Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates

Here’s what the author’s website says about the author of Cold Noses…: “Gary Kurz is a retired Coast Guard officer who served his country faithfully and honorably for over 30 years. He and his wife have a love for animals and a concern for others who share their love. Employing his Bible education and more than 20,000 hours of personal Bible study, the author thoughtfully and convincingly addresses a question that is often on our minds, but seldom uttered aloud, that of animal afterlife.”

Here’s what the publisher information about the book says: “Animal lover and biblical scholar Kurz presents a heart warming and touching guide for people dealing with the loss of their pet. He shares inspiring insights, and answers common questions about animals and the afterlife. Illustrated.”

Here’s what Charles Colson writes in this month’s Christianity Today: “Well-meaning evangelical authors write of their hopes that God will admit their beloved dogs into heaven…the list of books maintaining that pets are heaven-bound is long and furry.”

But Colson sees a greater danger here than just bad theology: “There are signs of Christians weakening their best defense against activists on what constitutes the distinctiveness of humans.”

Colson continues, “The scriptures tell us that animals are soulless creatures and will perish with the rest of creation. We will not see them while our souls rest with God; when Christ returns and our bodies are resurrected, we will live in the new heavens and new earth — where they may be new, not resurrected animals.

“If we fail to understand our own doctrines, more and more Americans will begin to accept the idea that animals and humans are morally equivalent — and animal-rights activists may press on to their ultimate goal: eliminating animal agriculture and banning scientific research that uses animals — jeopardizing the development of live-saving medicines…”

Colson is convinced that Christ’s atonement did not include animals. And so am I.

~PW