God Simplified

Tag: Animals

  • Do Animals Go To Heaven?

    Do animals go to heaven? Will I see “Spot” in heaven? Will God take good care of “Rover”? These and similar questions are those we, as parents, have to handle. This happens when their child(ren) experiences the loss of a pet. Of course, as a good parent, you always just say “Yes!” “Of course God will take care of “Spot”! Yes! Of course “Rover” will be waiting for you in heaven!” All the while, maybe not being so sure yourself. Well, now you can feel better about telling your little one “yes”. This post is more than my opinion on the situation. I have quotes from experts in their fields. Biblical backing on what a soul is and that we, as well as our pets, have one. There are verses in the Bible that reassure me. They suggest animals have souls. These verses also say that animals will be in the new heavens and earth. I will present verses like Proverbs 145:9 “The Lord is good to all. He has compassion on all He has made” (NIV). I feel these verses decisively show God is a God of love. They also show He will take care of the animals. The Bible doesn’t explicitly state whether animals have souls or will go to heaven. I am more than confident in my findings. And if you are reading this only to figure out what to tell your child(ren); I’ve got you covered. For those of you who have lost a beloved family pet, I am deeply sorry. I am an empty-nester. I find myself leaning on my pets more and more for love and companionship. They help me deal with the sadness of my girls being out of the house. They are my fur babies, but they, too, won’t be here forever. I pray this post helps you and gives you the hope of seeing your fur babies in the afterlife.

    Definition of a Soul

    The definition of soul and the general consensus is “what animates and gives life to the body”. It is the non-physical dimension of a living being that survives after death. In Hebrew-“Nephesh”, in Greek-“Psyche”. You will see those words periodically throughout this post. Logically speaking, I could stop right there. The definition, alone, seems to state that animals have a soul just because they are living beings. But, I will go further for the skeptics. The biblical definition is more holistic. A soul refers to the entire person. A living being with thoughts, emotions and will. It is not seen as a disembodied entity, but as a living being given life by God. This also includes animals. Using that definition, a soul is made up of mind, will, and emotions. I will break those down.

    Mind is:

    • Intellect-the ability to think, understand, and learn new things
    • Thoughts-ideas, pictures or feelings that appear in your mind
    • Reason-how to solve problems and think things through

    Will is:

    • Desire-strong feelings of really wanting something
    • Choices-picking something from a group
    • Self-control-being capable of making yourself wait or stop

    Emotion is:

