Andrew Linzey
Encyclopedia
Andrew Linzey is an Anglican priest
, theologian, author, and prominent figure in the Christian vegetarian movement. He is a member of the Faculty of Theology in the University of Oxford
and held the world’s first academic post in Ethics, Theology and Animal Welfare — the Bede Jarret Senior Research Fellowship at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford
.
, England, and from 1992 to 1996, he was Special Professor in Theology at the University of Nottingham
, England. In 1998, he was Visiting Professor at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is currently Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham
, England, and Special Professor at Saint Xavier University, Chicago and an Honorary Research Fellow of St Stephen's House, Oxford
.
Andrew Linzey is the founder and director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, an independent educational company, opened in November 2006. The company aims to encourage research into, and improve public debate on, the issues surrounding animal-related ethics. More than 100 academics in various fields currently act as advisers to the company.
He has written more than 180 articles, and authored or edited twenty books on theology
and ethics
. He has lectured and broadcast extensively in Europe and the United States. His Animal Theology has been translated into Italian, Spanish, Japanese and French.
He is most often quoted as saying "Animals are God's creatures, not human property, nor utilities, nor resources, nor commodities, but precious beings in God's sight. ... Christians whose eyes are fixed on the awfulness of crucifixion are in a special position to understand the awfulness of innocent suffering. The Cross of Christ is God's absolute identification with the weak, the powerless, and the vulnerable, but most of all with unprotected, undefended, innocent suffering."
, Archbishop of Canterbury
, in recognition of his “unique and massive pioneering work in the area of the theology of creation with particular reference to the rights and welfare of God’s sentient creatures”. This is the highest award that the Archbishop can bestow on a theologian and the first time it has been awarded for work involving animals. In 2006, in recognition of his role in the creation of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, Linzey was named the Henry Bergh
Professor of Animal Ethics at the Graduate Theological Foundation in the U.S., the first such professorship of its kind in the world.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, theologian, author, and prominent figure in the Christian vegetarian movement. He is a member of the Faculty of Theology in the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and held the world’s first academic post in Ethics, Theology and Animal Welfare — the Bede Jarret Senior Research Fellowship at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
Career
From 1987 to 1992, he was Director of Studies of the Centre for the Study of Theology at the University of EssexUniversity of Essex
The University of Essex is a British campus university whose original and largest campus is near the town of Colchester, England. Established in 1963 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1965...
, England, and from 1992 to 1996, he was Special Professor in Theology at the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
, England. In 1998, he was Visiting Professor at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is currently Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
, England, and Special Professor at Saint Xavier University, Chicago and an Honorary Research Fellow of St Stephen's House, Oxford
St Stephen's House, Oxford
St Stephen’s House, Oxford , is an Anglican theological college and one of six religious Permanent Private Halls of the University of Oxford, England...
.
Andrew Linzey is the founder and director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, an independent educational company, opened in November 2006. The company aims to encourage research into, and improve public debate on, the issues surrounding animal-related ethics. More than 100 academics in various fields currently act as advisers to the company.
He has written more than 180 articles, and authored or edited twenty books on theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
. He has lectured and broadcast extensively in Europe and the United States. His Animal Theology has been translated into Italian, Spanish, Japanese and French.
He is most often quoted as saying "Animals are God's creatures, not human property, nor utilities, nor resources, nor commodities, but precious beings in God's sight. ... Christians whose eyes are fixed on the awfulness of crucifixion are in a special position to understand the awfulness of innocent suffering. The Cross of Christ is God's absolute identification with the weak, the powerless, and the vulnerable, but most of all with unprotected, undefended, innocent suffering."
Honours
In 1990, he was awarded the Peaceable Kingdom Medal for outstanding work in the field of theology and animals. In June, 2001, he was awarded a DD (Doctor of Divinity) degree by George CareyGeorge Carey
George Leonard Carey, Baron Carey of Clifton PC, FKC is a former Archbishop of Canterbury, holding the office from 1991 to 2002. He was the first modern holder of the office not to have attended Oxford or Cambridge University...
, Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, in recognition of his “unique and massive pioneering work in the area of the theology of creation with particular reference to the rights and welfare of God’s sentient creatures”. This is the highest award that the Archbishop can bestow on a theologian and the first time it has been awarded for work involving animals. In 2006, in recognition of his role in the creation of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, Linzey was named the Henry Bergh
Henry Bergh
Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in April, 1866, three days after the first effective legislation against animal cruelty in the United States was passed into law by the New York State Legislature...
Professor of Animal Ethics at the Graduate Theological Foundation in the U.S., the first such professorship of its kind in the world.
Author
- Linzey, Andrew Animal Rights: A Christian Perspective (London: SCM Press, 1976)
- Linzey, Andrew Christianity and the Rights of Animals (London: SPCK and New York: Crossroad, 1987 and 1989)
- Linzey, Andrew Animal Theology (London: SCM Press and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1994 and 1996)
- Linzey, Andrew Animal Theology University of Illinois Press, 1995, ISBN 0-252-02170-3
- Linzey, Andrew Animal Gospel: The Christian Defense of Animals Hodder & Stoughton Religious, 1998, ISBN 0-340-62150-8
- Linzey, Andrew Animal Gospel: Christian Faith as If Animals Mattered (London: Hodder and Stougton, and Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1999 and 2000)
- Linzey, Andrew Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care (London: SCM Press and Cleveland: Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 1999 and 2001)
- Linzey, Andrew Creatures of the Same God: Explorations in Animal Theology (New York: Lantern BooksLantern BooksLantern Books is an American book publisher since 1998, first located in Union Square , and now with offices in Brooklyn. It "publishes books for all wanting to live with greater spiritual depth and commitment to the preservation of the natural world." The subject areas that Lantern Books covers...
, 2009). ISBN 978-1-59056-142-3 - Why Animal Suffering Matters: Philosophy, Theology, and Practical Ethics (Oxford University Press, 2009). ISBN 978-0195379778
Co-author
- co-authored with Dan Cohn-Sherbok After Noah: Animals and the Liberation of Theology (London: Mowbray, now Continuum, 1997)
Editor
- edited with Tom Regan Animals and Christianity: A Book of Readings (London: SPCK and New York: Crossroad, 1989 and 1990)
- edited with P.A.B. Clarke Political Theory and Animal Rights (London: Pluto Press, 1990)
- editor of The Animal World Encyclopaedia Kingsley Media, 2005
Co-editor
- co-edited with Peter Wexler Fundamentalism and Tolerance (Canterbury Papers) Bellew Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0-947792-74-0
- co-editor Dictionary of Ethics, Theology and Society Routledge, 1995
- co-edited with Dorothy Yamamoto Animals on the Agenda: Questions about Animals for Theology and Ethics (London: SCM Press and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1998 and 1999)
- co-editor, Gays and the Future of Anglicanism: Responses to the Windsor Report O Books, 2005, ISBN 1-905047-38-X
- co-edited with Paul Barry Clarke Animal Rights: A Historical Anthology Columbia University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-231-13420-7
See also
- Animal rightsAnimal rightsAnimal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
- Animal welfareAnimal welfareAnimal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
- Christian vegetarianismChristian vegetarianismChristian vegetarianism is a minority Christian belief based on effecting the compassionate teachings of Jesus, the twelve apostles and the early church to all living beings through vegetarianism or, ideally, veganism...
- Vegetarianism and religionVegetarianism and religionVegetarianism and religion are strongly linked in a number of religions that originated in ancient India . In Jainism, vegetarianism is mandatory for everyone; in Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, it is advocated by some influential scriptures and religious authorities...
- Animal chaplainsAnimal chaplainsAnimal chaplains community, including pet loss grief support, animal memorial services, praying for animals who are sick or injured, comforting bereaved family members, holding hands with pet owners during surgery or animal euthanasia at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, and performing...