The Bible teaches the ensoulment of animals. The Old Testament affirms
the existence of both “the spirit of man” and “the spirit of the beast.”
(Eccl 3:19-21) The prophet Balaam’s donkey expressed itself rationally
to its abusive owner. (Num 22:28) That was likely spirit-to-spirit
communication since donkeys don’t have the necessary anatomy for
physical vocalization. And, when God created life, He made “every plant
of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew.” (Gn 2:5) That’s a reference to the creation of spirits before the creation of earthly bodies for those spirits.
John
saw animals in heaven, the four beasts, who could communicate the same
way human spirits do. (Rev 4:6) Could they be figurative? Yes,
representing the inclusion of animals in God’s plan for the happiness of
all His creations. (DC 77:2)
Despite the
scriptural evidence, most Christian religions have taught that only
humans have spirits. Some religions teach that animals have a spirit but
that it dies when the body dies.
But some religions that have historically denied animal ensoulment are now softening. Christianity has been slowly coming to the viewpoint that animals have spirits, one cleric and sect at a time. Perhaps church leaders and theologians nowadays have more experience with animal companions than in yesteryear. If this trend continues, all Christianity will soon embrace the idea:
♦
Evangelicals: Billy Graham said, “If we need animals around us to make
our happiness complete, then you can be sure God will have them there
[in heaven].”
♦ Catholics: Pope John Paul II said, “Animals possess a soul.”
♦ LDS Christians: Since the
1830’s, The Church of JESUS CHRIST of LDS has held a doctrine that
closely resembles animism, the religious belief that all things,
animals, plants, Mother Earth, et cetera, possess a distinct spirit
essence. The spirit of everything is not only sentient but sapient to
some degree.
People who’ve died and been resuscitated report having seen the spirits of people, animals, plants, and other things. It's hard to imagine heaven without a picture like the Garden of Eden coming to mind. If nonhuman life didn't have spirit, it wouldn't make it to heaven - what a desert that would be!
Only
hell is barren. Heaven is chock full of all kinds of life! All dogs go
to heaven, all cats - all nonhuman life. What makes humans different
from all other animals? We have the ability to choose not to be included
in heaven through our attitudes, choices, and actions.