Rating: 
Summary: a poignant book for vegetarians or non-vegetarians
Review: A very thoughtful friend (who is a vegetarian) recommended this book to me. Though a meat-eater for nearly 30 years, I decided to give this book a try. I was pleasantly surprised.First, Young writes in a cool, level-headed fashion that doesn't come across as angry or accusatory. Unlike other books on the subject, this feels more scholarly and balanced. Second, Young takes you through the Bible with remarkable insight. It is a deeply Christian work throughout. His arguments mainly depend on understanding the whole story, and what he calls "directional markers." This is a very powerful idea that I think really illuminates many modern ethical issues. To his credit, he does not try to argue that Jesus and the apostles were vegetarians, and that this message was somehow corrupted later on. He brilliantly argues that the situations of modern slaughterhouses did not exist in biblical times, and that the fundamental values of Christianity are in opposition to them. He does point out that human history in the bible is bracketed by vegetarian behavior (cf Genesis 1-2 and the Isaiah description of the "peaceable kingdom"). Why then should we not move toward this goal? My one cavil with the book is that it is not written for the evangelical Christian (which I am). His view of Scripture would certainly make many evangelicals uncomfortable (for example his understanding of several authors writing the Pentateuch, his sometimes fuzzy statements on the nature of Jesus ministry, etc.). Occassionally I thought he cited verses out of context such that their true meaning was obscured by his intentions. Despite these flaws, I think overall his biblical exegesis is sound (Professor Young is a professor of New Testament, so this is no surprise). I do appreciate his numerous statements along the lines of "I'm not saying everyone must stopping eating all meat in all circumstances." Instead, he thoughtfully and gently tries to challenge the reader to reconsider their own practices. I know that my own meat consumption has gone way down and am contemplating becoming a vegetarian. He encourages the reader to make slow changes, such as finding one meatless main dish per week to add into your diet. Who cannot do that? I also think much more deeply about the conditions that animals are kept in today and how they should live. Would you eat that piece of chicken or beef if you could see the animal's death? What is gluttony if not eating on more than you need? These and more questions are powerful thoughts that will challenge you throughout the book.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: Dr. Young is much more than a relevant contemporary Christian, he is also an exceptional theologian, scholar/teacher of the Greek New Testament, and lives very much what he teaches. He was my Greek professor nearly 20 years ago and I must say his literary work has taken on a distilled wisdom. Best wishes to all who read his work. M. Williams
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: Dr. Young is much more than a relevant contemporary Christian, he is also an exceptional theologian, scholar/teacher of the Greek New Testament, and lives very much what he teaches. He was my Greek professor nearly 20 years ago and I must say his literary work has taken on a distilled wisdom. Best wishes to all who read his work. M. Williams
Rating:
Summary: A great book: thoroughly researched and wonderfully written
Review: I am saddened by a previous review by "a reader" on July 26, 2000. I wonder if this person even read the book. Or did they read it with a closed mind and heart? What makes this book so wonderful is the author's ability to remain unbiased while using scriptual evidence to answer very complicated questions. Unlike some of the more complex books on the study of Christianity and Animal Rights (e.g. Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology), Richard Alan Young writes in a clear, consise, and easy-to-understand manner yet manages to answer all the important questions that arise when considering this complex subject. This should be required reading for anyone who calls themself a Christian. Truthfully, it would be easier to not read this book and not think about how your life adds to the suffering and violence inflicted upon animals (ignorance is bliss), but I urge you to read this book, ask God to open your heart and mind, and let Him through His Word change the way you view animals.
Rating:
Summary: All Christians should be required to read this book.
Review: I am saddened by a previous review by "a reader" on July 26, 2000. I wonder if this person even read the book. Or did they read it with a closed mind and heart? What makes this book so wonderful is the author's ability to remain unbiased while using scriptual evidence to answer very complicated questions. Unlike some of the more complex books on the study of Christianity and Animal Rights (e.g. Andrew Linzey's Animal Theology), Richard Alan Young writes in a clear, consise, and easy-to-understand manner yet manages to answer all the important questions that arise when considering this complex subject. This should be required reading for anyone who calls themself a Christian. Truthfully, it would be easier to not read this book and not think about how your life adds to the suffering and violence inflicted upon animals (ignorance is bliss), but I urge you to read this book, ask God to open your heart and mind, and let Him through His Word change the way you view animals.
Rating:
Summary: Affirmational for Christian vegetarians
Review: I have argued animal rights and vegetarianism with many Christians and run into the same walls time after time. This book really helps put things in a Christian perspective without arguing the historical points. I think most Christians reading this book will at least have a new perspective on veganism. I am going to buy copies for my Christian relatives and friends this Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: Great book to appeal to the non-veg Christians in your life
Review: I have argued animal rights and vegetarianism with many Christians and run into the same walls time after time. This book really helps put things in a Christian perspective without arguing the historical points. I think most Christians reading this book will at least have a new perspective on veganism. I am going to buy copies for my Christian relatives and friends this Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: a poignant book for vegetarians or non-vegetarians
Review: I read Linzey's book, "Animal Gospel," in which he laid a good theological basis for humane care of animals and the practice of vegetarianism. However, he did not adequately address certain issues which were pressing to me. These included God giving Noah permission to eat meat, God providing a garment of skin for Adam and Eve, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, Jesus eating meat and Paul's arguments against vegetarianism. Richard Young does and excellent job addressing all of these and other issues. He approaches each issue and question with straight forward honesty. Frequently, I felt as if he brought up an issue with which there was not good vegetarian response. However, he would address how it is normally read, frequently in complete agreement with the traditional reading of the passage, but then very gently present a fresh perspective. Some Christian vegetarian groups use dubious historical documents to "prove" that Jesus and/or his disciples were vegetarian. Young does nothing of the kind, in fact, he debunks those attempts. He is very honest and straightforward in presenting his case. I would strongly recommend this book for the Christian who is struggling with animal rights and vegetarianism from a Biblical perspective. If a Christian is not struggling with these issues, perhaps they should and this book would be a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: He Answered My Questions
Review: I read Linzey's book, "Animal Gospel," in which he laid a good theological basis for humane care of animals and the practice of vegetarianism. However, he did not adequately address certain issues which were pressing to me. These included God giving Noah permission to eat meat, God providing a garment of skin for Adam and Eve, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, Jesus eating meat and Paul's arguments against vegetarianism. Richard Young does and excellent job addressing all of these and other issues. He approaches each issue and question with straight forward honesty. Frequently, I felt as if he brought up an issue with which there was not good vegetarian response. However, he would address how it is normally read, frequently in complete agreement with the traditional reading of the passage, but then very gently present a fresh perspective. Some Christian vegetarian groups use dubious historical documents to "prove" that Jesus and/or his disciples were vegetarian. Young does nothing of the kind, in fact, he debunks those attempts. He is very honest and straightforward in presenting his case. I would strongly recommend this book for the Christian who is struggling with animal rights and vegetarianism from a Biblical perspective. If a Christian is not struggling with these issues, perhaps they should and this book would be a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: A great book: thoroughly researched and wonderfully written
Review: My library just got this book a couple of months ago and I was the first one to read it. I became a vegetarian about a year ago because of my love for animals and recieved some not so good comments from some of my Christian friends. I am a Christian and I wanted to find reassurance from Christians that being a vegetarian was not the wrong thing to do and I found that reassurance by reading this book.
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