Weekly Newsletter - December 11, 2015
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Please Be a CVA Sustainer!
  2. Upcoming Activist Opportunities
  3. Part 1: Can Christianity Be Redeemed?
  4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

1. Please Be a CVA Sustainer!

We don’t charge for membership, but our ministry does have expenses for which donations are essential. Among other things, we distribute about 100,000 booklets at Christian events each year. To become a CVA Sustainer or to renew your Sustaining membership, please go HERE a and scroll down to DONATIONS at the bottom of the page (all donations are tax-deductible).


2. Upcoming Activist Opportunities

12/14/2015 CA, San Jose Chris Tomlins
12/10/2015 NC, Greensboro Tobymac
12/11/2015 FL, Pensacola Newsboys
12/12/2015 MS, Jackson Newsboys
12/13/2015 TN, Knoxville Newsboys
12/27-29/15 MO, Branson Xtreme Conference
12/29-31/15 TN, Gatlinburg Xtreme Conference
01/02/2016 WV, Charleston Winter Jam
01/03/2016 MI, Grand Rapids Winter Jam
01/07/2016 PA, Reading Winter Jam
01/09/2016 OH, Columbus Winter Jam
01/10/2016 TN, Chattanooga Winter Jam
01/15/2016 FL, Jacksonville Winter Jam
01/16/2016 FL, Tampa Winter Jam
01/16/2016 VA, Fairfax Women of Faith “Loved: The Farewell Tour”
01/17/2016 FL, Sunrise Winter Jam
01/22/2016 IA, Des Moines Winter Jam
01/23/2016 MO, St. Louis Winter Jam
01/24/2016 MO, Kansas City Winter Jam
01/29/2016 IL, Chicago Winter Jam
01/30/2016 PA, Pittsburgh Winter Jam
02/05/2016 MO, Springfield Jeremy Camp
02/12/2016 TX, Dallas Jeremy Camp
02/14/2016 IN, Indianapolis Jeremy Camp
02/18/2016 LA, Baton Rouge Toby Mac Hits Deep Tour
02/25/2016 CA, Sacramento Jeremy Camp

When you volunteer to leaflet for the CVA, the CVA donates $18/hr. to the veg. or animal protection group of your choice. Contact Lorena at lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com if you can help.

3. Can Christianity Be Redeemed? Part 1

Christianity, in general, has a poor track record when it comes to animal issues. Some Christians, inspired by their faith, have been great champions of nonhumans, but most Christians have used the Bible as a shield against animal protectionism. Indeed, many animal advocates are hostile to Christianity, because they see the faith as an impediment to the liberation of animals from human tyranny and abuse.

I think that, as with nearly all social justice issues, the Bible provides support for both sides. There are many passages that describe nonviolence towards animals as ideal and others that prohibit specific cruel practices. Yet, the Bible also endorses animal sacrifices, and many passages describe using animals for labor or food without evident reservations.

I think the over-riding biblical message is one of love and compassion, and Christians who have endorsed animal abuse have largely defended their position with selective readings taken out of context. Given that a strong majority of people agrees that we should avoid cruelty to animals and that an animal-friendly reading of the Bible is reasonable, what has prevented Christianity from taking a leadership role in animal protectionism? I will consider this next.

Stephen R. Kaufman, MD


4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman

Clearing the Way for the Lord


Archived 2015 Newsletters
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