This book, one in a series of books on the ethics of human dealings with animals, deals with what the author calls a theology of animals. He says in his preface, “My aim is to introduce the already familiar C.S. Lewis as an animal thinker who invites a specifically Christian response to animals (xiii).” How is this possible? How can there be a Christian response to animals? The author here looks at the Genesis narrative and how Lewis used this to form his own opinion of animals.
To begin with, I would like to say that he leaves what we would classify as a Christian view of animals very ambiguous to begin with. He leaves this discussion merely by talking about different scripture passages that reference animals. I truly believe that what he is missing here is the view that man was created in the image of God. Our view of animals should be shaped by the fact that we are made in God’s image and they are not. We are to have dominion over and care for them.
He then looks at Lewis’s writings. He used Genesis to talk about animals in a peaceful co-existence with humans, humanity’s dominion over animals, the loss of paradise, animals as food, and the animal-human community.
Unfortunately, through all of this, though analyzing Lewis’s opinions superbly, the authors own opinions are misguided by not understanding the Biblical side of Lewis’s thinking. He thinks he does in some cases, but, again it is misguided. For this reason, I give this book 2.5 stars out of 5.
WHERE TO BUY THIS BOOK:
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THIS BOOK:
Gilmour, Michael J. Animals in the Writings of C.S. Lewis. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International, 2017.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Springer book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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