Do dogs (and bunnies) go to heaven?

Do dogs (and bunnies) go to heaven? In this extract we discuss what would it take for the spirits of animals to be preserved for the afterlife. And if animals have moral reasoning and the soul is an emergent traits, what would prevent them from enjoying an afterlife.

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[danparks]

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Rev. 21:5

[Jim-Mc]

I agree with the logic of this argument. I've certainly observed what can only be described as moral struggle in animals as a consequence of humans teaching them right and wrong.

[dantessmith]

God told Jonah that he would spare Nineveh due partly to the animals in that city. Which seems to suggest some kind of soul or spirit that could persist in afterlife.

[Silverheart]

Hugh Ross makes a distinction between the "soulish animals" who have lived in association with humans and other animals.

[abc_]

The Soul is mind, will and emotions - animals DO have souls.

[charliedontsurf]

Does it matter how wascally the wabbits are?

[KeepsLearning]

If certain animals have spirits, would it bother you if the doctrine of annihilation applies to them (not to people)?

[baxterwilliams]

CS Lewis said the same thing about animals not having moral agency or souls until they are domesticated by humans. I find that belief frankly to be very contrived. As in the pet owner seems to not want to fully wrestle with reality and just wants their pet to come with them. Meanwhile, the consequences of such a view outside of the home strains any believability. As though a cat has a chance at heaven (or the animal equivalent) as long as it chose to seek shelter in a human dwelling, but if it instead starved to death or was eaten alive in the wilderness then it was just a squishy robot without any inner life or consciousness. Don't even get me started on the consequences of such a view on our domesticated livestock and food supply. As if the animals that we raised and slaughter entirely in a factory are the ones with the greatest ability to feel pain and know right from wrong thanks to our long history together as species.

[daduzadude]

Here’s hoping my Rexy makes it!
But not Velocirabbit - he’s to evil!

[thomasioslo]

So if dogs have thoughts about moral, what about the farisees - will they definitely had moral ideas ?

[matthews]

Even though there will be the New Earth, The Lord Jesus' physically resurrected body is currently in Heaven. I believe it's possible that in our glorified bodies we can easily dimemsionally shift between Heaven and the New Earth

[michaelgee]

Velocirabbit! Will I get to meet the real carnivore in heaven?

[TairyuShakuhachi]

You can't tell me... that the All Dogs To Heaven, doesn't mean All? Dr. Falk... I didn't know you were a Calvinist!

[Ieffmacloud]

There some type of spirit in animals but not the same type as mankind. Tough question really. An animal is lower than man, man lower than angels, angels under God. In the heaven there isn't evil influence. Some might others might have some sort of other form of existence. It could be the bad qualities we see in animals is due to what they are subjected too and they are not held accountable. Man only has one good choice, Jesus.... To reject that puts into separation from the good elements of God.

[woodworkerroyer]

I would love to see my animals in Heaven. But I don't see anything in the Bible that indicates they will be there. Maybe there will be new ones? Maybe the old ones will be "recycled" somehow and live on the New Earth?


I'd love them to be there, but I see no evidence of them being there. In all the talk about Heaven, never once were animals mentioned other than creatures "like" certain animals.

I agree, though, that our understanding of Heaven is sad and pathetic, compared to what it will be. So it's certainly possible. It's definitely not a certainty, though.

And if animals have souls, I don't think they'd be acquired. If anything, it would be like the age of accountability in children where they are suddenly aware enough to make a decision. And that brings up a counter point, if animals are in heaven, why? They can do wrong by your definition (getting up where they aren't supposed to), but they don't know who Jesus is, so they can't be saved once they do wrong. They live in a fallen world just like we do, but somehow they get a "free pass" just because they're animals? I don't think their brains are developed enough to know good from bad, and make a decision. The ones you see them making would be Pavlovian reward/punishment decisions like they make when finding a new "food." It either tastes good or they get sick and that dictates their next encounter and treatment of the food. Same with the couch. You spank them or punish them in some way, and it's no longer wortht the reward of sitting on the couch.

[savsmaster]

That Mosquito 🦟 you smashed on your arm the other day is going to Heaven. All living things have souls, although not as great in degree as the human one.

[derekmathews]

But the cockroaches all go to hell right?

[Logan_Bishop_YT]

I would say they do, because they lack Original Sin.

[johnirish]

No, anything with blood has a soul. Correct translation of Gen 9:4: Only flesh with its soul, its blood, you must not eat. When our Lord abolishes death all souls are graced with vivification, life beyond death. Ditto celestial spirits, including Satan. Eternal torment is coupled with hate. God is coupled with love. His Son is the marriage between grace and truth. Let no man put
Could my Shugga Wugga soften Satan's heart? With God all things are possible.

[VardTheHut]

No, move on.... Maybe in the Second Coming