Resources by Topic: Animals

The bottom line is we don’t know how that will all work out, but we do know that God is good, and that we can trust Him.

Randy, I understand that you and I have the same affection for animals under our care as I’ve read an article you wrote concerning animals in Heaven. Is spaying and neutering our pets allowed by our faith? Personally, I don’t like the idea as it seems to control and alter what God has designed/created.

I am listening to Heaven on audio. While listening to the chapter on animals, I started to think about my strong distaste for snakes. I often use the word "hate" when talking about them. 

It's important to remember there is a big distinction between animals and people, even when it comes to euthanasia. Human beings are uniquely made in God’s image and although animals are a beloved creation, they are not.

"I believe that by caring for animals we are also caring for humans. We are providing them with God’s gift of emotional support and friendship through taking care of their pets. Do you think God approves of careers in veterinary medicine?"

In February Nanci and I had to say goodbye to our beloved Golden Retriever Maggie, who had been diagnosed with cancer only six weeks earlier. I have tried to write this blog multiple times, but each time I’ve stopped. It will be long, even though I cut out a lot. I have too much to say.

As to whether God can resurrect a body, whether human or animal, that’s been cremated, that’s no problem whatsoever! As far as pets, that’s a personal decision. We did choose to cremate our pets who have died.

Here are a couple of photos of Maggie as an eight-year-old (equivalent to about 60 human years, so she’s catching up with us). We love her more than ever, even as she’s slowing down a bit (but she can still dig and chase rabbits with the best of them). 

Over the years, I’ve been asked by readers about whether God’s future restoration of creation means that “undesirable” and “unpleasant” animals like rodents (such as rats) and insects (such as mosquitoes or spiders) will be present in Heaven. As one reader candidly wrote, “That sure wouldn’t be Heaven for me!”

In 2019, Randy Alcorn was interviewed on the topic of Heaven by the Senior Pastor at Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. In this clip, he discusses what the Bible says about animals in heaven. 

In 2019, Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Pastor Jim Putman at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho. In this clip, he gives his thought about our pets, who have passed and if they will be in Heaven.   

The key is this: when the animal is suffering and you can sense they no longer are hanging on to life, you don’t want to let it go any longer. 

Animals aren’t humans, but they have personalities and display love and affection, and God creates a great bond between us and them. I believe this love of animals is God-given, part of the way He wired us as stewards of His creation.

The food chain may seem natural to us, but I believe it violates God’s original design. No more curse and death means no more food chain involving living creatures. As radical a shift as that may seem, it will likely be a return to God’s original design.