Animal Theology is a 1994 book by the ethicist and theologian Andrew Linzey, that examines the treatment and status of animals from a theological perspective. It was published by SCM Press in the United Kingdom.
 | |
| Author | Andrew Linzey |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subjects | Animal rights, theology |
| Publisher | SCM Press |
Publication date | 1994 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | x + 214 |
| ISBN | 978-0-334-00005-1 |
| OCLC | 1164872852 |
Summary
editIn the book, Linzey reconsiders what Christians see to be God's original plan for humanity's ruling of nature. He argues against previous conceptions of this connection which have been used to justify animal cruelty, instead claiming that such a relationship instead implies that the mission laid out by God is a model of generosity towards the oppressed and vulnerable, which is applicable to both humans and other animals.
Reception
editThe American philosopher Daniel Dombrowski, described the book in positive terms, stating that "what Linzey calls the 'generosity paradigm'" is a valuable concept that Christianity can contribute to the animal rights debate.[1]
Bronislaw Szerszynski criticised Linzey's view regarding "animal experiments, hunting, meat-eating and genetic engineering", summing it up with the phrase "don't do it", as "too absolutist", for failing to acknowledge the complexities of the modern moral landscape.[2]
Linzey's book was reviewed from three different perspectives in the Baptist theological journal Review & Expositor: theological, Old Testament and New Testament. Sally Smith Holt described Animal Theology as a "worthwhile endeavor in Christian scholarship", that will nevertheless, "not convince all Christians to become vegetarians".[3] Mark McEntire claims that the Old Testament lacks sufficient content to be a basis of Linzey's generosity ethic.[4] David D. May in his review, drew attention to Linzey's repudiation of elements of the New Testament, stating "special pleading does not do justice to text-segments that would be problematic for an animal theology."[5]
Publication history
editAnimal Theology was first published by SCM Press in 1994.[6] It has been translated into French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Animal Theology". UI Press. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
- ^ Szerszynski, Bronislaw (1995-08-01). "Book Review : Animal Theology, by Andrew Linzey. London, SCM, 1994. x + 214pp. pb. £15". Studies in Christian Ethics. 8 (2): 112–116. doi:10.1177/095394689500800214. ISSN 0953-9468. S2CID 143464854.
- ^ Holt, Sally Smith (2005-02-01). "A Review of Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology from a Theological Perspective". Review & Expositor. 102 (1): 101–109. doi:10.1177/003463730510200111. ISSN 0034-6373. S2CID 147198974.
- ^ McEntire, Mark (2005-02-01). "A Review of Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology from an Old Testament Perspective". Review & Expositor. 102 (1): 95–99. doi:10.1177/003463730510200110. ISSN 0034-6373. S2CID 170200678.
- ^ May, David M. (2005-02-01). "A Review of Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology from a New Testament Perspective". Review & Expositor. 102 (1): 87–93. doi:10.1177/003463730510200109. ISSN 0034-6373. S2CID 170390777.
- ^ Faull, William F. (February 1995). "Animal Theology Andrew Linzey (1994). SCM Press Ltd: London. 214 pp. Paperback. Obtainable from the publishers, 26-30 Tottenham Road, London NI 4BZ, UK (ISBN 0 334 00005 X) Price £15". Animal Welfare. 4 (1): 73–75. doi:10.1017/S0962728600017462. ISSN 0962-7286.
- ^ "Director". Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. Retrieved 2020-07-19.