Salvation of Animals (Pencils & Prayer Ropes)

Summary

Bojan's heartfelt video explores the modern Christian dilemma of whether animals have an afterlife. With personal anecdotes and theological insights, he argues for their eventual resurrection, countering common objections like their lack of a soul or being made in God's image. He emphasizes the love and joy animals bring, suggesting God's creation is not meant for destruction, aligning with the hope for a new heaven and earth where death is no more.

Takeaways

• 😢 The speaker, Bojan, has recently had to put his dog to sleep and uses this as a starting point to discuss the ultimate destiny of animals in the context of Christian beliefs.
• 🐠 Bojan admits to being bad at drawing animals and uses a pet jellyfish as an example because it's easy to draw, showing a personal and relatable touch to the video.
• 🐾 Bojan has had four pets and expresses a desire to get a Galápagos tortoise, humorously considering the tortoise's potential reaction to his death and the concept of heaven for humans.
• 🙏 He explores the question of whether animals go to heaven, stating that he is not a theologian and is emotionally charged, indicating the complexity and personal nature of the topic.
• 🕊️ Bojan refutes the argument that animals can't be saved because they aren't made in the image of God by pointing out that neither are angels, and yet they are part of the divine.
• 🌟 He emphasizes that Christ's incarnation as a man affirms the ultimate salvation of animals, as humans are custodians of nature and Christ's work extends over all creation.
• 🐦 Bojan argues against the notion that animals can't be saved because they don't have an immortal soul, likening it to a form of Gnosticism and highlighting the importance of bodily resurrection.
• 💔 The speaker addresses the emotional aspect of the debate, acknowledging that while he doesn't need animals to be happy in heaven, their presence would be a source of joy and fulfillment.
• 🎁 Bojan sees animals as a manifestation of God's love, capable of loving humans in return, and argues that their potential absence in the Kingdom of God would diminish the completeness of God's creation.
• 🤔 He acknowledges the differing views among saints and theologians, noting that the Church has not dogmatically defined the issue and that final certainty will only come after death and resurrection.
• 📖 Bojan concludes by referencing St. John the Theologian's vision of a new heaven and earth without death, suggesting that all of creation, including animals, will be part of this redeemed reality.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Bojan's video?

The main topic of Bojan's video is the ultimate destiny of animals, particularly in the context of Christian theology and the possibility of animals going to heaven.

How many pets has Bojan had according to the script?

Bojan has had four pets: Chilly Willy the hamster, Vasa the cat, Tiffany the Persian cat, and Čeda the Maltese dog.

What pet does Bojan express a desire to get next?

Bojan expresses a desire to get a Galápagos tortoise next.

Why does Bojan believe that animals might be resurrected at Christ's return?

Bojan believes that animals might be resurrected because Christ, as the custodian of all nature, extends salvation through His incarnation over the whole of material creation, including animals.

What is Bojan's view on the argument that animals cannot be saved because they don't have an immortal soul?

Bojan refutes this argument by stating that the absence of an immortal soul does not preclude the possibility of resurrection, as the body also forms our personality and can be resurrected.

How does Bojan respond to the argument that animals cannot be saved because they are not made in the image of God?

Bojan counters this by asking if angels are made in the image of God and pointing out that the Holy Spirit took the form of a dove, suggesting that God's creation, including animals, has value.

What is Bojan's opinion on the emotional aspect of discussing the afterlife of pets?

Bojan acknowledges that he is emotionally charged and biased on the topic due to the recent experience of putting his dog to sleep.

What is the purpose of the hand puppet 'Symeon the New Strawman' in the video?

The hand puppet 'Symeon the New Strawman' is used by Bojan to present and then refute the simplified arguments of those who oppose the idea of animals having an afterlife.

What does Bojan suggest about the role of humans in relation to animals in the context of Christian belief?

Bojan suggests that humans, as custodians of nature, have a responsibility towards animals, and that Christ's salvation extends to all of creation, including animals.

How does Bojan address the concern that some saints have expressed differing views on the afterlife of animals?

Bojan points out that the issue is not dogmatically defined by the Church, saints are not infallible, and there are matters upon which even saints may disagree.

What is Bojan's perspective on the modern approach to pets compared to historical practices?

Bojan notes that pets are a modern concept and that in the past, people had a more utilitarian approach to animals. He suggests that this historical detachment might explain why some saints may not have considered the salvation of animals.