Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
Reflections on the Lectionary, Isaiah 11:1-10
December 5, 2010
This passage includes the prophecy that someday there will be peace and
harmony in the “realm of God” and “the wolf shall lie with the lamb.” There
will be no violence, and no individual will harm another. Despite what seems
to me to be a clear message from Isaiah, I am sure that many churches will
relate Isaiah’s vision to humanity alone, even though nonhumans join
humanity in a peaceful world. We can expect many pastors to talk about love
and peace, but few will preach Isaiah’s entire message and extend this peace
to nonhuman beings. To do so would force them, and their congregations, to
face their complicity in the massive worldwide assault against animals in
the name of convenience and “lifestyle.” I have even heard that some pastors
claim that the animals Isaiah describes are not animals at all, but rather
allegorical figures that are meant to depict humans! We should always be
skeptical of biblical interpretations that neglect compassion in favor of
self-interest. Indeed, such an approach can render the Bible as racist,
sexist, and speciesist as one wants – one can simply claim that the passages
that obviously contradict one’s non-compassionate views should be treated as
allegory, and then come up with a fanciful allegory that suits one’s
purposes.
The consequence of failing to abide by the Bible’s moral imperatives is
certainly a tragedy for animals at a scale that the human mind cannot
fathom. And there are grave consequences for humanity itself. The mindset
that countenances animal abuse likewise endorses abuse of God’s earth, and
as a result we see dwindling natural resources, ecological devastation, and
rising human conflicts over land, water, and food. Humanity is in great
peril, and it results from rejecting the core teaching of virtually all
religions, including Christianity, that compassion should be our guide as we
should seek peace and harmony.
A peaceful world, Isaiah tells us, is “full of the knowledge of the Lord.” What is the knowledge of the Lord? I think it can be summarized as recognizing that, if we work together with love and compassion, we will find peace in our hearts and in our communities. All our physical and spiritual needs will be met, which is what, deep down, nearly everyone really wants. However, it takes great faith and trust in God’s goodness to choose the path of peace. Next week, I’ll reflect on what it means to be a peacemaker, which is not necessarily the same as being nonviolent.
Go on to: An Advent
Reflection on Peacemaking
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Reflection on the Lectionary, Table of Contents