"He [the Lord] gives food to every creature. His love endures forever" (Psalm 136:25NIV) can certainly be interpreted as vegan-friendly and animal-friendly, depending on the perspective through which it is read.
Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/the-lord-gives-food-to-every-creature-go-vegan-by-dr-chapman-chen
1. Why This Verse Resonates with Veganism:
1.1. God’s Provision for All Creatures:
The verse emphasizes that God provides for all creatures, not just humans. This suggests a divine care and compassion for animals, highlighting their intrinsic worth as part of God's creation.
1.2. Universal Love:
The phrase "His love endures forever" reflects an enduring, unconditional love for all living beings. This aligns with vegan values of kindness, respect, and nonviolence toward animals.
1.3. Nonviolence and Harmony:
By recognizing that God’s provision is for all creatures, the verse encourages a vision of harmony in creation, where humans and animals coexist without exploitation or harm—a concept central to many vegan philosophies.
2. Vegan-Theological Interpretation:
This verse can inspire believers to consider how their dietary and lifestyle choices align with God’s care for all living beings. Veganism often seeks to embody principles of compassion and Christly servanthood, which are consistent with the divine love described in the verse.
Broader Biblical Context:
Genesis 1:29 also supports vegan-friendly theology: "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." This suggests an original vegan diet intended for humans in Eden.
Isaiah 11:6-9 envisions a future peace where animals live in harmony, further reflecting the idea of a compassionate creation.
3. Conclusion:
Psalm 136:25 is a beautiful affirmation of God's universal care for all creatures, which can be seen as a call to respect and protect the lives of animals. It resonates strongly with vegan-friendly and animal-friendly interpretations of scripture, encouraging a lifestyle that reflects God's enduring love and provision for all beings.
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