What Does the Bible Say About Animals?

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What Does the Bible Say About Animals?

    About the book

    We live among animals. For millions of people, they provide companionship and emotional or physical support. They serve in public safety, and their bodies provide us food. Their very presence fills us with wonder. In the Book of Genesis, they are the first living beings created by God. The rest of Scripture is filled with diverse traditions about animal life and death. In this fascinating book, Jaime Waters surveys the biblical text to help us better understand, articulate, and appreciate the fascinating role of animals in the Bible.

    Contemporary culture swirls with interest in, and questions about, other animals. Many of us have pets or are fascinated by documentaries, news reports, and videos about animals. And we wonder: Will my beloved pet go to heaven? Do animals have rights? Should I be a vegan?

    As a biblical scholar, Jaime Waters, is aware of how difficult it is to say what the Bible says about a topic. Through the Bible’s large and challenging terrain, Jaime Waters is a wise and friendly guide. She points to the many passages in the Bible that we might use to answer our questions, warns us of interpretive dangers and offers insights. Yet she does this in admirably clear, concise, and accessible language that points to different ways passages can be interpreted and allows the reader to reflect and draw their own conclusions.

    Arthur Walker-Jones
    Professor of Religion and Culture at the University of Winnipeg

    About the author

    Jaime L. Waters was Associate Professor of Catholic Studies at DePaul University prior to becoming Associate Professor of Old Testament at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Waters is the author of Threshing Floors in Ancient Israel: Their Ritual and Symbolic Significance (Fortress Press, 2015) and a contributor to America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture. She holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from Johns Hopkins University.