And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.
Genesis 2:19
Last week I lost my cat of 17 years. About 10 days earlier we had noticed she was losing her appetite. By the end, she wasn't eating at all, and was struggling to walk. Our neighbor, who is also a veterinarian, examined her and said it was time to put her down. Although it was the compassionate thing to do, it was also one of the most difficult decisions I've made.
I spent the last morning of her life working at home with her by my side. The vet came over in the early afternoon to euthanize her at our home, laying on her favorite rug in front of the wood stove. She went peacefully. But watching her die and seeing her lifeless little body on the rug afterwards was hard to endure.
One of my sympathetic friends said the death of a pet is harder for him than the death of most people, simply because pets are so loyal and accepting. A pet is always happy to see you no matter how cruel the world may have been to you. Through this I have been wondering what happens to our beloved pets when they die, especially in view of our faith in a loving and good God.
Do Pets Go to Heaven?
The Scriptures are silent about animal immortality. However, as C.S. Lewis wrote, this silence 'would be fatal only if Christian revelation showed any signs of being intended as a système de la nature answering all questions. But it is nothing of the sort...If animals were, in fact, immortal, it is unlikely, from what we discern of God's method in the revelation, that He would have revealed this truth." Lewis' gave an excellent discussion about this topic but concluded that it certainly seems possible that certain animals (e.g., pets) have immortality. (1)
The Scriptures, Animals, and the Redemption of the Earth
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth....Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind...And God saw that it was good. (2) God spoke animals into existence and called them good.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time...[but that] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (3) Pets are a part of God's creation, which is at present groaning under bondage to decay.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth...God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (4) C.S. Lewis certainly had these verses in mind when he stated his belief that the destiny of our animals is: "part and parcel of the new heaven and new earth, organically related to the whole suffering process of the world's fall and redemption." (1)
In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. (5)
This indicates there will be animals in the new earth. And as John Eldredge noted (after the death of his beloved dog), if there are lions and lambs in the kingdom, why would God stop there? (6)
Whither, Little Shay?
The morning after Shay's death, I stood looking out of my third story window at work. Towards the east were dark storm clouds. Suddenly the sun broke through and turned the trees and buildings of the K-State campus a golden color that was strikingly beautiful against the dark sky. God was so present and comforting in that moment.
I believe I will see Shay again, and I hope that she will be on my greeting committee when I arrive at heaven's shore.
Goodbye little Shay, but only for now!
Footnotes
(1) Lewis, C.S. Animal Pain, a chapter in "The Problem of Pain".
(2) Genesis 1:1, 24-25
(3) Romans 8:21-22
(4) Revelation 21:1,4
(5) Isaiah 11:6-7a.
(6) Eldredge, John. "Walking with God".
Genesis 2:19
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| Shay always laid on my suitcase whenever I was packing to travel. It was her way of protesting and saying she didn't want me to go! I didn't want her to go on her last day either. |
I spent the last morning of her life working at home with her by my side. The vet came over in the early afternoon to euthanize her at our home, laying on her favorite rug in front of the wood stove. She went peacefully. But watching her die and seeing her lifeless little body on the rug afterwards was hard to endure.
One of my sympathetic friends said the death of a pet is harder for him than the death of most people, simply because pets are so loyal and accepting. A pet is always happy to see you no matter how cruel the world may have been to you. Through this I have been wondering what happens to our beloved pets when they die, especially in view of our faith in a loving and good God.
Do Pets Go to Heaven?
The Scriptures are silent about animal immortality. However, as C.S. Lewis wrote, this silence 'would be fatal only if Christian revelation showed any signs of being intended as a système de la nature answering all questions. But it is nothing of the sort...If animals were, in fact, immortal, it is unlikely, from what we discern of God's method in the revelation, that He would have revealed this truth." Lewis' gave an excellent discussion about this topic but concluded that it certainly seems possible that certain animals (e.g., pets) have immortality. (1)
The Scriptures, Animals, and the Redemption of the Earth
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth....Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind...And God saw that it was good. (2) God spoke animals into existence and called them good.
 |
| My daughter Erin holding Shay many years ago. Shay brought much joy to our family. |
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth...God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (4) C.S. Lewis certainly had these verses in mind when he stated his belief that the destiny of our animals is: "part and parcel of the new heaven and new earth, organically related to the whole suffering process of the world's fall and redemption." (1)
In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. (5)
This indicates there will be animals in the new earth. And as John Eldredge noted (after the death of his beloved dog), if there are lions and lambs in the kingdom, why would God stop there? (6)
Whither, Little Shay?
The morning after Shay's death, I stood looking out of my third story window at work. Towards the east were dark storm clouds. Suddenly the sun broke through and turned the trees and buildings of the K-State campus a golden color that was strikingly beautiful against the dark sky. God was so present and comforting in that moment.
I believe I will see Shay again, and I hope that she will be on my greeting committee when I arrive at heaven's shore.
Goodbye little Shay, but only for now!
Footnotes
(1) Lewis, C.S. Animal Pain, a chapter in "The Problem of Pain".
(2) Genesis 1:1, 24-25
(3) Romans 8:21-22
(4) Revelation 21:1,4
(5) Isaiah 11:6-7a.
(6) Eldredge, John. "Walking with God".
