Luke 2:22-40; Does God Want Sacrifices? part 2
Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org
FROM
Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
Luke 2:22-40; Does God Want Sacrifices? part 2
This is the second essay in a series exploring the question of why the
Bible often describes animal sacrifices as activities with which God
evidently approves. Last week, I suggested that animal sacrifices were a
necessary step toward a world free of sacrificial violence. This week, I
will consider the theory, held by many Christians today, that God approved
of sacrifices but they are no longer necessary.
The biblical witness reflects a wide range of accounts, and I think people
can select passages to support virtually any position on any ethical issue.
Indeed, there are many passages in which God seems to insist on animal
sacrifices. Further, many passages describe Jesus’ death as a sacrifice,
though Christians differ on the purpose of this sacrifice. Many hold that
the animal sacrifices of the Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus’ sacrificial death
were meant to atone for sin by “balance the scales” of justice.
I find this theory problematic. It violates my fundamental sense of justice
that innocent beings – whether non-human animals or Jesus – would be killed
to atone for someone else’s sin. Indeed, I would not want to worship a God
who demanded such injustice. I might choose to worship such a God out of
fear of that God’s wrath, but I would not do so out of respect.
Some argue that sacrifices, particularly Jesus’ sacrifice, were necessary to
atone not for specific sins but rather for innate human sinfulness. I will
consider that theory next week. Then, I will offer a different theory for
Jesus’ sacrifice which, perhaps, will lend insight into the reasons for
animal sacrifices in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Go on to: Does God Want
Sacrifices? part 3: Substitutionary Atonement Theory
Return to:
Reflection on the Lectionary, Table of Contents
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