Is God a Vegetarian?: Christianity, Vegetarianism, and Animal Rights

Is God a Vegetarian? is one of the most complete explorations of vegetarianism in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Young, a linguistics and New Testament scholar, attempts to answer the question being asked with greater and greater frequency: Are Christians morally obligated to be vegetarians?
Many people are confused about the apparent mixed messages within the Bible. On the one hand, God prescribes a vegetarian diet in the Garden of Eden and the apocalyptic visions of Isaiah and John imply the restoration of a vegetarian diet. However, it is also clear that God permits, Jesus partakes in, and Paul sanctions the eating of flesh. Does the Bible give any clear guidance?

Close readings of key biblical texts pertaining to dietary customs, vegetarianism, and animal rights make up the substance of the book. Rather than ignoring or offering a literal, twentieth-century interpretation of the passages, the author analyzes the voices of these conflicting dietary motifs within their own social contexts. Interwoven throughout these readings are discussions of contemporary issues, such as animal testing and experimentation, the fur industry, raising animals in factories, and the effects of meat-eating on human health.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Open Court
Published: 12/30/1998
ISBN: 9780812693935
Pages: 187
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 9.04h x 6.20w x 0.55d

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 08/17/1998 pg. 64
Library Journal 09/15/1998 pg. 84