God’s Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals

Susan Bulanda
Cladach Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9780975961988
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (10/08)

 

Christian and animal lover Susan Bulanda experiences first-hand the joy a pet can bring through her work as an animal trainer.  She also sees the profound sorrow and loss an owner feels after the animal’s unfortunate passing.  To answer her questions and her clients’ concerns about their beloved pets and their possible afterlife, she looked to the Bible.  This research resulted in a new book, “God’s Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals.” 

Bulanda begins her book with various discussions on animal behavior and her interpretations of those actions – singular and childlike interpretations which humanize and emotionalize more than anything.  For example, a cat not leaving her side during an illness is translated as the animal’s efforts to console her yet she doesn’t explore the possibility that the cat was simply enjoying the additional heat of her body’s fever.  Or her pet licking her face is construed as its attempt to heal her broken heart instead of just treating its taste buds to her salty tears.  Although she has no argument from me that God uses animals in His greater plan, her attempts at humanizing them with a sense of self and free will (making actual choices based on a thought process instead of natural instinct) is both far-fetched and unfounded. 

“God’s Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals” is a book of assumptions.  Many of her examples take a scripture of metaphorical imagery as solid indications and proof of her beliefs.  “As a dove” can be an analogy to peace or purity but its symbolic wording limits it to just that.  Instead, Bulanda quotes these scriptures then basically says, ‘See??  It said ‘dove’ so we can assume it’s a literal dove.’  Although Bulanda presents a nice premise in her book – animals going to heaven - it’s hardly an authoritative source for the subject matter.  At only 119 pages, she barely discusses each point with a handful of scriptures manipulated to support her own beliefs before moving on to the next section. 

On a positive note, “God’s Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals” is written with a loving enthusiasm for all living creatures.  Bulanda conveys her sincerity in every page as she warmly discusses her pets, animals in the Bible, and God’s love.  If only everyone in the world had as much concern for their pets and animals in general as this author does. 

Susan Bulanda’s “God’s Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals” is more the simple hopes of the author’s child within than a scholarly discussion of the nature of animals and their relevancy to life after death.  Although a nice premise, Bulanda’s research and subsequent book are disappointing.

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