We are pleased to announce the publication of Dr Stephen Vantassel's new book, Dominion Over Wildlife? An Environmental Theology of Human Wildlife Relations. This is the first book by Dr Vantassel, Dean of Students at King's, in a field which is growing in importance within Christian theology.

This thorough piece of research was the basis of his doctoral thesis, and we congratulate him for his efforts and hard work.

The book is available direct from the publisher (Resource Publications, a division of Wipf and Stock) or through King's online shop.

Further details about the book can be found on the back cover, which states:

For centuries Christians believed that God granted humanity dominion over the animal kingdom, meaning that we had a moral right to kill, manage, and eat animals including wildlife. Recently, however, environmental and animal rights activists have assaulted this traditional perspective. They argue that dominion as expressed in meat eating and hunting has resulted in species extinction and environmental degradation. Christian Animal Rights (CAR) activists suggest that the church must reevaluate its traditional beliefs in light of the fact that God’s original creation was free of human on animal violence. God, they argue, did not want man’s domino to be express through trapping, killing, and eating of animals. These violent activities only came about after the Fall, as God condescended to our hardness of heart. CAR activists point to Christ’s sacrificial work of reconciliation as a model for modern Christian behavior; as Christ sacrificed for us, we should avoid eating meat and hunting as ways we can participate in Christ’s non-violent work of reconciling creation to himself.

In this book, Stephen Vantassel investigates the biblical, ethical, and scientific argument employed by the CAR movement concerning human-wildlife relations. In this regard, the book engages in practical theology by addressing several important questions: How should Christians treat our wildlife neighbors? Has the Church been wrong in its understanding of human dominion? Does God want Christians to avoid hunting, trapping, fishing, and adopt a vegetarian lifestyle? This book provides answers to these questions by detailing a theology the author calls, “Shepherdism.”

Using both Old and New Testament references, Stephen Vantassel very effectively defends trapping, hunting, fishing, and all animal use from the claims of the Christian Animal Rights movement… This book is essential reading for Christians and non-Christians alike. No only does it clarify the issue of animal use, it allows people to use the Bible to defend themselves from attacks by animal rights activists. And it enlarges our awareness of our relationship with the physical world. Vantassel has given us the gift of increasing our consciousness, thereby expanding our ability to worship God.
Bob Noonan
Editor,  Wildlife Control Technology

Further information about Dr Vantassel's work in this field can be found on his website.