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(A PARTIAL EXCERPT)
SELF-INFLICTED HUNTING ARGUMENTS: Biblical Responses to a Loaded Issue by $12.95 USA 1-888-HIS-DOVE (Orders & Media Only) *THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
IN ANY MANNER WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER!
"...I was the guest on a Christian radio talk show when the non-hunting host of the program asked, “Would Jesus shoot Bambi?” Now the program was live—and quite frankly the question startled me. I’m still not sure how much I stuttered and stammered. Nevertheless, I did somehow manage to eventually say, “Yes!” I then went on to explain some of what the Bible actually has to say about hunting. IT ALL DEPENDS
However, afterwards I got to thinking about this concise,
but loaded question, “Would Jesus shoot Bambi?” In one sense I still
strongly agree with my “Yes!” Yet, on the other hand I must now honestly
say, “It all depends.”By stating, “It all depends,” I am not trying to skirt around the issue, nor am I merely resorting to some convenient form of moral relativism. Over the years, I have researched and written on what the Bible has to say about hunting and whether or not it is entirely appropriate for Christians to kill non-human creatures. Still, the question, “Would Jesus shoot Bambi?” is somewhat complicated in that it contains a couple of extremely important variables. The answer to the question ultimately depends on which Bambi and which Jesus one is talking about. Unfortunately, today what is often conjured up in many people’s minds when someone makes mention of Jesus or uses the word Bambi is quite unplugged from reality. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “BAMBI”?
You see, while the Bambi popularized by Walt Disney may
make for great childhood fiction, this imaginary creature is by no means
an accurate portrayal of any single member of the deer family. Bambi’s
physical characteristics as well as the depiction of the general life cycle
and development of a deer in this particular movie leaves much to be desired.
For example, one finds that Bambi kept his spots too long, failed to shed
his antlers properly, and was interested in the opposite sex in the spring
rather than the fall. As a matter of fact, Disney’s little buck could
probably be more accurately classified as a supernatural being. Bambi
was not only able to communicate with his own kind, but also possessed the
power to converse quite fluently with a vast variety of other animals and
birds. Indeed, Bambi was able to do what humans can not.If by “Bambi” a person means an animated creature—well, then that’s one thing. But, if by “Bambi” one is referring to something similar to several of those species mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy (an Old Testament book from which Jesus quoted)—well, then that’s another story. In Deuteronomy 14:4-5 the Scriptures state, “These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep.” This text and others in the Bible make it clear that deer and various other types of wild animals were permissible to eat. We also know that shortly after the great flood in Noah’s day God blessed Noah and his sons and then told them, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything” (Genesis 9:3). God expanded the menu of permissible food from what it had been prior to the flood. Because every creature ultimately belongs to God, He is the one who possesses the sole authority for allowing humans to harvest both wildlife and domesticated creatures..." (Continued). "WHICH JESUS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
Nevertheless, the question still remains—“Would Jesus
shoot Bambi?” Again, the answer “depends.” It not only depends
to which “Bambi” we are referring, but also which “Jesus” we are talking
about. Now, of course, there is only one authentic Jesus Christ.
Even so, back in the first century the Apostle Paul, whom God used to write
about half the New Testament, recognized that it was entirely possible for
Christ to be misrepresented. When writing to the Christians in the
city of Corinth, Paul pointed out, “For if someone comes to you and preaches
a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit
from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted,
you put up with it easily enough” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Apparently
Paul not only understood that the message of Jesus could be severely distorted,
but he was also deeply concerned that such a corruption of whom Christ is
would wind up being readily accepted by others. Sadly, there are presently many mental images of Jesus which are less than adequate. In some cases, these twisted ideas about the Savior severely distort the Jesus Christ who is revealed in our Bibles. In fact, even what is commonly recognized as being biblical often is not..." (Continued). Talked about in the U.S. Catholic ! As reviewed in Rub-lines (A NATIONAL WHITETAIL MAGAZINE !) Talked about on LIVE FIRE RADIO ! Covereded in an interview on the God's Great Outdoors National Radio Program ! Discussed with Host Chip Howard on THE ZONE 1150 AM College Station, Texas.
As talked about on
HUNTING THE MIDWEST RADIO SHOW
with
Chris Bates and Tiffany Moore. As heard on KDUZ 1260 AM with Host Jim Ohnstad Hutchinson, MN. Discussed on WWJC.com with host Ted Elm. As heard on the Bob Dutko Show on Detroit, Michigan's 103.5 FM WMUZ. Read a review by Staff Writer Molly Miron in the Bemidji, MN PIONEER Newspaper! Available Now! SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR SHOPPING CART 1-888-HIS-DOVE (Orders & Media Calls Only)
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© Copyright 2003 Tom Rakow . All rights reserved.
