I fully expect there will be animals in heaven mainly because there were animals in Eden. Just like I expect there to be trees, rocks, rivers, lakes, mountains, etc.
As I see heaven as "a redeemed, perfected creation", a restored and perfected Eden, I fully expect to see animals in heaven. But will I see our dog Bear there? I'm not sure. Bear doesn't sin, but he is affected by the curse nonetheless. Jesus didn't come as a dog, but He will make all things new, and I'm sure that includes dogs (but probably not cats, except maybe Aslan.)
"Steve, with which of the three positions do you most identify?"
Any answer is speculative. That said:
i) Not all pets are equivalent. Some pets have more personality than others. I don't think God would revive our pet turtles, lizards, snakes, rabbits, gerbils, goldfish, &c.
In other words, members of some species are pretty much interchangeable, as far as I can see. One lizard is much like another. Replaceable.
ii) By comparison, take a pet dog. It forms a psychological bond with its owner. Forms memories. Loves its owner (and vice versa). Dogs even dream.
Seems like a waste if a Christian's dog passes into oblivion. If all that's zeroed out and lost forever.
That's not replaceable the way other things are.
iii) I think God values the past. After all, he created the past. Yet so much of the past is unexperienced by humans, which seems like a waste.
iv) There's a restoration motif in Scripture (new Eden/new Jerusalem). Which suggests the best of the past will carry over into the world to come. Better than ever.
v) God will give Christians whatever they need to be happy, fulfilled, whole again. Emotional healing.
All in all, I wouldn't be surprised if God restores our significant pets to us.
Do pets go to heaven?
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I have three cats and two pigeons! :)
I fully expect there will be animals in heaven mainly because there were animals in Eden. Just like I expect there to be trees, rocks, rivers, lakes, mountains, etc.
ReplyDeleteAs I see heaven as "a redeemed, perfected creation", a restored and perfected Eden, I fully expect to see animals in heaven. But will I see our dog Bear there? I'm not sure. Bear doesn't sin, but he is affected by the curse nonetheless. Jesus didn't come as a dog, but He will make all things new, and I'm sure that includes dogs (but probably not cats, except maybe Aslan.)
Steve, with which of the three positions do you most identify?
ReplyDeleteWill there be meat in heaven?
ReplyDeleteNow that's a question I'd like see CT address.
JAMES ANDERSON SAID:
ReplyDelete"Will there be meat in heaven? Now that's a question I'd like see CT address."
I think the bigger question is whether the heavenly menu will be kosher or non-kosher. Will there be bacon in heaven?
all generalizations are false said...
ReplyDelete"Steve, with which of the three positions do you most identify?"
Any answer is speculative. That said:
i) Not all pets are equivalent. Some pets have more personality than others. I don't think God would revive our pet turtles, lizards, snakes, rabbits, gerbils, goldfish, &c.
In other words, members of some species are pretty much interchangeable, as far as I can see. One lizard is much like another. Replaceable.
ii) By comparison, take a pet dog. It forms a psychological bond with its owner. Forms memories. Loves its owner (and vice versa). Dogs even dream.
Seems like a waste if a Christian's dog passes into oblivion. If all that's zeroed out and lost forever.
That's not replaceable the way other things are.
iii) I think God values the past. After all, he created the past. Yet so much of the past is unexperienced by humans, which seems like a waste.
iv) There's a restoration motif in Scripture (new Eden/new Jerusalem). Which suggests the best of the past will carry over into the world to come. Better than ever.
v) God will give Christians whatever they need to be happy, fulfilled, whole again. Emotional healing.
All in all, I wouldn't be surprised if God restores our significant pets to us.
"All in all, I wouldn't be surprised if God restores our significant pets to us."
ReplyDeleteJust out of curiosity, any thoughts on how we will be connected to our spouses in the hereafter?
all generalizations are false, see these posts:
ReplyDeleteIs there sex in heaven?
Family in the afterlife
Till death do us part