1. Excellent Article
Philosophy professor Matthew C. Halteman of Calvin College has an excellent article “Knowing the Standard American Diet by Its Fruits: Is Unrestrained Omnivorism Spiritually Beneficial?” published in the journal Interpretation.
Read the article here.
2. Essay: Do Animals Have Souls?
One may discern from the Bible several possible reasons that God cares about
animals, but one likely explanation has largely been lost in translation.
The Hebrew Scriptures describe humans and animals as having the same
essence: nephesh. Yet in Genesis, translators have called nephesh "soul"
(King James Version) or "being" (Revised Standard Version) for humans (2:7)
and "creature" for animals (2:19, KJV and RSV). The author of Ecclesiastes,
recognizing the similar essence of humans and animals, expressed the common
fate of all living beings: "All go to one place; all are from the dust, and
all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and
the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth?" (3:20-21)
Humans and animals both being nephesh may account for animals’ presence in
eternity (Revelation 5:13) and the Bible's affirmation that God preserves
animals (Psalms 36:6; Ephesians 1:10; Colossians 1:20). The Bible does not
forbid animal exploitation in all circumstances, but it does encourage
people to show compassion and concern for animals. Indeed, the Bible states
that God created Adam in God's own image. "Created in God's image" surely
does not refer to physical attributes, but instead appears to mean that
humans have the capacity to reflect God's love and compassion.
Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
Sanitized Violence Destroys Peace