The Best of the PhxP

I knew it would happen if I kept writing cat vignettes.

I knew that the animal lovers would think they had found a kindred spirit who was also a preacher and they would write in large numbers, asking for a satisfying answer to the question that has vexed them.

I do so love the word “vexed”. I digress.

What I feared has come upon me and the question of course, is “Will my pet go to heaven?”

Are you crazy? Of course they will. (Although, some of my correspondents need to know that I’m sure their pets will make it, but I’m not certain that the person will ever be there to know that…)

The theologians in the crowd just passed out or spit, depending on whether they have cat food in their kitchens.

My cat (she’s my cat now, not the cat) just walked in and called for attention. I removed some painful burrs from her coat and fed her. She walked by my chair on the way out, put her paws on my lap and bumped her head against mine, then left. That was obviously her saying thank you… she did everything but leave a tip. I think she would have done that as well, but unemployment is high here and her coat has no pockets anyway.

She showed intelligence, affection, and gratitude. Our pets often outdo their owners in what we consider “godly” attributes. Their loyalty, love, and gratitude often exceed that which we receive from our own species. Those are God given virtues, they are not natural. Do not tell me that animals have no soul… they do not have a human soul, but they indeed have a soul.

They were present in the first creation, they will be present in the new creation, and the Bible celebrates them in the Millennium. Do not trouble me with arcane questions about sin and redemption… the Bible says that creation is groaning, awaiting its redemption, and it will be redeemed. How God does this is beyond my pay scale and beyond my caring. God created men and animals to have a unique relationship and to have the ability to bond in love. Those relationships and that love come from a common fountain and it springs eternal.

I will end with a quote from a real theologian, the esteemed Dr. Martin Luther speaking to his dog… “Be thou comforted, little dog,” he once said. “Thou too in Resurrection shall have a little golden tail.” Amen.

Newnham, Michael. Make Your Own Application: Cats, Kids, and Christ (pp. 32-33). Reader Hill. Kindle Edition.