Vegangelical: How Caring For Animals Can Shape Your Faith is a rare book. Evangelicals may be known for their social concerns, but care for animals doesn't usual make a blip on our radar. But this book is rare for another reason. Sarah Withrow King has written a book that is warm, accessible and challenging and theologically robust. She is an animal rights activist who has worked for PETA and is now the deputy director of the Sider Center of Eastern University and the codirector of Creature Kind. She has a masters of theological studies from Palmer Theological Seminary. In Vegangelical she weds social concern with astute theological analysis.

240_360_book-1935-coverPart one of King's books explores the theological foundations for veganism and animal care. Rather than start with the dismal reality of how animals are treated in our culture (and trust me she gets there) she begins with an exploration of what it means to be made in the image of the Triune God (chapter 1), the biblical concept of dominion and stewardship (chapter two), and the biblical injunction to love the other (chapter three). In part two, King explores our relationship with animals in the home and wild, our use of them in research and for food and clothing.

King builds her case for animal care in our being made in the image of the Triune God. This means she explores what kind of God the Trinity is and the implications of what it means for human persons to be like this God. This involves an examination of history of sacrifice in worship of this God, as well as trajectory of the Cross. "How can God—whose nature is to be in relationship and who desires that the work of his hands be restored—insist that humans kill animals as a condition to their approach, when the act of killing is the ultimate severance of relationship between victim and killer, between killer and the killer's self (for surely everytime we take a life we turn further inward)?" (47). She argues that the sacrificial system in the Old Testament was a visceral reminder of the broken relationship between God and Creation caused by human sinfulness. However, "Jesus' sacrifice restored the break and bridged the deep divide that sin created, so we no longer need to feel the blood on our hands, we no longer need to break a neck, we no longer need to be the cause of fear and suffering in our approach to God" (48).

King's look at the concept of dominion and stewardship includes what it meant for God's people to 'fill the land and subdue it' in the Old Testament. While the language of dominion and subduing implies domination and control to modern ears, King advises that we view human dominion in light of both what it means to be created in God's image and God's intent for creation (61). When we do this, we are drawn to protect, cultivate the earth in order to ensure the flourishing of all life. King concludes her theological case for animal care bu insisting that we think of it in terms of care for the other. Quoting Volf, "God's reception of hostile humanity into divine communion is a model of how human beings should relate to the other" (72), King argues that the implications of this challenge extend to our care for the animal Kingdom as well.

The second half of this book explores the ways humans use (and abuse) our animal neighbors. This includes cruelty to pets, a billion-dollar-breeding industry which results in the commodification and objectification of animal lives, circuses, animals, hunting, animal vivisection and experimentation, and the inhumane treatment and environmental impact of using animals for our food and clothing. King shares her own story of moving towards veganism and animal activism and how she has learned to navigate these issues as a person of faith.
For the past several Lenten seasons I have done a meatless (or near meatless) Lent. I have done so while also exploring some of the issues that surround our industrial agricultural complex, the treatment of animals and consumerism. As a result our family has reduced our intake of meat, though there are ebbs and flows in our practice. I like a good burger and meat is the centerpiece of family feasts. As I read through Veganelical I am convinced that people like King who take a courageous, counter-cultural stance against the comodifaction and abuse of animals occupy the moral high ground. I know some of the issues but don't live up to my ideals. I feel the prophetic challenge to live more consistently by King's book. I am not totally where she is at, but I think she is right to raise the issue and root her concerns biblically and theologically. I am a sympathetic reader even if I read parts of this book while eating a fast food taco. I give this four-and-a-half stars.

Note: I received this book from Book-Look Bloggers and Zondervan in exchange for my honest review. ( )

This book was a quick read for me. Too quick. So, I sat back and slowed down. And instead of devouring it, as I did the first time, I really read it. I tested it against the Scripture, and I was amazed.

As a Christian, I have thought many of the same thoughts the writer expressed in this book. But I never took the time to really soul search how I personally feel about the subject.

And that subject is Is it okay for a Christian to eat meat? Aren't the animals we consume also a part of God's great overall creation? Or is it wrong?

The author, Sarah Withrow King, takes us through her personal look at Scriptures and at what they have come to mean to her. She doesn't say it's a sin to eat meat, or animal by products. But she tells us how she interprets many of the Scriptures to mean that we should be good caretakers of all creatures.

The author takes you on a journey of introspect, never telling you that you must think as she does, but instead gives you the facts, offers you Scripture, and allows you to make up your own minds regarding this matter.

It did allow me to look at eating meat and consuming or using animal by products through the eyes of one who has chosen to follow Scripture as I feel God has set in my heart to do so. Not following a "religion", but my heart. My spirit. Allowing God to speak to me as I read.

This book has made a profound change in my life. A very profound change. It has lead me to a different path. One that will not be easy for me to take, but one I am compelled to follow. That of veganism.

I don't believe I will ever be the same again.

I give this book Five Stars.

A big Thumbs Up.

I won't tell you that I recommend this book. But I will say this: if you have had any questions in your mind regarding Christianity and veganism, then this is the book you will want to partner with your Bible to get to some soul searching. To get to your own answers.

I feel inept at writing this review, that's how life changing it has been for me.

And if you read it, and don't think veganism is for you, I hope you will at least be more aware of where your meat, and animal by products, including dairy, leather products and cosmetics, even pharmaceuticals, come from. How the treatment of animals has laid wide open a gap of cruelty and inhumane treatment to how well you enjoy the products you use. The alternatives are easily affordable and available.

Let us all become good stewards of those creatures, great and small, who share this planet with us.

You can purchase this book on Amazon.com here. It is available in a Kindle edition for $9.99 and a paperback edition for $10.92. ( )