Do Animals Have Souls?

[wyguy]

Let's just agree to disagree on free will choice for the mentally challenged. I do not wish to fight with a fellow Christian.

i wasn't arguing at all. there is nothing I said that violates any scripture.

but i get it. you started a topic asking: "Do animals have souls? Will our pets be with us in heaven?"

You've made up your mind on your own question and asked anyway?

I get it. You have a dog and you think it awaits for a redeemer. ok

Actually, I was on the fence when I asked the question. Reading the responses has convinced me that it is within God's character to bless us with our pets on the new earth.

What are you so bitter about? Are you angry that your opinion was rejected?

Relax, we all are still learning...

[wyguy]

wyguy, why on earth do you think a mentally challenged person does not have free will to accept or reject Christ?

If they are mentally challenged to the point where they are incapable of grasping the concept of sin, forgiveness, and redemption through Christ - let alone who and what Christ is, then they don't have a free will choice in accepting or rejecting what they don't understand. As such, I believe they are covered under God's grace and are saved. Just as a baby is.

[Guest LadyC]

wyguy, why on earth do you think a mentally challenged person does not have free will to accept or reject Christ?

If they are mentally challenged to the point where they are incapable of grasping the concept of sin, forgiveness, and redemption through Christ - let alone who and what Christ is, then they don't have a free will choice in accepting or rejecting what they don't understand. As such, I believe they are covered under God's grace and are saved. Just as a baby is.

hmmm.... i guess that's an interesting way to look at it. but see, scripture says that to be saved, one only has to believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and died and rose again. and in the event that they are unable to speak with their mouth, i'm sure that as long as they believe in their hearts, it is sufficient. scripture doesn't say they have to understand all that it means. in fact, children have very little comprehension and yet Jesus said we should all have the faith of a child! it is our own intellect that gets in our way of that most basic element of christianity. i've known many very mentally handicapped individuals.... they were quite capable of understanding the essence of right and wrong, and of Jesus.

[exrockstar]

Actually, I was on the fence when I asked the question. Reading the responses has convinced me that it is within God's character to bless us with our pets on the new earth.

What are you so bitter about? Are you angry that your opinion was rejected?

Relax, we all are still learning...

youre the one learning. youre "on the fence" and asking.

there is nothing that i read that says that animals will be resurrected.

Will there be animals in the future? sure but that does not mean they are recycled.

[wyguy]

youre the one learning. youre "on the fence" and asking.

Hmmmm, I see. It really must be nice to be all-knowing...

[wyguy]

wyguy, why on earth do you think a mentally challenged person does not have free will to accept or reject Christ?

If they are mentally challenged to the point where they are incapable of grasping the concept of sin, forgiveness, and redemption through Christ - let alone who and what Christ is, then they don't have a free will choice in accepting or rejecting what they don't understand. As such, I believe they are covered under God's grace and are saved. Just as a baby is.

hmmm.... i guess that's an interesting way to look at it. but see, scripture says that to be saved, one only has to believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and died and rose again. and in the event that they are unable to speak with their mouth, i'm sure that as long as they believe in their hearts, it is sufficient. scripture doesn't say they have to understand all that it means. in fact, children have very little comprehension and yet Jesus said we should all have the faith of a child! it is our own intellect that gets in our way of that most basic element of christianity. i've known many very mentally handicapped individuals.... they were quite capable of understanding the essence of right and wrong, and of Jesus.

And I myself have known of many who could not understand. And, of course, babies cannot. Of those, I believe, God's grace has them covered.

[exrockstar]

youre the one learning. youre "on the fence" and asking.

Hmmmm, I see. It really must be nice to be all-knowing...

in all fairness I will admit i have a dog. Love the guy and he's 10. I hurt when he's down.

Would I want him as a pet in the future? no for what? It would only be to fill a personal void.

His purpose would be to serve me for eternity?

That isn't fair and pretty selfish.

for now I have concluded that animals will not be resurrected because it isn't found in scripture.

[Guest LadyC]

yes, i believe God's grace covers babies. so yeah, i guess you may very well have a valid perspective on mentally challenged people.

[wyguy]

youre the one learning. youre "on the fence" and asking.

Hmmmm, I see. It really must be nice to be all-knowing...

in all fairness I will admit i have a dog. Love the guy and he's 10. I hurt when he's down.

Would I want him as a pet in the future? no for what? It would only be to fill a personal void.

His purpose would be to serve me for eternity?

That isn't fair and pretty selfish.

for now I have concluded that animals will not be resurrected because it isn't found in scripture.

To be fair, nobody ever mentioned them having to "serve" us through eternity. But, I do respect your opinion and thank-you for a lively conversation.

[Fez]

yes, i believe God's grace covers babies. so yeah, i guess you may very well have a valid perspective on mentally challenged people.

God's grace covers everyone