Blessing of the animals worship service

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Oh my word! The ridiculousness of this is astounding. Just because God created it does not mean we should include it in our worship services. The things liberals turn our churches into. Amazing.

Who's churches? Let me ask you Rev., do you start labeling a person as soon as they walk through the door?

Now what if I was raised up in a church that did do this Animal Blessings thing & it was a common practice for me to take my dog to the service & I told you this.....would you immediately label me a Liberal? How bout if I told you I liked to play golf, would I be labeled a yuppy? How bout if I told you I believe in the Doctrines of Grace--Calvinist? Or that I drive a Ford Truck with a Gun Rack & I have a collection of firearms....am I a redneck? I am pointing this out because ...... wont go further with it. This is not a slant but an observation.

These characteristics are all me however I am not a liberal, I am not a yuppy, I am not a redneck, I am not a Calvinist. I am just a sinner who has been saved by God's grace & I'm trying to be a better man. We should try to look for those characteristics in the brethren & the sisteren.

 

[Revmitchell]

Who's churches? Let me ask you Rev., do you start labeling a person as soon as they walk through the door?

Now what if I was raised up in a church that did do this Animal Blessings thing & it was a common practice for me to take my dog to the service & I told you this.....would you immediately label me a Liberal? How bout if I told you I liked to play golf, would I be labeled a yuppy? How bout if I told you I believe in the Doctrines of Grace--Calvinist? Or that I drive a Ford Truck with a Gun Rack & I have a collection of firearms....am I a redneck? I am pointing this out because ...... wont go further with it. This is not a slant but an observation.

These characteristics are all me however I am not a liberal, I am not a yuppy, I am not a redneck, I am not a Calvinist. I am just a sinner who has been saved by God's grace & I'm trying to be a better man. We should try to look for those characteristics in the brethren & the sisteren.

Trying to be a better man is not the standard for what goes on in the church.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Trying to be a better man is not the standard for what goes on in the church.

Thats correct & I didnt say it was--but who sets the standard?

 

[Revmitchell]

Thats correct & I didnt say it was--but who sets the standard?

You certainly implied it since that was your defense for blessing animals in a church service.

 

[annsni]

just some food for thought

"I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you-the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you-every living creature on earth." (Genesis 9:9-10)

What is that covenant? It was to never flood the earth again. It wasn't a blessing, it was a promise.

or

"In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety." (Hosea 2:18)

In my reading of the passage, I see this the covenant (promise) is that the animals will lay down in safety. Again, not a blessing but a promise.



I don't know seems like blessing animals are appropriate. After all God does.[/QUOTE]

or

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:6-9)

I do not see any blessing given here. I see facts of what will be but not a blessing. Remember they are different terms, with different meanings. What God promises to the animals in this passage is not what is done at a "blessing of the animals".

I do not see in Scripture anywhere where animals are brought to a man to be blessed for a specific blessing for the animal. I just did a search on the blessing of the animals and honestly, I'd never want to be identified with this practice.

From one site:

In the Scriptures, the act of blessing means 'the imparting of power or life.' The person performing the blessing is mediating that power from God or Christ to the person performing or the animal involved. To bless is more than an expression of goodwill and caring. To bless is to impart God's power in person! The blessing of each animal, by name, means that health, healing and life are being mediated from God for the benefit of the animal in its relationship with its human partners. Be careful not to reinforce the separation of human animals and other animals by this blessing. Instead, consider reinforcing our common kinship by blessing ALL animals--human and otherwise.

from http://www.letallcreationpraise.org/worship-services/blessing-of-the-animals

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You certainly implied it since that was your defense for blessing animals in a church service.

I implied no such thing & I did not defend animals in a church service. However I have seen this done so it isn't an alien concept....just one I wouldn't approve of.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

What is that covenant? It was to never flood the earth again. It wasn't a blessing, it was a promise.

