The Bible does not directly address the modern concept of “animal rights,” as this is a relatively recent idea developed in Western thought. However, the Bible does provide principles regarding the value of animals and how humans should treat them.
Animals Have Value to God
The Bible affirms that animals, as part of God’s good creation, have value in themselves. God created the animals and said they were “good” (Genesis 1:25). Jesus said that God cares even for the sparrows, and that “not one of them is forgotten before God” (Luke 12:6). This suggests that animals have intrinsic value to God beyond just their usefulness to humans.
The Bible indicates that animals can suffer and feel pain. For example, animals are described as “crying out” in suffering (Psalm 104:21; Joel 1:18). Since God cares about sparrows, it follows that He cares about animal suffering.
Principles for Treating Animals
The Bible gives principles about how humans should treat animals:
- Animals should be treated with care as needing protection. Deuteronomy 25:4 says to not muzzle an ox while it is threshing. 1 Corinthians 9:9 explains this shows care for the animal.
- Animals rest on the Sabbath. Exodus 20:10 commands providing Sabbath rest even for oxen and donkeys.
- Animals are part of God’s creation that humans should appreciate. God points to animals to teach Job lessons (Job 38–41). Psalm 104 eloquently celebrates God’s creation of various animals.
- Animals should not be treated with cruelty. Proverbs 12:10 condemns “whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”
- Helping animals in need is depicted positively. Deuteronomy 22:4 commands helping a neighbor’s donkey with its fallen load.
- Jesus said God cares for the sparrows, which were considered insignificant (Luke 12:6). This implies all animals, regardless of perceived usefulness, have value to God.
While the Bible allowed meat-eating and animal sacrifices, it still called for humane treatment of animals used for food and religious purposes. Animal cruelty was forbidden, such as not taking a baby animal from its mother on the same day (Leviticus 22:27).
Human Dominion and Stewardship
An important biblical doctrine regarding animals is that God gave humans dominion and stewardship over the earth and its creatures. After creating humans in His image, God commanded them to “have dominion over” the animals and to “subdue” the earth (Genesis 1:28). Dominion means caring authority, not tyrannical power.
God also placed humans in the Garden of Eden “to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). This implies a stewardship role. Dominion and stewardship suggest humans have a delegated authority from God to use and care for animals and the environment responsibly, though never perfectly.
However, dominion does not mean animals only have instrumental value as resources for humans. As explained above, the Bible teaches God values animals in themselves. But this value exists within the divinely ordained order of humans bearing God’s image and caring for creation under Him.
Differing Views on Using Animals
Within this biblical framework of dominion and stewardship, Christians hold some differing views about the use of animals:
- Animals for food – Most Christians believe the Bible allows humans to use animals for food. God gave humans and animals plants and meat for food (Genesis 1:29-30; 9:3). But animals should be raised and harvested humanely.
- Animal sacrifices – In the Old Testament, God permitted rituals involving animal sacrifice. Most Christians believe Jesus’ sacrifice fulfilled this system. Some passages suggest animal sacrifice will continue in a future temple (Ezekiel 40–48), but this is debated.
- Medical research – Views differ on whether animals can be used in medical research to benefit humans. This ties into disagreements about the nature of biblical dominion and stewardship.
- Hunting – Christians disagree about when hunting is ethical. Some avoid it due to concerns about animal suffering. Others argue responsible hunting serves proper dominion.
- Entertainment – Using animals for entertainment, such as in circus acts, is controversial. Some argue dominion allows this if done humanely. Others say using animals solely as entertainment is unethical.
- Pets/companion animals – Keeping animals as companions is generally accepted, provided they receive humane care as required in the biblical principles outlined earlier.
These issues show that, within the Bible’s overarching theme of human responsibility for animals, practical application requires wisdom, moral discernment, and debate. But cruelty and irresponsible use of animals is clearly wrong.
Will Animals Be Redeemed?
Some Bible passages suggest God’s plan of redemption in Christ encompasses the animal kingdom as well as humans. The apostle Paul teaches that the entirety of creation suffers under the curse of human sinfulness, but that “the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption” when humans are redeemed (Romans 8:18-22). Isaiah 11:6-9 prophecies a future of peace between animals.
However, some theological views hold that redemption is only available for humans. This is a complex issue without definitive resolution. But even if animals are not “redeemed” themselves, their suffering matters to God, and He calls humans to responsibly care for His creatures.
Key Principles
In summary, while the Bible was written before modern concerns about “animal rights,” it provides relevant principles:
- Animals have intrinsic value as part of God’s good creation.
- God cares about animal suffering.
- Humans should treat animals humanely and prevent cruelty.
- Humans have a unique role under God of responsibly using creation.
- Practical issues require wisdom in applying biblical principles.
- The effects of human sin impact animals, and God is concerned about this.
The biblical worldview leads Christians to take animal welfare seriously while retaining a priority on human dignity and caring properly for all life under God.