    • Feelings-what happens inside you when things happen around you

    I will explain this by what I know and have experienced, with a little back-up from scientists. As far as mind goes, it is obvious that animals have intellect because they operate from day to day. They understand the things that we say and can learn things. My dog and, yes, even my cats, know many words like “outside” and nigh-night”. They know “outside” gets the back door open. Only the dog gets to go out unless we (cats) are on harnesses. “Nigh-night” means we get treats. Cats will come running from anywhere in the house when they hear these words and many others. Thought helps them navigate the world around them. Scientists have determined that, yes, animals do form thoughts. They can problem solve and use tools to achieve their goals. They say, many animals show “complex social interactions, cooperation, empathy and communication” within social groups that they form. Animals have “demonstrated strong memory and learning capabilities.” Stories show that animals remember their owners. This is clear when they come home after being away for years in the military. Scientists say that some animals, such as dolphins and magpies, recognize themselves in mirrors. This behavior suggests a level of self-awareness once thought to be exclusive to humans. Those examples adequately cover the minds aspect of soul. For “will” I will use my dog as an example. She experiences a strong sense of desire every day. She wants to play with one of her toys. Some toys need my assistance. My dog, we call her a “dat” (dog/cat). Her toys of choice are ones we bought for and are normally specific to cats. She loves to chase a feather that is attached by a string to a small pole that we move around. Her other favorite is a “mouse” that randomly moves around under a cover. We have to keep them on the porch when they are not in use. Her want to constantly play with them is so strong that she drives us nuts. She is 14 years old. We have to limit her play time with these toys. This is because of how hard she plays. She continually shows her desire throughout the day, by nagging at us when she wants to play again. As far as choices go, she will always choose the pole with the feather on a string. Scientists state that “animals demonstrate various forms of self-control…”. Animals have shown the ability to, voluntarily, wait for a more desirable reward in tests conducted. They can delay gratification and be patient. They show restraint and problem solve to receive a larger or preferred reward. The same tests have been done on children with similar results. In some cases, the animals showed more self-control than the human subjects. Finally, we come to emotions. I have already said that scientists have found that empathy exists in some animal groups. Scientists have also found emotions like joy, fear and grief. “Physiological responses to emotional situations, like increased heart rate or changes in hormone levels, (have been) observed in animals, similar to humans.” MRI’s have shown the same brain activity in humans and animals when presented with certain stimuli and situations. I can see how some people believe the situational necessity for animal testing. I, personally, do not agree with it and the conditions the animals are forced to live in. You don’t need science to tell you that animals have emotions, especially if you are a pet owner yourself. They purr and wag their tails when they are happy or excited. The cats are very vocal and they pout when they don’t get their way. They also pout when they don’t get treats when they feel they should. My cats fully trust me by confidently exposing their necks and belly’s to be petted. When they are mad they will withhold affection. Missy B, my Chihuahua, will whimper and whine when she doesn’t feel well or doesn’t get her way. My sister has a small zoo of emotional animals at her house. One of her dogs, Nola, is INSANELY jealous. She will, literally, step on and push other animals out of the way if they are getting attention. Taco, female cat, is deathly afraid of Wesley B, a male cat. All animals have been, responsibly, fixed. Stinky is neurotic and cleans herself obsessively. Loki is VERY vocal about his desire for attention and to go outside. The chickens even have their own personalities. We love them and they love us. We don’t need science to tell us that. Biblically, a soul is a living, breathing being made up of mind, will and emotion. I have, in my estimation, proven all those things exist in animals. This, further, adds to my theory that animals have souls and do go to heaven.

    Proof of Souls in Humans

    There are people who don’t believe in souls at all. I will attempt to change their minds. Norman Geisler, theologian, philosopher and apologist (a person who defends and advocates for a particular belief. They use historical evidence, logical reasoning and scientific data. They also use biblical scholarship and philosophical arguments to convince others of the credibility and integrity of their viewpoint). He summarizes, “biblical anthropology” (a “holistic study of mankind”). He determined that “Humans have an inner [immaterial] dimension and an outer [material] dimension. The former is often called soul [or spirit] and the latter is usually called the body.” 1. The secular definition or “concept” of soul is the non-physical psychological aspects of a person. It relates to mind and mental process. It is also experiential, emphasizing the act of doing, feeling, and encountering something first-hand as the primary source of understanding. Soul is called the “essence of”, the “mind of” or “inner being” of a person. Scientists will say that we have no soul because they can’t see, measure, or poke and prod it. We have already determined that, by definition, the soul is non-physical. It is the immaterial essence of a living being. We wouldn’t expect to see it. The Bible gives evidence of a soul. All verses in this section are from the NIV-New International Version, unless specified.

    • Genesis 2:7 “the Lord formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (“Breath of life” is translated “soul”)
    • Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
    • Psalm 23:3 (NKJV) “he restores my soul ….”
    • Psalm 103:1 “Praise the Lord, O my soul ; all my inmost being, praise (H)is holy name.” (“Inmost being” is defined as “soul”)
    • Ezekiel 18:4 “For every living soul belongs to (M)e the (F)ather as well as the (S)on-both alike belong to (M)e.”
    • Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
    • Matthew 16:26 “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
    • Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates, even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

    Remember I told you about the Hebrew and Greek words? The Hebrew word “Nephesh” translates “soul”, “mind”, “life”, “living being”, and “breath of life”. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew so it’s only found there. It appears 753 times. In 428 of those “nephesh” are translated “soul”. The New Testament was written in Greek. The word “psyche” is translated “soul”, “mind”, “life”, “living being” and “breath of life”. The word “psyche” appears in the New Testament 105 times. In 58 of those it is translated “soul”.

