‘And When He Saw Him, He Had Compassion’: Following Jesus and Relationship to Non-Human Creatures
‘And When He Saw Him, He Had Compassion’: Following Jesus and Relationship to Non-Human Creatures
Author(s): Jan ZámečníkSubject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Philosophy, Social Sciences, Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Theology and Religion
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Nakladatelství Karolinum
Keywords: Following Jesus; Non-human creatures; Environmental ethics; Compassion; Parable of the good Samaritan
Summary/Abstract: This article explores how the concept of following Jesus can be ethically applied in the sphere of the treatment of non-human creatures. It shows three possibilities of grasping the theme: accommodating Jesus to a preconceived idea, using the sayings and actions of Jesus that involve animals, and adhering to a characteristic feature of his approach. The article points out the problematic character of the first two options and highlights the third – it proposes that the relationship to non-human creatures should be based on the criterion of compassion accompanied by care for the suffering.
Journal: Acta Universitatis Carolinae Theologica
- Issue Year: 13/2023
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 21-41
- Page Count: 21
- Language: English