My Minister Said That Animals Do Not Have Souls

By: Gary Kurz

"Why Brother Gary, what seems to be the matter", my pastor's wife asked as I made my way to my usual pewon Sunday morning. I didn't respond immediately, because I just didn't feel like talking. My beloved dog of 16 years had passed away the day before and my mind could focus on little else but the terrible void and sense of loss I was feeling. I probably shouldn't have been out in public so soon, but I thought support from those of like faith might help ease the pain I was feeling.

Before I could respond, she added, "You are always such a happy personand today you look so glum." As I sought for something to say I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I knew that I had to squeeze an answer out quickly or risk blubbering incoherently as my emotions took over. So I quickly blurted out "My dog died yesterday."

Sure that she heard the quivering in my voice and saw the tears beginning to flow I waited for the compassionate words that I knew only a pastor's wife could find. To my horror, instead of offering sympathy and compassion, she sarcastically said "Oh, and I bet you think your dog went to doggy heaven don't you?"

I didn't know what to say or do. Who would have thought that a person in her position would respond so coldly in someone’s time of need? Instead of standing their dumbfounded however, I resorted to the tactic most people employ when they find themselves in an awkward or uncomfortable situation; I half-heartedly chuckled at her comments and then walked off.

I didn't want to chuckle; it was an involuntary response. There was nothing humorous about her comments. I wanted to lash out and admonish her for her callousness; but I didn't. I couldn’t. I didn't have it in me. It just was not that important at the moment. I was not emotionally able to handle a confrontation. I just wanted to be left alone, and so I chuckled and walked away.

Outwardly I erased any sign of hurt or anger toward her, but inwardly I was mortified and very upset. When I sought consoling for one of the most traumatic experiences of my life, she instead heaped more grief and pain upon me. Her undeserved cruelty to me was bad enough, but the sentiment she ignorantly implied, that animals are not eternal creatures, was even more disturbing.

Woefully, I found that her position was not unique, but common among those in ministry. Since that infamous experience long ago, as the author of many pet bereavement books, I have received hundreds of letters and e-mails from exasperated church-goers who have suffered similarly at the hands of their ministers and their spouses. Sometimes there experience was from direct dialogue about a specific pet as in my situation; but more often it was from hurtful comments made from the pulpit that suggested animals were not important and did not have souls.

Overwhelmingly, I have discovered that many mainstream denominations hold to this opinion. They maintain that animals are temporal creatures without souls. Most cannot explain why they embrace this false premise. Infrequently, someone will offer that the Bible says that God breathed life into Adam, but does not say that he did this for animals. Hence, in their mind man has the Spirit of God in him and animals do not.

I find this position to be theologically sophomoric and wholly unsupportable from the scriptures. Following this flawed reasoning, no one but Adam would have the Spirit of God in them, because God only breathed into him. All other people would be lost. He did not breathe into Eve. He did not breathe into the descendents of Adam

It is a preposterous presumption, because it lacks any foundational support in scripture. Nevertheless, it seems to be the only answer that some spiritual leaderscan offer, and while that means it is not a wide-spread notion, I still wanted to know why some held this position. After interviewing several dozen of my fellow ministers, I have concluded that invariably, the reason they hold this view is because it was simply what their seminary professor taught them.

Their professor offered not scriptural support; no documentation whatsoever. There was no independent research performed. In fact, it appears there was never any substantial research done at all, by anyone. No counter view was ever offered or considered. The error was just passed down from Seminary Professor to students for as long as anyone can remember.

In all likelihood, someone long ago simply voiced their personal opinion and it was accepted as the truth, when in fact it was not. It was then passed along without much discernment or thought at all, until it became the official position at many seminaries. This is the way most erroneous views are passed down; the way most cults arrive at their false doctrinal positions.

But there is a counter view. And it is neither supposition nor opinion. That animals have souls is an unimpeachable teaching in scripture. I address this topic in great detail in my first book in this genre, “Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates,” which I think you will find a very theologically mature and accurate work. In it I cover more than 200 pertinent passages of scripture that speak to the providence of God over his animals. I do not want to cover here all that is contained in that title, but I will briefly visit the topicso you are equipped to educate others on what scripture says, should the need arise.

First of all, let us consider the word "soul." This word is used in over 20 different ways in scripture. Different meanings are emphasized by using different Greek or Hebrew words. One of those words is the Hebrew word “nephesh.” This word translates to mean "essence" or "lifeforce.”

Nephesh is used to describe the soul of animals in several places in scripture. It is also used to describe the soul or essence of man. The conclusion we must draw is that both humans and animals have souls. Or to be more precise, both humans and animals ARE souls. I will address that in more detail in a moment.

One verse that uses this word is found in perhaps the oldest book of the Bible, the Book of Job. In verse 10 of chapter 12 we are told "In whose hand is the soul of every living thing". This is a very profound passage. Because the word “nephesh” is used, the initial, face-value perception is that God is not just speaking exclusively about humans, but animals as well.

Sometimes, face value interpretations are not always accurate and one should not be in haste to declare their understanding. They should study the verse out to ensure accuracy in their understanding. In this case however, the considered, in-depth study of the verse supports the initial perception. He is indeed speaking of all creatures, human and animal.