    There are countless prominent figures who believe in the existence of a human soul. Here are some.

    • Rene Descartes, considered the father of modern philosophy, advocated for “mind-body dualism” and stated the soul (or mind as its often called) is a “distinct, non-physical substance separate from the body”
    • Thomas Aquinas, medieval theologian, believed every living “thing” has a soul. He identified 3 types of souls. The “Rational Soul”-highest level soul-was unique to human beings. It includes the basic functions of the “Vegetative Soul”-nutrition, growth and reproduction. It also had the “powers” of the “Sensitive Soul.” These include sensation and perception (internal and external). The External senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. The “internal senses” are memory, estimation, and imagination. These allow them to “move, feel, and interact with their surroundings.” The “Rational Soul” has the added “powers” of intellect and will. These let the being (humans) “reason, comprehend abstract thoughts, engage in “higher-order cognitive functions” and make free will choices”.
    • Plato and Aristotle both believed people had souls (psyche). They thought souls are “what gives life to and animates the body.”
    • A rabbi and prominent 19th century thinker named Samson Raphael Hirsch, held specific beliefs about the human soul. He thought it was a “unique, spiritual essence directly connected with God.” He said that the soul was the “core of human beings. It gives them intellect and moral freedom. It also provides the ability to connect with God’s will.”
    • Socrates believed the soul (psyche) was the “essence of a person, the seat of character and intelligence.” He contended that the soul was immortal and the most divine feature of humans.
    • St.Augustine of Hippo was a highly influential Christian theologian. He viewed the soul as an “immaterial, immortal substance. It was created by God and intrinsically (belonging naturally) linked to the body.”
    • One editor of The Soul Hypothesis says that “It is obvious to him that he cannot be simply a physical object, subject to all and only the laws of physics, given his first person experience, his ability to reason, and his ability to make free choices guided by his purposes. It is also evident that, as a soul, he is able to cause events in his body, such as voluntary movements; agency is clearly possible. This then raises the possibility that there is some other, greater soul, who can in a real and purposeful manner cause events not only to one particular animal body, but anywhere in the natural universe. Such a being would be God….” 2. All of that jibrish is a core argument for a non-physical aspect of human existence or a soul. It says the physical body is limited by the laws of physics. That there has to be another part to humans that exist outside of the physical. This is due to a person having the capability for free-will choices and reasoning. It presents the non-physical entity as the soul, who is responsible for the free-will choices and reasoning. Then he introduces the idea that a “greater soul” exists. It can affect choices beyond the physical realm. The “greater soul” is implied to be God. In short, if you believe in God, it is extremely easy for you to believe in the human soul. For those of you who don’t believe in God, do you experience everything from your own unique perspective? Do you have the ability to reason? Do you make free-will choices? Do you make your body move just because you want to? If you answered yes, you are well on your way to believing in a soul.

