Do Dogs go to Heaven?
Some of my customers know that my background is in the theo-geek world. My degrees are from both Protestant and Catholic schools. I’ve taught classes for churches, high schools, and colleges; written thousands of pages synthesizing history, philosophy, and theology. So how does that kind of a background help me with my GT Grooming Trailers business? Well, maybe it is to help dog lovers cope with the loss of their friend.
A couple of nights ago, I had to euthanize my boxer, Gruffie. Doing so sort of forced me to dig out my old theologian cap and review minds greater than my own. I initially found little comfort. However, my sifting of 2,000 years of thought revealed sufficient room to hope that God could be planning a surprise for us!
First of all, please understand that this article is speculative and not official doctrine of any group. The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not answer the question concerning, “Do dogs go to heaven?” Likewise, the intelligencia of the Protestant world does not have a definitive conclusion. Though not “officially” decided, the leanings of both traditions heavily lean towards a nearly emphatic, “No, dogs do not go to heaven.” But there are layers within theology. Black and white doctrine does not answer questions of some natures; allowing surprises.
The flaw: In the smallest nutshell possible, the theological arguments concluding the destiny or our pets are based upon definitions of body, soul, and spirit. The argument is mathematical. However, theological equations don’t apply to certain questions. Examples of such questions are, “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” or, “Does Eve have a belly button?” The question of whether or not dogs go to heaven, I believe, is one of these kinds of questions.
The theological equation employed to answer the question also operates on the premise that animals were created to serve God instead of man, that dogs cannot choose righteous living, etc. I think it would be more biblical, in a way that is sure to satisfy most Christian faiths, to surmise that animals are created for man, subject to man, and therefore are exempt from being categorized as sharing in any soteriology (salvation doctrine) that is ascribed to man. In other words, dogs don’t need to “believe in Jesus” to be “saved.” I feel a bit goofy writing that!
Moving right along. Even if we were to accept the premise that dogs do not have immortal souls, there is no theological rule that does not allow man to believe that God cannot provide spirits (in the actual meaning of the word) to dogs at a later date–like upon their death. Therefore, the foundation of solid theology can allow for a seemingly unorthodox belief to be valid.
Since official doctrines of the Christian faiths do allow some wriggle room, secondary “evidences” add weight to our hope that our canine friends may be waiting for us. As one reads scripture, it is nearly impossible to overlook how God uses animals to communicate to man. Apocalyptic books rely heavily on the usage of animal imagery. God, within Genesis, even gave the animals to man–a gift.
Medieval speculators theorized that dogs may even be guardian angels. We all know stories that seem to fit that scenario. Personally, as I recently observed a homeless man on a street corner as he played with his mangey mutt, I found it nearly impossible to dismiss the possibility that the homeless man may be in the presence of both his guardian angel and his best friend. It is difficult for me to visualize that man entering heaven without, what is most likely, the closest thing to “love” he has ever known.
Those who consider themselves Christians tend to believe that God has planned more for us in heaven than we can imagine. Perhaps his plan includes the love we have for our pets–even though our mathematics cannot reveal it. Is it not possible that an architect would enter heaven and find God granting him heavenly architecture? Don’t most Christians believe there is music in heaven; music not only for the novice but to impress even the most gifted of earth?
Theology is the insertion of reason into religion. By definition, it cannot fully entertain the question of our pet’s destiny. I believe there is certainly enough wriggle room to hope to see our pets waiting and wagging for us at the pearly gates.
Patrick
GT