A transformative perspective on animal afterlife bridging theological reflection and moral action
What happens to our beloved companion animals after death? Do they and other animals have a place in the divine plan?
A Heaven for Animals offers a groundbreaking theological rationale for the inclusion of animals in heaven, challenging conventional thinking about the role animals have in God's plan. Based on Biblical evidence and the doctrine of the Catholic Church, Christopher Steck reveals a radical vision of divine grace that extends far beyond human-centric perspectives, demonstrating how animals are intrinsically part of Christ's redemptive work.
Accessible to both theological scholars and thoughtful readers seeking deeper spiritual insights, this book provides a rigorous and compassionate framework for understanding the sacredness of all creation and the creatures within it. A Heaven for Animals invites readers to reimagine their ethical responsibilities, suggesting that our treatment of animals should strive to reflect an anticipatory vision of God's inclusive kingdom—a transformative perspective that bridges theological reflection and moral action.
Reviews
"A fascinating, even landmark, book of grounded and nuanced scholarship that convincingly makes the case for why animals are part of God's saving plan, and will be with us in heaven—not because we need them, but because God loves them."—James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage
"A thorough, compelling, and essential response to a question that most of us have wrongly relegated to a mere passing query."—Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ, Pastor, Holy Name Of Jesus Church
"A Heaven for Animals: A Catholic Case and Why It Matters, a readable and engaging new book by Christopher Steck, S.J., is dedicated to all those who have loved an animal and hope to see it again....Steck's book is like a jigsaw puzzle that helps us to see why it is that animals are indeed necessarily included in the Christian story of salvation."—America: The Jesuit Review
"[F]r. Christopher Steck's latest book presents scriptural insight into this important topic....A Heaven for Animals will empower you to initiate conversations in your faith community."—PETA LAMBS
"With careful reasoning, genuine insight, and a graceful, affable style, Steck invites us to think seriously about our fellow creatures: what we owe them in this life, and what might await them in another. The result is a beautifully written and very persuasive case, with a hopeful message for anyone who has ever loved an animal."—Matthew Scully, author, Dominion and Fear Factories
"Steck's book is a timely and thought-provoking addition to Catholic reflection on caring for our common home, especially our fellow creatures. The book is grounded in rigorous Catholic systematic theology, but Steck writes in a clever and approachable style, addressing directly the real questions that interested nonacademics have."—Daniel P. Scheid, associate professor, Duquesne University, author of The Cosmic Common Good: Religious Grounds for Ecological Ethics
About the Author
Christopher Steck, SJ, is the Healey Family Distinguished Professor in Ethical Issues in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University and editor in chief of Theological Studies. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including All God's Animals: A Catholic Theological Framework for Animal Ethics (GUP, 2019).
