Scratching The Ears Of Divinity

I am close to finishing reading the book “The Case For a Creator”, and found chapter 10 of the book to be quite fascinating as the author Lee Strobel interviews American Philosopher J.P. Moreland.  I like a lot of what Moreland has to say about separating the mind and soul from the brain. There was one thing though that I have to take exception to. Moreland was asked by Strobel if animals had souls? Moreland’s answer didn’t surprise me when he said yes. He even answered with and emphatic “ABSOLUTELY!” but then offers a follow up statement that I admit left a little baffled.

J.P. Moreland

Moreland states:
“ You see the human soul is more complicated because it is made in the image of God. So we have  self-reflection and self-thinking. And while the human soul survives the death of its body, I don’t think the animal soul outlives its body. I could be wrong but I think the animal soul ceases to exist at death."

Most pet lovers feel certain of the fact that an animal’s soul is ongoing even if no tangible proof exists. They would contend that their pets are as immortal as they are. The love an animal shares is special. It is an unconditional love that man could certainly learn from. From my perspective of faith, I don’t think any expression of love will ever die. So I whole heartedly disagree with Dr. Moreland.

The comment says more than just claiming pets souls die. It indicates that it is hard for humans, as educated as we might be, to see God in any other form. The image painted by Michael Angelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel titled “The Creation Of Man” is an image that is emblazoned on our collective consciousness as “HUMAN” beings. God is that old man with a long white beard, who lives in the sky, RIGHT?  It leads me to conclude that not only has art served to celebrate and glorify God but it has served as the vehicle to cement the images of God in our minds and makes it hard for us to imagine God any other way. Paintings of a humanistic God coupled with the creation stories in Genesis have defined our image of God for centuries.

The Creation Of Adam

Well here is a fun exercise….. Imagine the image of God in the painting touching Adam's finger, being an eagle, or a horse. Maybe you might choose a mythical creature like a Unicorn, a Minotaur or a Jack-a-lope.  How does that make you feel? Do you feel less than, more than or do you feel as I do a connection with all things? 

To say that this is a far fetched idea, one not need to look beyond scripture to find validity in the different ways God (or Spirit) is expressed. 

From Matthew 3:16-17

16. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God decending as a dove and lighting on Him. 17. And behold the voice out of the heavens said, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Dove Descending

Not limited to animals here is this passage about the Burning Bush

from Exodus 3: 4-5

4. When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses! And Moses said, “Here I am”
5. "Do not come any closer " God said. "Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
6. Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses his his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 

Moses and the burning bush

Today I invite you to see God in everything. Take time to appreciate God in every living creature and thing. Expand your awareness of God by scratching behind your loving pets ears or by holding them close and making kissy faces. 

Me and Molly