Christian Theology and the Status of Animals

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 1-7

3. Thomas Aquinas and the Dominant Tradition

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 8-20

4. The Dominant Tradition and the Magisterium

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 21-40

5. Theology and the Reconfiguration of Difference

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 41-59

6. In Via toward an Animal-Inclusive Eschaton

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 60-76

7. Breaking with Anthropocentrism: Genesis 1

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 77-95

8. Breaking with Conservationism: Isaiah 11:1–9

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 96-113

9. The Sacramentality of the Cosmos

   • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

   Pages 114-131

10. Alternative Traditions and Interreligious Dialogue

    • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

    Pages 132-152

11. Conclusion

    • Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

    Pages 153-154

12. Back Matter

    Pages 155-202

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The author argues that there are conflicting traditions with regard to the question of what is the moral standing of animals according to Christianity. The dominant tradition maintains that animals are primarily resources but there are alternative strands of Christian thought that challenge this view.

• Christian theology
• Christianity
• Figuration
• Moral
• morality
• theology

• Department of Theology, Duquesne University, USA

  Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

Ryan Patrick McLaughlin teaches at Duquesne University, USA. He has authored articles on animal theology, comparative religious ethics, and biblical foundations for religious inclusivism. He was awarded the McAnulty Dissertation Fellowship Award (2012-13).

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