It was both especially when you consider that blessing also means

thing conducive to happiness or welfare

also

approval, encouragement

In my reading of the passage, I see this the covenant (promise) is that the animals will lay down in safety. Again, not a blessing but a promise

again both. Note covenant is strong language. God doesn't just bless humanity but makes a covenant to which he is beholden. Don't you find it interesting that he does a similar thing with animals? I'm not equating the level of his human covenant to that of animals however I am pointing that he conditions himself to their liberty as well. Thats pretty significant I would think.

I do not see any blessing given here.

Thats a shame since its inclusive in the text. God is promising to provide an environment condusive to animals well being which is also a blessing. He also covenants with them for their well being which is another blessing. I think your definition of blessing may be limited.

I see facts of what will be but not a blessing.

So the fact that you will go to heaven is not a blessing. You aren't blessed by going there. Thats a shame.

Remember they are different terms, with different meanings. What God promises to the animals in this passage is not what is done at a "blessing of the animals".

Hmmm. Making a divine covenant with animals for their well being isn't blessing them. Interesting.

I do not see in Scripture anywhere where animals are brought to a man to be blessed for a specific blessing for the animal.

you don't see that when God covenants with Israel he also covenants with their animals because of his covenant with Israel which is a blessing both to animals and People alike? Interesting.


As far as how far people go with it. I would agree some go off the deep end. But I don't see how praying for the well being of an animal that is your property is wrong. I don't see that treating animals with respect is wrong either. I'll still eat beacon and a hamburger but I won't necissarily be cruel either.

 

[Revmitchell]

I implied no such thing & I did not defend animals in a church service. However I have seen this done so it isn't an alien concept....just one I wouldn't approve of.

Ok?...........

 

[annsni]

It was both especially when you consider that blessing also means also



again both. Note covenant is strong language. God doesn't just bless humanity but makes a covenant to which he is beholden. Don't you find it interesting that he does a similar thing with animals? I'm not equating the level of his human covenant to that of animals however I am pointing that he conditions himself to their liberty as well. Thats pretty significant I would think.


Thats a shame since its inclusive in the text. God is promising to provide an environment condusive to animals well being which is also a blessing. He also covenants with them for their well being which is another blessing. I think your definition of blessing may be limited.


So the fact that you will go to heaven is not a blessing. You aren't blessed by going there. Thats a shame.

Hmmm. Making a divine covenant with animals for their well being isn't blessing them. Interesting.


you don't see that when God covenants with Israel he also covenants with their animals because of his covenant with Israel which is a blessing both to animals and People alike? Interesting.


As far as how far people go with it. I would agree some go off the deep end. But I don't see how praying for the well being of an animal that is your property is wrong. I don't see that treating animals with respect is wrong either. I'll still eat beacon and a hamburger but I won't necissarily be cruel either.

But is it the mission of the church as given in Scripture to bless animals? I don't see any support in that whatsoever. Yes, God has made covenants - He has not specifically brought animals to Himself to pray a blessing over them nor has He commanded His church to do so.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

But is it the mission of the church as given in Scripture to bless animals?

No its not the mission of the church to do that. It is the mission of the church to evangelize all humanity to come to a belief in Jesus Christ in order for them to Covenant with God for their salvation. However, while conducting its mission to evangelize the world the church also performs acts of mercy like healing of the sick, feeding the poor, etc... Its seems to me that it is congruent that prayers for the wellbeing of animals who belong to people would coincide with the Churches acts of mercy. I mean if people pray that their cars will make it to a destination, or that God will bless their house why not do such for animals who are more than just things but living beings?

I don't see any support in that whatsoever. Yes, God has made covenants - He has not specifically brought animals to Himself to pray a blessing over

I believe that the blessing over animals belonging to Israel is implicit in the covenenant he makes with them.

them nor has He commanded His church to do so.

Nor do you see a restriction on it either.

 

[annsni]

No its not the mission of the church to do that. It is the mission of the church to evangelize all humanity to come to a belief in Jesus Christ in order for them to Covenant with God for their salvation. However, while conducting its mission to evangelize the world the church also performs acts of mercy like healing of the sick, feeding the poor, etc... Its seems to me that it is congruent that prayers for the wellbeing of animals who belong to people would coincide with the Churches acts of mercy. I mean if people pray that their cars will make it to a destination, or that God will bless their house why not do such for animals who are more than just things but living beings?



