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

Don't let the title deceive you. Young does an excellent job at examining what other animal theologians are claiming and provides a more historical and sound approach to vegetarianism and God's view of animals. One of the best animal theology books I've read. Very down to earth and faithful to the truths and principles of Christianity. I highly recommend it.

This book is exceptionally well thought-out, clear, biblically solid, mature in its approach, and convicting. The recipes were needless fillers, but his arguments are persuasive and compelling.

I think the subjetc is very interesting, but as English is notmy mother langage, this book is difficult to read,the level is not for me.this is the only bad point to show off.

good.

Pros: Excellent discussion of concept, Intriguing read from beginning to end. Covers vegetarian issue in the most through way that I have ever seen in a book on religion and diet. Provocative titleCons: Author's personal bias and conclusion may not be a good fit for some reasons. Author's openness may not be a good fit for others. More work needed on last section.Was Adam and his companion Eve vegetarian? (Check Genesis 1:29)If so, why was Noah and his family allowed to eat meat? (Genesis 9:3)Did Jesus say that dietary laws were no applicable? (Matthew 15:11)What was going on with those vegetarians in the New Testament (Romans 14_1-4)This book covered a lot of ground for me and changed my perspective on diet and the Bible more than any other book has. Some of the questions that are shown above were some of the same ones that I struggled with as I began to seriously study the Bible. Ever since 2007, I have sought to reconcile my beliefs about faith with my beliefs about food. That journey has led me to seek a diet that is organic and as close to nature as possible. In other words, I became a Paleo.I chose this book because of the provocative title and because it offered a chance to explore "the other side" of being healthy. As a Paleo, meat is encouraged (if not worshiped) in some circles. That can lead to a one-sided diet. What about vegetarians?In this book, Richard A. Young attempts to provide readers with a case supporting that vegetarianism was and is God's preferred diet for humans (and if I read correctly) animals.That presents a problem...The Bible is replete with examples of animal sacrifice and eating meat (Jesus ate fish!).The author seeks to solve this problem by walking the reader through almost every section in the Bible covering diet (from Old Testament to New Testament). He guides readers through Jewish history and philosophy as well as early Christian writing to come to support his surprising belief that vegetarianism is the preferred physical and spiritual diet for humans. Sprinkled throughout the book are recipes that can help a reader get started on the vegan and vegetarian path. There is a small section covering how to get started, but I didn't find it as useful as just following the recipes.If you are a person of the Christian faith who has questions or issues about eating meat (or just curious about veganism/vegetarianism), this is definitely the book for you. If you are not, you might find some interesting insights on diet and Bible, but you might be turned off by the author's conclusion and personal opinion that are sprinkled rather heavily in the text. The author does a decent job of showing opposing sides, but if you aren't looking to change diet, this book isn't for you.

I must say that I was initially put off by the title of this book. I assumed from the title that this must be another one of "those" Christian arguments for vegetarianism--you know, the ones that use out of context prooftexts to argue that Jesus really was a vegetarian. However, one of my colleagues did his Ph.D. work with Richard Alan Young, and he told me that Young was not only an excellent scholar, but a person who lived his convictions. So I decided to give the book a try, in spite of the title.I am so glad I did. Young deals with the major issues and texts which arise when the question of vegetarianism is posed. Each chapter heading is a question which leads the author into a discussion of the relevant texts and historical background. He addresses questions like "Was Jesus a Vegetarian?" "Didn't God Permit Us to Eat Meat?" and "Didn't Paul Condemn Vegetarianism as Heresy?" with honesty and theological integrity. He does not try to force intepretations out of the texts, but lets them speak for themselves, offering a balanced and evenhanded treatment.Most importantly, Young offers one of the best arguments for Christian vegetarianism I've read to date. He does not resort to prooftexting or spurious arguments based on scant biblical evidence. Instead he builds the case for vegetarianism upon a much broader biblical perspective--the peaceable kingdom. In sum, Genesis 1 and 2 offer the ideal view of human existence: humans and animals are vegetarians, humans are the caregivers of God's creation, the world and all creation are at peace. Unfortunately, all that is shattered in Genesis 3. However, the biblical material looks forward to a reinstatement of that original harmony. Examining the prophets vision of the peaceable kingdom, Young concludes that the role of Christians is to do God's will on earth as it is in heaven. In other words, Jesus' vision of the kingdom of heaven is a here and now concept, not a concept that will occur only in heaven. "The peaceable kingdom encompasses the full range of human moral aspirations, depicts peaceful coexistence between humans and nonhumans, and represents the goal toward which God is guiding history" (150).Our job as Christians is to envision the peaceable kingdom and work to bring it about. Christ's act on the cross was an act of restoration, not just between humans and God, but between humans and other humans, and humans and all creation. Thus, Christians are to be actively involved in that restorative vision. If the peaceable kingdom is to be established, one fundamental step toward that outcome is refraining from eating meat. There can be no peace between animals and humans if we continue consuming animals.Additional touches set this book apart as well: each chapter concludes with a wholesome vegetarian recipe; the last chapter offers a basic discussion of how to "go vegetarian;" and Young provides a bibliography for further reading.Don't be put off by the title of the book--I found out that the publisher insisted upon it to make the book more "provocative." This book is a must read for any Christian who desires to investigate Christianity's relationship to animal rights and vegetarianism. It is well written, thoroughly researched, and easily accessible to anyone interested in the subject.

I will concede that in the beginning in the garden, man was probably a vegetarian. And at the end maybe one again. We are not in either of those times currently. The amount of malnutrition that happens in people who attempt to be vegetarians (vegans mostly) today is staggering. It is possible to be a healthy vegan, but it almost is a full time job in order to get all the nutrients needed, and a considerable amount of planning is involved. I don't think that God intended for man to spend all of his time thinking about his stomach rather than studying the bible, but the saying is that it is impossible to know the mind of God.Quite a few bible verses prescribe eating meat, from the passover lamb to the loaves and fishes. I think I'll read the bible instead of this book.

One of the better books I've read about Christianity and animal rights. The author is very objective and doesn't try to push his views.