    Proof of Animal Souls

    Now, to the proof of an animal soul. Remember the basic definition of soul-the immaterial component or heart of a living being. Also seen as the animating principle that gives life, feeling, thought and action. It differentiates living beings from inanimate objects. First, we go back to Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. He acknowledges that the Hebrew term nephesh chayyah (“living soul”) pertains to animals as well as humans in Genesis. This term suggests that animals, like humans, have a life force and are living beings with “sensations and instincts”. Hirsch also acknowledged that animals have souls. If you remember previously, animals have, what Hirsch calls, a ”Sensitive Soul”. This means they have basic life functions like getting nutrition and reproduction. They also have the “powers” of sensation and perception to interact with their surroundings. I, do, beg to differ with his opinion on the “Rational Soul” being exclusive to humans. The “Rational Soul” includes the “powers” of intellect and will. I showed in the “Definition of a Soul” section that animals have intellect and will. This would mean animals are not, just, “Sensitive Souls” but “Rational Souls”. Hirsch goes on to say that “maternal love in animals stems from feeling rather than reasoning.” This is a trait they share with humans. This implies a capability for sensation and emotion in animals. Jewcology.org-Judaism and Animal Rights says that “animals react to physical pain just as humans do when injured. They are just as sensitive to cuts, blows and beatings as man.” J.P. Moreland, Ph.D, American philosopher, theologian and Christian apologist, says that when we look at behavior alone, a dog that steps on a thorn, howls. They hold their paw up. Humans do the same thing. People then attempt to pull the thorn out-dogs do the same. Moreland goes on to say, “from this, we can deduce that animals have/experience things like consciousness (the realization of stepping on a thorn), sensation (pain), emotions, desires ( to remover the thorn)(and problem solving [how to remove the thorn]). Sometimes they even have thoughts and beliefs. Animals can’t be dismissed as merely machines.” With the advancements in AI, the differences between man and machine are getting fewer. However, they are still there. Basically, a machine doesn’t have a soul and the characteristics that go along with it. Moreland continues, “Animals, at least higher-functioning animals, have a non-physical dimension to them. Animals don’t seem to have a sense of what is morally right if it goes against instincts/conditioning (training-animals can be conditioned/trained to make choices we would see as helpful and conscientious. They also don’t seem to have free will, in the human sense (we can make choices not predetermined by our desires and beliefs).” 3. I, personally, have a few things to say about Mr. Moreland’s statement about animals knowing what is morally right and free will. Animals can’t communicate, with words, what is morally right to them. Therefore, we, really, have no way of knowing what is morally right to certain animal species. Maybe they use their free will to go against what they believe is morally right. There are people who, truly, have no concept of what is morally right. People, also, use their free will to go against what is considered morally right on a daily basis. I know that no matter how much training my cats have, yes, I have trained my cats, they will use, what I consider free will, to claw at the arm of my chair, even with me sitting in it. The definition of free will, in a human sense, is “the capacity of being able to make choices and decisions that are genuinely their own, uninfluenced by external factors.” It’s about exerting control over their own actions. No matter how well trained or how many times they get a stern voice or sprayed with a water bottle, my cats will claw the chair and my dog will chew thing up. That, according to the definition, sounds like free will. J.P. Moreland says this about animal souls. “Animals are precious creatures of God and ought to be respected as such. But the animal soul is not as richly structured as the human soul, it doesn’t bear the image of God, and is far more dependent on the animals body and its sense organs than is the human soul.” 4. To which, I agree, commend and question. I agree and commend Mr. Moreland for agreeing and acknowledging the fact that animals have souls. But, I question what he says about animals not being made in the image of God. Also about being more dependent on their bodies and sense organs. First, I ask, how do you know? I realize and acknowledge that the Bible says man is made in the image of God. But the definition of “made in the image of God” means the belief that humanity was created to “reflect and represent God’s nature and character.” “Nature” means “essential qualities and basic character of something.” “Character” means “moral, ethical or distinctive qualities of something.” There are animals created that represent the “character” of God. All of the following verses are from the NKJV-New King James Version.

    • Lion-powerful symbol of His strength and majesty, courage and sovereignty. Isaiah 31:4; Hosea 11:10 “They shall walk after the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, then His sons shall come trembling from the west.”
    • Lamb-gentleness, innocence, purity and sacrifice. John 1:29 “…Behold! The lamb of God takes away the sins of the world!”
    • Eagle-divine elevation, power, protection, ability to soar above difficulties. Exodus 19:4 “… how I have bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” Isaiah 40:31 “…Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
    • Dove-peace, purity, love, presence of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:16 “…and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.”
    • Ox/Bull-strength, God’s power. Numbers 23:22 “God brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox.
    • Serpent-(usually used regarding evil) sign of healing and salvation. Numbers 21:8-9 “…fiery serpent…everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live….”
    • Raven-God’s provision. 1 Kings 17:2-6 “Then the word of the Lord came to him…I have commanded the ravens to feed you there…the ravens brought him bread and meat….”
    • Ezekiel 1:10 Ezekiel’s vision showed God with the faces of a lion, an ox and an eagle.

    Finally, the question as to animals being more dependent on their bodies and sense organs. Again, how do you know? What evidence or scientific study is there? Most importantly, it doesn’t say that in the Bible.