I believe that the blessing over animals belonging to Israel is implicit in the covenenant he makes with them.

Nor do you see a restriction on it either.

I don't believe me praying that God would help my dog feel better is the same as a church sanctioned event that brings in animals into the church building for a specific purpose of "praying a blessing" on them. I can also pray that the tree next to my house doesn't rot and fall on my house but I won't plan on having a blessing of the trees as well!

 

[Alive in Christ]

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:6-9)

I don't know seems like blessing animals are appropriate. After all God does.

Its just so clear.

But these dear ones simply have no choice. They MUST perpetuate the "party line".

To grow in "grace and knowlage" is unthinkable! Unimaginable! Why...that would mean that we would be stepping out of the "little box" that we have been told we must stay in.

Cant have that.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

I don't believe me praying that God would help my dog feel better is the same as a church sanctioned event that brings in animals into the church building for a specific purpose of "praying a blessing" on them. I can also pray that the tree next to my house doesn't rot and fall on my house but I won't plan on having a blessing of the trees as well!

You don't think God hears your prayers for your animals? Why would he covenant with the animals (blessing them as he does so) if he didn't? If I had an orchard I would pray for those trees as well that they would be fruitful not get disease and give me their bounty. If God can bless my house he can certainly bless my animals and orchard.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You don't think God hears your prayers for your animals? Why would he covenant with the animals (blessing them as he does so) if he didn't? If I had an orchard I would pray for those trees as well that they would be fruitful not get disease and give me their bounty. If God can bless my house he can certainly bless my animals and orchard.

Repeat after me..... "God is Sovereign" :thumbs:

 

[Michael Wrenn]

Oh my word! The ridiculousness of this is astounding. Just because God created it does not mean we should include it in our worship services. The things liberals turn our churches into. Amazing.

What is amazing is when fanatics want to denigrate something, they throw the "liberal" label on it. A conservative evangelical Anglican Mission church in North Mississippi just a couple of weeks ago had a blessing of the animals service.

 

[Michael Wrenn]

If it's Christian, it must be spoken of in Scripture. I don't see a blessing of the animals in Scripture.

Do you see a 300-pound Billy Bob eating a plate of fried chicken in the church kitchen in scripture?

 

[Michael Wrenn]

Its just so clear.

But these dear ones simply have no choice. They MUST perpetuate the "party line".

To grow in "grace and knowlage" is unthinkable! Unimaginable! Why...that would mean that we would be stepping out of the "little box" that we have been told we must stay in.

Cant have that.

Indeed, indeed. And to limit God to one's own preconceived notions is sad.

 

[Michael Wrenn]

I don't believe me praying that God would help my dog feel better is the same as a church sanctioned event that brings in animals into the church building for a specific purpose of "praying a blessing" on them. I can also pray that the tree next to my house doesn't rot and fall on my house but I won't plan on having a blessing of the trees as well!

We planted a garden this year. I asked God to bless it and our labors. But I guess I committed a grievous sin if such can't be found in the Bible.

 

[The Biblicist]

We planted a garden this year. I asked God to bless it and our labors. But I guess I committed a grievous sin if such can't be found in the Bible.

Again, no one is condemning anything you want to pray for. You can pray that the dog manure fertilizes your lilly's properly and that is quite fine.

However, the public worship service has a clear Biblical agenda and acts of worship prescribed by Scripture. When there are so many pressing matters in our world today that the scriptures explicitly tell us to pray for (political leaders, sick, salvation, one another, etc.) it is really telling about any congregation that wants to incoporate into public worship a whole service dedicated to merely blessing animials. It is even more telling about professed Christians that would degenerate public worship services to center around plants and animals.

If this was a real significant purpose for a whole worship service to be dedicated unto you would think we could find at least a hint where PUBLIC WORSHIP either in the Old or New Testament was committed to such a thing? However, we find such a thing characteristic of pagan worship services throughout history.

 

[Alcott]

I thought we had animal blessings quite frequently. Blessings on the roast, the fried chicken, the barbecue....