Every Creature a Word of God - Softcover

Annika Spalde; Pelle Strindlund

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0971667632 ISBN 13: 9780971667631

Publisher: Vegetarian Advocates Press, 2008

Synopsis

What does a spirituality that affirms God s love for all creatures look like? Borrowing from a breadth of sources, including the Bible and Christian monks, mystics, sages, and saints, Annika Spalde and Pelle Strindlund have written a unique and compelling book. Christian authorities often emphasize doctrinal orthodoxy and obedience, but Spalde and Strindlund appeal to the many lay Christians who have a sense that God's compassion is the core Christian message. However, Spalde and Strindlund show that many Christians so far have not applied this principal to nonhuman creation. Perhaps the book's most compelling argument resides in Spalde's and Strindlund's personal testimonies. They have been animal activists in a complete sense, frequently exchanging imprisonment for an opportunity to inform the public about the tragic plight of animals on modern factory farms. On several occasions, they and their companions have openly liberated animals raiding factory farms and transferring animals to safe homes and then accepting the legal consequences of what the law regards as theft. Their nonviolent actions, inspired by the nonviolent activism of Mohandas Gandhi in India, has resulted in their being physically and psychologically abused, but they believe that their own plight has been mild compared to the miserable lives of animals confined their entire lives on factory farms. This book will inform, inspire, and challenge a broad range of readers, from those dedicated to animal protectionism to those who have not yet made the connection between loving animals and choosing not to eat them.

About this title

About the Author:

Annika Spalde (1969-) is an ordained deacon of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran) and a founding member of the Swedish Christian Vegetarian Movement. Her work for nonviolence and justice has included participation in the Trident Ploughshares campaign to abolish the British nuclear arsenal; organizing against the Swedish arms industry; serving as an Edumenical Accompanier in Israel/Palestine; working as an assistant nurse in Paraguay; and living with homeless at a Catholic Worker house in Duluth Minnesota. Pelle Strindlund (1971-) holds an MA in Religious Studies and is a founding member of The Rescue Service, a Swedish animal rights organization working with nonviolent civil disobedience. His commitment to justice and peace has led him to volunteer as a social worker in Tyler, Texas; live with threatened indigenous villagers in Guatemala; and accompany harassed children to and from school in Palestine.

Review:

Many books about animals, diet, and Christianity have been written for a general audience, but this one is now the best. The authors mix personal stories with Biblical insight and passionate argument to produce a book that is as creative as it is earnest and focused. This book is beautifully written and carefully argued. It would be the perfect book for a Bible study or church study group. Warning: it is an enjoyable read, but it might change your life. Stephen H. Webb, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Wabash College, author of Good Eating and On God and Dogs: A Christian Theology of Compassion for Animals. --review comments

In Every Creature a Word of God, Spalde and Strindlund have produced a remarkable volume on the appropriate Christian attitudes to the other animals with whom we share this planet. The book reflects wide learning in theology and the human-animal relationship; yet it remains entirely accessible to those interested in the subject matter but who lack the breadth of learning of the authors. I have no doubt this volume will prove to be extremely popular not only with Christians seeking a deeper understanding of the moral and scriptural implications of their own faith but also with those of more secular bent who want to understand the historical and ethical implications of Christianity toward animals. Rod Preece, Professor Emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada, author of Animal Welfare and Human Values, and Animals and Nature: Cultural Myths, Cultural Realities --review comments

Gracefully combining balanced scholarship with personal witness, animal activists Annika Spalde and Pelle Strindlund have written a book that will enable Christians of all denominations to rediscover the powerful tradition of creaturely compassion that runs throughout their religious history. Reverend Gary Kowalski, author of The Souls of Animals and The Bible According to Noah: Theology as if Animals Mattered. --review comments

About this edition

• Publisher: Vegetarian Advocates Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0971667632
• ISBN 13: 9780971667631
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 162