    As I will show, the Bible routinely states that animals were created by God and possess “nephesh”, translated “soul”, “living creature”, “life”, “breath of life”. All the following verses come from the NKJV-New King James Version unless noted.

    • Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 says that “the sons of man” and “animals” “all have one breath”. The same “breath of life” from God. They “all return to dust” after death emphasizing their similarities with how they interact with the world.
    • Genesis 6:17 “And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.”
    • Genesis 7:15 “And they went to the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life.”
    • Genesis 7:21-22 “And all flesh died that moved on the earth:birds, cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died.”
    • Genesis 1:30 (NIV) “And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and the creatures that move on the ground-everything that has the breath of life in it-I give every green plant for food.”
    • Job 12:7-10 (NIV) says the earth and all creatures know what God can do/has done. Verse 10 says “In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job is talking about every living thing in the same sentence with the breath. The entire verse is about the animals, so I take “the breath of all mankind” to be about the animals.
    • Psalm 104:30 speaks of the fish in the sea. The verse says “When You send forth Your spirit, they are created…” implying God’s spirit is in the fish that God creates. That would also stand true for other living creatures being created by the Spirit of God.
    • Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 “…surely they have one breath; man has no advantage over animals…. All go to one place: all are from dust, and return to dust.”

    Animals in Heaven After Christs’ Return

    Even with all that I have presented, people may still choose not to believe that animals have souls. There will be animals in the new heavens and earth after Christs’ return. The following verses show evidence of that. These verses are all from the NIV.

    • Isaiah 11:6-11 describes a peaceful coexistence between predator and prey (wolf/lamb)(leopard/goat), child and snake in God’s restored kingdom.
    • Isaiah 65:17-25 speaks of the new heavens and a new earth and what they will look like. Verse 25 says “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox”. This implying animals will be present, after tribulation, in the new eternal existence.
    • Psalm 36:6 states in the last line “O Lord, you preserve both people and animals.”
    • Luke 12:6 mentions that not a single sparrow is forgotten by God. This shows a divine concern for animals that goes beyond their role on earth. It offers the basis for hope regarding their eternal destination.
    • Revelation 5:13 mentions every creature in heaven and on earth praising God in His restored kingdom. This signifies the new heavens and new earth.

    A soul , by definition, is what animates and gives life to the body. That definition alone should suggest that animals have souls. A more narrow explanation is that it is the non-physical dimension of a living thing. Given the similarities between humans and animals on a non-physical level: consciousness, will, desire, emotions, etc., I find it hard for someone not to conclude that animals, do in fact, have a soul. This post is filled with with facts and biblical references that prove a few things. First, I discussed what a soul is. I went on to prove that there is such a thing as a soul and that humans have one. From there, I feel that I have given compelling evidence that animals have souls.Finally, I discussed animals place in God’s restored kingdom. Adam was just a bag of skin and bones until God breathed life (a soul) into him. Is it so hard to believe? God breathed the same breath into animals. Wouldn’t they have a soul as well? For those of you who believe animals can’t have a personal relationship with Christ, therefore they can’t go to heaven. Animals very existence is praise to God and Christ. They may not worship the same way that humans do, but they give God glory.They reflect God’s creative power. Their, differences, complexity and beauty point to God as a masterful designer and artist. The fact that they fulfill their purposes in nature can be viewed as honoring God. What about the tribes that are WAY off the grid that missionaries haven’t gotten to yet? Will they not go to heaven just because they weren’t given a chance to know? And what about babies and small children? It would be a shame if they didn’t go to heaven. We’d be missing out on so much. I love a good belly laugh from a baby. I hope that this has convinced those who didn’t believe or were on the fence. If you wanted to believe, here’s your opportunity. If you already believed, here’s the confirmation that you have been right. Like I said, God is a God of love. He loves everything He has created. Why would He leave half of it out?

    1. Norman Geisler, Systematic Theology, Vol.3: Sin and Salvation (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2004), 46.
    2. J.P. Moreland,The Soul:How We Know It’s Real and Why It Matters, (Chicago:Moody Publishers, 2014), 158-159.
    3. Ibid, 142.
    4. Ibid, 145.