What Dogs Can Teach Us About Faith

The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His
greatest gifts the commonest.
[Martin Luther]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ of Peace and Grue Parish,

Blessings to you as we continue our journey together as brothers and sisters in Christ. As, we just came through the “dog days of summer” technically, the 40 day period between July 3 and August 11. Just so you know, this period isn’t named “dog days” because it’s typically the hottest days of the year and our poor pooches are suffering in the heat. It received the name “dog days” because astrologers determined it was the period where Sirius, the dog star, is the brightest star in the sky.

I also have canines on the cranium because Monty and I are watching our neighbors’ dogs this week while they move their daughter to Nevada. Since we have temporary custody of Sarge, a yellow lab and Gracie, an English Setter for the week, we’re reminded of the joy and occasional challenge (if only Gracie would not try to jump through our picture window when she sees a squirrel!) that dogs give us.

I have said repeatedly that there is a reason d-o-g is G-o-d spelled backwards, because there isn’t a better example for us of unconditional love than these beloved creatures. But our furry canine friends weren’t highly thought of, trust me, our ancestors from the Bible would be absolutely befuddled by the fact that in the US alone we spend over $158 billion dollars annually on our pets.

In the Bible, the term dog is generally used as a derogatory term for your enemy or some other type of insult. Scripture does not paint our furry friends in a favorable light. However, the public image of the pooch has clearly transformed over the centuries. Martin Luther was a well-known dog-lover as you can see by the quote I cited above.

He referenced his beloved dog Tölpel (German for klutz or blockhead) often. His appreciation for nature and beasts was an extension of his recognition of God’s wonderful creation, and how even the most insignificant things hold value in the eyes of God. Luther observed and used Tölpel (who he also called by his nickname “Clownie”) as an example for we humans to conduct ourselves in the way Jesus asks us to.

Some of Luther’s other quotes regarding his dog are these comforting and reassuring words in response to whether dogs and other creatures go to heaven. (Though keep in mind none of us knows what heaven is like, only that it surpasses anything in our wildest imaginations, even Luther’s!):
“Be thou comforted, little dog; thou too in Resurrection shall have a little golden tail.”

Asked about the restoration of all things and whether there would be dogs and other animals in that kingdom, he said: “Certainly there will be, for Peter calls that day the time of the restitution of all things. Then, as is clearly said elsewhere, he will create a new heaven and a new earth. He will also create new Clownies with skin of gold and hair of pearls. There and then God will be all in all. No animal will eat any other. Snakes and toads and other beasts which are poisonous on account of original sin will then be not only innocuous but even pleasing and nice to play with. Why is it that we cannot believe that all things will happen as the Bible says, even in this article of the resurrection? Original sin is at fault.”

"Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he
has no thought, wish, or hope."

There is so much we can learn by observing God’s creation and behaviors of other species that God puts in our midst. Perhaps our goal as Christians and a Christian community should be to take some cues from our pooches, to not simply pray with focus and attentiveness, but to pay attention to the needs of our neighbors and all creations so we might pray and steward to all in our midst. To love unconditionally in the same way our pets do, and to be assured of the promise of the Resurrection through Christ’s death and resurrection in the same way Luther so confidently assures his beloved Clownie.

Monty and I continue to pray for all of you, hoping that you are enjoying the close of summer and noticing appreciating all of wonderful aspects of creation God gave us to enjoy (including dogs!) May we all follow our pups lead in humbling ourselves in loving up creation and one another in the way Jesus asks us to. May your spiritual tails wag knowing that you are God’s beloved child, so beloved you are given the gift greater than anything that comes in a box from Chewy or anywhere else, the gift of eternal life through Christ.

God's peace to you and all you hold dear,

Pastor Julie