The way he pushed this idea I got the feeling it was very important to his personal theology that this be the case. So I have to speculate:
My guess is that if animals are self aware and have a capacity for rational thought on some level, and especially an understanding of good and evil, then that makes them sinners. That idea would probably be unacceptable to J Mac. and most christians.
Existential data suggests to me that animals are more than mere "biological machines" and that they are capable of rational thought on a level lower than our own. I've observed my many cats problem solving, for example, and they have likes and dislikes that are individually unique.
Certainly animal behavior can be patterned and changed through the choice application of stimuli. I would suggest that so can human behavior.
I don't have a problem with the concept of animals being sinful. The universe is fallen. Animals die. God's judgement in the flood included animals specifically, and God declared "I am sorry that I have made them" (Gen. 6:7)
Further, it would not have been necessary for the sacrificial animals of the priestly services under the old covenant to be pure and innocent in reality to fulfill the symbolic appearance of innocence. These were types and shadows; visual illustrations of the reality of Christ- the true and only acceptable substitionary sacrifice, innocent and pure and absolutely unspotted with sin.
And lastly there is the misconstrued idea that God must needs have a plan of redemption for the animals if they are indeed sinfull. I suppose that people think it would be necessarily consistant with the character of God that He provide a way of redemption and reconcilliation for any intelligent, self aware, and sinful creature. But evidentally not- for the fallen angels (demons) have no redeemer and no possibilty of salvation.
In fact, people should really get that- the reason demons can't be saved is not because of the extent of their wickedness but because they have no redeemer! The have no substitutionary sin bearer to be a propitiation for their sins.
And that brings to mind the topic of extraterrestrial intelligent life, and specifically one of the most oft heard Christian objections to that possibility-"did Jesus go to their planet and die for them too?"
My counter question is "why would God have to redeem them?"
I'm not advocating a specific view of animal behavior and certainly not suggesting that aliens absolutely exist- but I have to question the wisdom of absolutely rejecting animal reasonableness or the existence of intelligent lifeforms other than humans based on shakey thelogical presuppositions.
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Very interesting. I dropped by to return the blog visit and thank you for your comments on mine. My husband really likes John MacArthur's teachings, but I'm not sure if he's heard this one.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree than animals have self-awareness and problem solving capabilities. I think the difference is that they did not receive the breath of life as Adam did, nor were they created in His image (which is another ball of theological wax). Animals behave according the nature they were created with. Mankind, on the other hand, does not.
OTOH, I don't believe animals go to hell, so they do not need to be saved from it. I can't back that up scripturally, but Matt. 25:41 tells us it was created for Satan and his angles. People only go there because they choose to reject redemption and the Redeemer. Animals don't have that capacity.
Hmm, well I reckon the same could be said about aliens. DH and I ponder this from time to time. He usually goes back to John 3:16, which states "world" in the singular, not plural. Anyway, interesting post. You've give me new food for thought.
CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the meaning of calling on the name of the Lord? Many assume that believing in Jesus and saying a form of a sinner's prayer constitutes, calling on the name of the Lord. The problem with that theory is none of the conversions under the New Covenant support that assumption. Not one time is anyone ever told to believe and say the sinner's prayer in order to be saved.
The apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost quoted the prophet Joel, Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
The apostle Peter preached the first gospel sermon under the New Covenant. Peter did not tell the 3000 converts to believe and say the sinner's prayer.
Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He preached Jesus as both Lord and Christ. When they heard this they asked Peter and the rest of the brethren what they should do?(Acts 2:22-37) Peter told them what to do. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)
How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost call on the name of the Lord and become saved?
1. They believed that Jesus was both Lord and Christ.
2. They believed that God raised Jesus from the grave.
3. They repented. Repentance is a change of heart. Repentance means to be converted so that God may forgive your sins. Repentance is to make the intellectual commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God. (Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38)
4. They were immersed in water (baptized) so that their sins could be forgiven.
How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost not call on the name of the Lord?
1. They did not say a sinner's prayer.
2. Not one person was asked to pray for forgiveness.
3. Not one single man was told to be baptized as a testimony of his faith.
4. No one was told that water baptism was a just an act of obedience.
5. No one was informed they were saved the very minute they believed.
6. Not one person was told that water baptism was not essential for the forgiveness of sins.
7. Not one person was told to be baptized so they could join a denominational church.
Jesus said he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16"16) Jesus did not say he who believes and says a sinner's prayer shall be saved.
You ARE INVITED TO READ MY BLOG POSTINGS--Steve Finnell