Description
Among the many pressing social concerns that have galvanized evangelical Christians’ response—abortion, human trafficking, environmental degradation, and many others—the care of animals has received relatively little attention.
Yet as author Sarah Withrow King deftly uncovers in Vegangelical, animal stewardship is a necessary aspect of a holistic ethic of Christian peace and justice. Indeed, care for animal welfare correspondingly strengthens our care for environmental and human flourishing.
Practical, restrained in its conclusions, and grounded on a broader theology of Christian compassion, Vegangelical calls readers to a greater attentiveness to one of the primary relationships in God’s created order, that between humans and animals.
About the Author
Sarah Withrow King is director of Christian outreach and engagement at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Formerly the deputy director at Evangelicals for Social Action, Sarah earned an M.A. from Palmer Theological Seminary and is currently an associate fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics.
Endorsements
I love animals. I also love eating them. This book isn’t a self-righteous rant. It’s a provocative, funny, spiritual manifesto about how precious life is. It’s easy to forget that God’s original plan was to hang out with a couple of naked vegetarians in a garden. Our McDonalds-and-Chipotle-loving fast-food world has come a long way from the ole Garden of Eden. Sarah’s book is an invitation to step back and consider how God really intended for us to relate to all these wonderful creatures. -- Shane Claiborne, Activist, animal-lover, backsliding vegetarian, and author of Executing Grace
Sarah King’s book about how to love Jesus and love animals was overwhelming. Overwhelmingly fun – with her quick wit and accessible writing style. Overwhelmingly challenging – in that she suggests some ideas I honestly don’t know how to integrate into my own evangelical practice and spiritual life. And overwhelmingly good – she asks critical questions the 21st century evangelical church has yet to wrestle with and entertain. May Vegangelical be a guide for us who choose to follow Jesus and seek to honor and love His creation and the human-animal relationships that are a part of it. -- Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, author of Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World
An articulate, sincere introduction to Bible-based social and environmental justice, opening the conversation to how God forms us through our interactions with the created world. A must-read for protectors of all creatures, great and small. -- Nancy Sleeth, co-founder of Blessed Earth
Sarah Withrow King in this factual, biblically sound, and theologically profound book makes a strong case for the spiritual connectedness between animals and humans. She then challenges us to change our lifestyles so that we do not harm the animals around us in ways that break the heart of God. -- Tony Campolo, Professor Emeritus, Eastern University
A significant introduction to the important but too-long neglected topic of a solidly Christian approach to the (mis)treatment of animals. One need not agree with every argument to realize this book presents an urgent challenge that biblical Christians dare no longer ignore. King’s chilling stories, extensive statistics, and probing biblical arguments offer a great place to begin. -- Ronald J. Sider, Senior Distinguished Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry, and Public Policy, Palmer Seminary at Eastern University