Photograph by Joe Caione (Unsplash)
I can’t bear in mind the primary time I used to be requested this query, however I do know one factor—it wasn’t the final:
“Is my canine in Heaven?”
Substitute cat for canine, the occasional parakeet, and every other fish or animal people change into connected to, and you’ve got the nice crucible of pastoral care and theology.
So… are they?
I’ll offer you my reply, however first, this actually is a matter. Because the Washington Publish not too long ago reported:
Congregations and different non secular and spiritual teams are more and more providing grief packages for individuals who misplaced animals. Main theological teams such because the American Academy of Faith and the Society for Biblical Research now have items dedicated to “animal theology” analysis. That realm contains non secular textual references and rituals about bonds between people and animals, and the presence of religious-like habits in animals, corresponding to mourning rituals.
The share of Individuals who say their pets are “a part of their household” has jumped up to now 20 years from about 80 to 97 p.c, Pew Analysis discovered. In a 2023 ballot, Pew discovered that 51 p.c of pet homeowners stated their animal was as a lot a member of the family as a human was.
Let’s start with some theology. Solely people are made within the picture of God and, consequently, solely people have a soul. This soul is what permits people to reply to and relate with the dwelling God. This standing is exclusive inside creation.
However animals do matter to God. Take into account these phrases from God: “For all of the animals of the forest are mine, and I personal the cattle on a thousand hills. I do know each hen on the mountains, and all of the animals of the sphere are mine” (Psalm 50:10-11, NLT). After which there’s the care prolonged to them by way of the Sabbath. Within the ebook of Exodus, we learn: “You could have six days every week in your strange work, however on the seventh day you need to cease working. This provides your ox and your donkey an opportunity to relaxation” (Exodus 23:12, NLT).
There’s a one-liner within the ebook of Deuteronomy that will be simple to miss when it comes to significance, however Sandra Richter, in her ebook Stewards of Eden, made me mirror on it anew. It reads, “You should not muzzle an ox to maintain it from consuming because it treads out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4, NLT). That doesn’t appear that vital till you understand that a lot of the authentic recipients of that course have been subsistence farmers. The 5 to seven kilos of grain that an ox might eat over the course of a single day of threshing have been 5 to seven kilos of grain that farmer might have sorely used. The temptation would have been to muzzle the ox, to forestall it from consuming, to present it much less meals to do the naked minimal to maintain it alive. To work it to loss of life.
God stated, “No.”
Profit from the fruit of their labor, however deal with them effectively and take care of them effectively.
After which, with the Nice Flood involving Noah, don’t overlook that whereas that was an incredible judgment on the world, He saved animals together with people for the second likelihood that adopted. It’s very clear that within the covenant that God made to by no means flood the world once more, He didn’t make the covenant simply with Noah and his household. He made the covenant with the animals.
So sure, animals matter to God.
However will they be in Heaven?
If the query is framed in such a approach to ask if animals have a soul akin to people, and can they be saved as such, the reply is, “No.” They neither have souls nor will they face eternity in Heaven or Hell based mostly on their response to the cross-work of Christ.
However that also leaves whether or not they are going to be in Heaven as, effectively… animals. Right here is the best reply I’ve discovered to present: all the pieces it’s worthwhile to be glad and content material shall be in Heaven. Chances are you’ll discover that you’re shocked at what that entails, however relaxation assured, that would be the actuality of your scenario. If which means animals, it means animals. And if we’re to take the lion mendacity down with the lamb imagery actually, then sure, they’ll undoubtedly be there.
In order for Fido?
Whether or not with you or not, you may relaxation assured of 1 different factor:
… he issues to God.
James Emery White
Sources
Michelle Boorstein, “Will My Canine Be in Heaven? Why Grieving Pet House owners Flip to Spiritual Teams.” The Washington Publish, September 14, 2025, learn on-line.
Sandra Richter, Stewards of Eden.
