The Revd Jennie Högberg, who ministers in Frustuna, Sweden, recalls how her perception of Lent changed over time and why she felt called to explore Christian perceptions of animals during these 40 days.
Vegan
The Revd Dr Jan Goodair reflects upon her journey of animal advocacy, embracing of veganism and the pro-animal messages found within Christian scripture and tradition.
The Revd Jeania Ree V. Moore considers the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic, her journey towards veganism and the spiritual benefits of Lenten fasts.
Nicky Pybus reflects upon our natural inclinations to avoid harming animals and encourages Christians to radically reduce this harm by beginning their vegan journey this Lent.
The Revd Mia Smith reflects upon God’s purposes for all creatures and how, this Lent, Christians might anticipate and gesture towards the liberation of creation by carefully considering their food choices.
The Revd Christopher Golding reflects on preparing for Easter, discerning God’s direction and his hopes for this year’s Lenten journey.
The Revd John Ryder reflects upon his lifelong love of animals, biblical understanding of God’s purposes for the world and commitment to a vegan diet.
The Revd Janey Hiller, an ordained Anglican minister, recounts her journey towards veganism and how studying Christian perspectives on animals at theological college proved to be a life changing experience.
If hot dogs were made of dogs, would you still eat one? If you’d asked me that question seven years ago (when I still ate meat), I would’ve answered with a firm (though puzzled) ‘no’. My previous answer fascinates me now because it highlights that our beliefs about what is (and is not) acceptable to eat typically derive from our cultural inheritance, rather than any Biblically informed ethic. After all, if, as we Christians might initially be tempted to think, it is okay to eat lambs and pigs because humans were given dominion over God’s creation (Genesis 1:26-28), then it will also be okay to eat cats and dogs, for nothing in Genesis (nor any other book in the Bible) suggests that lambs and pigs are for eating while cats and dogs are for cuddling. Yet most of us find the idea of eating cats and dogs horrific.