Vegangelical

July 4, 2016
Evangelical public policy activist King (Animals Are Not Ours ) ambitiously makes a case for veganism and animal rights to an evangelical Christian audience that may not have thought much about the biblical significance of animals except as sacrifice and meat. King reexamines some key theological concepts, such as dominion, and major doctrinal arguments about the kingdom of God and reconciliation, using language that evangelicals will be comfortable with in order to move readers to reflect about animal welfare. Her theological analysis is more provocative and successful than the rest of the book, which relies on shocking anecdotes about horribly mistreated animals at zoos, pet stores, research labs, and factory farms. Considerable existing literature critiques animal treatment, especially in food production; a growing body of literature of ecospirituality also considers the dignity and place of animals in God's creation. For her audience, King's argument may be innovative, but those outside evangelical circles who have religiously motivated concern for the earth will find this work under-researched and longer on shock value than ethical provocation.

June 1, 2016
Are Christians compelled by their faith to be vegan? According to this book, the answer is a resounding yes. King lays out the case that a right relationship with God and His creation call for a commitment to animal care. The book begins with a detailed yet approachable theological consideration of the nature of creation and humanity's relationship to it. The scholarship is thorough, and King draws on a range of voices. Once the theological foundation is in place, the rest of the book is concerned with praxishow do those theological considerations inform relationships with animals and with the industries that use them? Sensitive readers should be aware that the book discusses, with just enough detail, the pain and suffering inflicted on the animals we eat, wear, entertain ourselves with, and test our cleaning products on. The descriptions are painful but illustrate well the idea that humanity's call to care for creation has been ignored. It is a compelling argument that right relationship with creator and created requires better consideration. Readers will certainly find themselves reconsidering whether they should order that steak.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)