1º(B.A. Bible/Biology)*
ANIMALS AND THEIR SOULS
THE BIBLE TEACHES that animals have a soul. Animals do not have a soul as advanced as humans, but they do have a soul. The same Hebrew word for "soul" used in the Old Testament in regard to man's creation is also used for animals, but the translators of the Bible did not want to translate it as "soul" for animals because it offended them. The word "soul" in the Bible has to do with conscious life, as opposed to bios, or simply plant and vegetative life.
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for "soul" ("nephesh") is used for both animal and man. For example, Genesis 1:21 says: "And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth ..." The words "living creature" are from the Hebrew words "nephesh chaiyah". The same Hebrew words are used in Genesis 2:7 where we read concerning the creation of man that after God had created man from the dust of the earth He then breathed into man the breath of life and man became a "living soul" ("nephesh chaiyah"). The Bible teaches that every creature which possess the breath of life has a soul.
The definition of "soul" actually varies according to the context of Scripture. The basic meaning of "soul" in Scripture refers to the mind or conscious nature in animals and man, possessing characteristics of thought, emotion, and will. Animals are not totally controlled by instinct. Animals can learn, love, and show and receive affection. They can get depressed. Witness some pets at their owners' funerals. Yes, animals can think and even figure things out. Even if animals need to be killed or used for food, they should killed as humanely as possible. Animals raised for food should be raised humanely as well. They have a soul. Cruelty and torture towards animals is sin.
The Bible teaches us to have sensitivity to animals’ feelings. We read in Deuteronomy 14:21 “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk” (NIV). Deuteronomy 22:6 says, “If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young” (NIV).
The Bible teaches in Genesis 1:30 that in the beginning all animals, birds, and insects subsisted on a vegetarian diet. God created a perfect world in the beginning. Suffering and death entered into the world only after man’s sin. Man’s sin not only affected mankind but everything under man’s dominion.
The soul may very well be physical and part of the body but distinct from the visible body. Even if the soul is not physical it wouldn't necessarily mean that soul is immortal. Immortality must be given.
Just because man is created in the image of God does not mean that man must possess every attribute God possess or that God can communicate to man. Man was not created immortal. That's why there was a Tree of Life planted in the midst of the Garden of Eden. Because of man's fall through original sin, immortality of soul and body is given to man only through faith in the God-Man Jesus Christ Who paid the penalty for our sins through His suffering, death, and shed blood, and who bodily rose from the grave.
Scripture teaches that one day, because of Christ’s redemptive work, God will restore all of creation and there will be no violence in the animal kingdom anymore.
Visit the author's popular website, THE SCIENCE SUPPORTING CREATION
Author of the popular Internet article, TRADITIONAL DOCTRINE OF HELL EVOLVED FROM GREEK ROOTS
*The author, Babu G. Ranganathan, has his bachelor's degree with concentrations in theology and biology and has been recognized for his writings on religion and science in the 24th edition of Marquis "Who's Who in the East."