Had God said “In whose hand is the soul of every living person,” it would have been an exclusive declaration that we could not deny; but he did not. He said “…every living thing.” Words mean things and God is the best word smith I know. He says what he means and means what he says. To read anything more or less than what he means into his words is nothing short of folly.

Again, the word "soul" is used in over twenty different ways in the Bible. Invariably, regardless of what Greek or Hebrew word is used, when people come across the word “soul” in scripture, they automatically associate it with redemption. No matter what context it appears, no matter what the meaning, the connection to reconciliation and salvation is always present in their minds and unconsciously applied to the interpretation.

In some cases, this is right and acceptable to the rules of exegesis, but there are times when it is not. This verse in Job is not addressing either reconciliation or salvation. And that makes sense of course, because clearly, the gospel message is not for animals. I have never tried to make that case, because there is no case to be made. The gospel is exclusively for people. The good news of the Savior is a reconciliatory outreach from a Holy God to sinful people.

So then, Job 12:10 is not speaking of salvation. The word is not used in relation to redemption, but rather addresses providential care. A clearer meaning of this verse would be "In whose hand is the life or essence of every living thing." God is speaking of that part of humans and animals that contains or houses the "life" he has given to them, that part that departs the body when the body expires.

Revelation 16:3 can be singled out to show that animals have this essence. It says “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.”

Here the Bible says "…every living soul", using the Greek word "psuche", a close relative to "nephesh". The passage speaks of every living soul in the sea dying. People do not live in the oceans. They live on and around them, but not in them. So unless we believe in mermaids, the passage can only be referring to animals. And the verse assigns them an immortal soul.

When we mesh these thoughts in Job and Revelation with Romans chapter 8 and Revelation 5:9-13, to name a few corresponding passages, the meaning is clear. The life or essence of every living thing is in the eternal care of the one who created that life.

However, this word in Job indicates an even deeper thought for us to consider. As I mentioned above, we often refer to man (or woman) as a flesh and blood body with a soul. This is not so. In keeping with the absolute intent of this word as used in this passage, this is our essence, that we are souls, not bodies. In other words, we are not bodies with souls; we are souls with bodies. The distinction is subtle, but it is huge in effect. The body is temporal, but the soul eternal.

This truth applies to animals as well. They are not creatures with souls, but are eternal souls given temporary bodies. The same word is used to describe their essence as it is ours. So when we refer to their soul, we are merely acknowledging that animals have essence and that this essence is eternal in nature.

They are innocent creatures whose souls are safe in the hand of their creator. Not only is the gospel message not for them, but there is no need for that message as they are sinless, innocent creatures, “safe’ in their creator’s care.

Moreover, God is the one who gave animals their life or essence, whether he breathed into them or not. Adam couldn't do it. Adam had as much power to give life as you and I have; which is none. Life comes from God. If animals are living, and they are, then it was God who breathed that life into them.

The whole idea that animals do not have souls is erroneous. There is no Biblical support for such a position. Indeed, there is overwhelming evidence that proves that they do have souls and are eternal creatures. This is not a conclusion that is hard to arrive at. A simple, elementary study of pertinent scripture is all that is required. It is egregious that those who need to have answers ready for those who trust them in spiritual matters, do not make the effort to know these things.

Scriptural support that animals have souls aside, even though it is overwhelmingly convincing; it bothers me when ministers insist that animals are just mindless, soulless creatures meant for this present world only. When pressed to ask what happens to them, they will say something heartless like “They just cease to exist” or “They are just gone and forgotten.”

They condemn to annihilation without hesitation these wonderful personalities that God made to be our companions from the beginning of the world. But they will readily allow that other, undeserving creatures will not be destroyed. They will be the first to tell you that the wicked Satan and his horde of evil demons will not be utterly destroyed, but placed in hell. Though in everlasting torment, they will still live.

How is it they can acknowledge this mercy for the evil one, but flippantly disallow the same mercy for the noble creatures that have walked along with us on this earth and served and loved us?

Their hang-up is misunderstanding what a soul is and how some souls are innocent and not in need of redemption. So what is the soul comprised of anyway? Simply, it is the presence of the following:

  • Consciousness
  • Cognitive abilities
  • Emotions
  • Memory
  • Personality

Animals meet all the criteria. They are souls. God gave them all the characteristics that make them so.

Many ministers need to revisit their ideas about animals and eternity. Trusting what they heard from their Seminary Professor or a previous pastor is not acceptable. The onus is upon them to know the facts for their flock. Their calling is one that puts them in a position of trust. They are in ministry to serve and help when members of the flock have need.

Losing a beloved pet is indeed a time of great need. It is not a place where a minister wants to fail or trust their responsibility to the ideas of others. It is a lazy and dangerous practice to disregard the Bible's instructions for those who minister"...to search out whether these things are true".

Ministers take on an obligation to have sound answers for their congregants, in particular when it comes to matters of the heart. People go to church to "know" what God says, not what a Seminary Professor thinks. A minister must know, not hazard a guess.