Dean Scott: Good stuff. There may be a few surprises for a few people in the future on this issue. Blessings. GDVW+ RE: THOUGHTS IN REGARD TO ANIMALS ------------------------- Fr. Wiebe+ The grief of an elderly couple at the death of a dog that had been their companion on morning walks and evenings at home for over 5 years was the occasion on which I jotted down those passages regarding animals. The woman is well read in Scripture, having been the daughter of a Protestant minister and long years of attendance and service in her church. Her friends and family offered sympathy, and I felt moved to offer her something from her faith. I surmised that there was little in the teaching to which she had been exposed that would be of any comfort in this circumstance. To me there is ample evidence in Scripture that nothing goes to waste in the economy of God, and both the ancient Jews and the early Christians took literally the idea that not only was humanity in a fallen state, but also all creation (Genesis 3:17) and Christ came to restore all nature. For many years, I have been intrigued by St. Paul’s mysticism regarding the mystery of redemption as it relates to the renewal of the cursed earth. Most modern commentators take scant notice of the passages, and I think most theologians since the enlightenment have tended to spiritualize the references and interpret them simply as urgings to “good will” among men. It seems to me our repetition of the creed, our concentration on “the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come”, coupled with the emphasis on the “salvation of the soul” or “immortality of the soul” has led us to concentrate on the restoring of our lives and to neglect the fleshing out our understanding of “the restoration of all things.” The God who will “wipe tears off all faces” comforted the lady as she read the few verses from Isaiah, Jesus and Paul. Psalm 148: 148:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 148:2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 148:3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 148:4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that [be] above the heavens. 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 148:9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 148:10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 148:11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 148:12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.