Animals in Sacred Narratives
A Donkey, a Snake, and Christian Saints
Introduction
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
Building on our first chapter (Teachings), this chapter explores sacred narratives that include animals, enriching our understanding of how we are to live faithfully with God’s creatures.
In Numbers 22, God speaks through a faithful but misused donkey; in Genesis 3, humankind and a snake have a conversation in the Garden of Eden; finally, the saints show us how they lived faithfully with God’s many creatures.
Across centuries and cultures, in churches and Bible studies, around tables and campfires, sacred animal narratives have captivated the young, brought fresh insights to church pews, and encouraged all of God’s children to approach the Bible—and all of creation—with awe and wonder.
This chapter offers an invitation to explore, with fresh eyes, what sacred narratives teach about animals, humankind, and God.
Matthew 4:4
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Animals in the Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript of the four Gospels, which record the life of Christ. (Detail from the Book of Kells, Ireland, 800 CE, www.openculture.com)
Explore the Topics
The Donkey Speaking through a mistreated donkey, what does God say about abuse and injustice?
Eden’s Snake What do conventional interpretations of the snake in Genesis 3 overlook in Scriptures?
Saints What can saints teach Christians about living faithfully with God’s creatures?
Common Questions
-
Animal narratives in sacred texts teach Christians about God, animals, and about our responsibilities to God through animals. The Bible shows a donkey and a snake as individuals much like humankind, with personalities, fears, hopes, intention, wisdom, knowledge, and sensitivities. The story of the donkey and Balaam shows Christians that a donkey is able to see clearly and respond faithfully despite very real secular pressures pushing her to do otherwise. She also shows us that animals have a personal relationship with God, who is aware of their needs and who notices human abuse. The story of the snake in Genesis 3 reminds Christians how God intended all of us to live—as a single, neighborly community in a peaceful creation. Sacred writings recording the lives of Christian saints show us how holy people live with animals—responsibly and in kinship. Saints lived with foxes, donkeys, hares, deer, lions, and many other creatures, showing us that kinship, mercy, and kindness ought to shape Christian interactions with animals.
-
Traditionally, the snake of Genesis 3 is viewed in this way, but the Bible does not say that the snake is evil. Humankind tends to fear snakes; as a result, many people dislike snakes, which shapes our view of the snake of Genesis 3. Leaving this bias aside, there is much more to this story, and a close read shines a fresh light on this narrative. In this account, the snake and humankind interact as friends and neighbors, and the first humans clearly recognize the snake to be knowledgeable. This narrative never labels the snake as evil, but it recalls the original friendliness between animals and humankind in the Garden of Eden—kinship in the perfect world created by God. The Bible teaches Christians to serve God, to be part of turning this world back to a Peaceable Kingdom where humankind and animals live without bloodshed.
-
Sacred animal narratives support core Biblical ethics, teaching respect for God through kindness and care for creation. These sacred narratives invite us to see animals as God intended, as fellow creatures who deserve not only our kindness, but our respect. Animal narratives show us that God cares about and for animals, and that respect for the Creator invites Christians to respect all that God has made. Jesus exemplifies core Christian ethics, showing us how to live in love, through good works, to be kind and give special attention to those who have been overlooked by others. Accounts of the saints show Christians how to obey—how to respect God in creation by living peacefully, in community, with tender attention to all of God’s creatures.
Job 12:7–8
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
The Bible gives voice to animals, revealing animals as individuals, enhancing our understanding of God, and helping us to understand how to live faithfully with God’s creatures.
The donkey in Numbers 22 is sensitive, intelligent, and faithful—much more faithful than her rider, who mistreats her. God speaks through the donkey, teaching Christians that we are to respect and show kindness to God’s creatures.
The narrative of Genesis 3 shows a snake, who is very intelligent, and humankind pausing to talk in the Garden of Eden, reminding Christians that God intended all creatures (including human beings) to live as one community, to share company in peace and kinship.
Hagiographies also include animals, offering many accounts of exemplary Christians living in community with animals. Some of God’s creatures lean toward God naturally, these accounts recall, while others struggle with discipleship—not unlike humankind.
Both the Bible and hagiographies present animals as individuals with volition, sensitivity, initiative, and intelligence, and as rightly part of a shared spiritual journey here on Earth.
Sacred animal narratives support core Christian teachings and enhance our understanding of animals, of God’s relationship with animals, and of our duty to show respect, mercy, kindness, and care to all of God’s creatures.
Psalm 104:24-31
O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures….These all look to you
to give them their food in due season;
when you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works….
Animals as Moral & Spiritual Beings
St Anthony with animals, including a pig that he cured who became his constant companion. (Allcreatures.org)
Saint Anthony the Great of Egypt (“The Father of Monks”) with the pig whom he healed, who became his constant companion. (“Saint Anthony the Great,” Louis-Victor Gesta, France, 19th century, Wikimedia Commons)