Animals in Christian Theology

Abstract

Animals appear to have been pushed to the margins of Christian theology. Andrew Linzey's pioneering animal theology remedied this but now requires further development. Deeper readings are needed of historical theologians like Thomas Aquinas and Augustine on the topics of reason, rights and analogy. Physiologus and later Christian bestiaries must be mined in order to show how animals and other sentient beings, both real and mythical, image Christ and Christian virtues. Furthermore, present-day forms of animal-human relationality, including pet ownership and meateating, need to be appraised theologically. The result, achieved via close textual reading, constructive synthesis and interdisciplinary engagement, will be a theological re-evaluation of animals and other sentient beings as moral agents and theological sources.