rationalize God's word in small matters will eventually do so with larger, more important ones.  A lack of respect for God's word breeds error.  Hear what the apostle Paul says to Timothy in chapter four of his first letter:
 
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.  They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."  (I Timothy 4:1-5)
 
            Many people embrace the Scriptures only to the extent that they justify whatever lifestyle they subscribe to.  But whether we are like Thomas Jefferson and literally cut those Scriptures which are not to our liking from our Bibles, or we rationalize God's word to suit our own purposes, the result is the same – we generally do as we please.

            So go ahead and enjoy your pets.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  Abstain from eating meat if you so choose.  We have a responsibility to keep our bodies fit for God's service and for some, a vegan or vegetarian diet is the only way they can do so.  Yet beware of radical, anti-God messages which have no place in the church and don't forget where animals rank in the overall scheme of things.  Animals don't possess the same rights as mankind, they don't have souls.  In spite of what Disney says, no dogs go to heaven.