Christians and Hunting
I always wondered what the Bible says about hunting being a Christian myself and owning a game farm and outfitter company. I also went through a stage were hunting any animal not just for meat was normal and would always find somebody who bought the meat or just give it to the family. The past couple of years hunting were only done for trophy mounts and specific species targeted to learn more about them. The final mount was just an extension to the hunt, but the real trophy will always be in my heart. One of the first things I learned as a hunter is that if you don’t show respect for a animal after you hunted and killed it, then you must rather consider to stop hunting.
From an outfitter and hunters point of view God created animals for our benefit and to rule over them in a respectful manner. The foreign clients are not allowed to take the meat with him, but we found that the real hunters visiting our country always want to eat and sample as much possible of the animals they hunted. We always prepare the fresh meat for them and the rest are used for the camp staff to give them a food source throughout the year. With big hunting groups the extra meat that we can’t utilize gets sold to the local butcher at a price much less than any other meat source like beef, lamb or chicken. We also donate a certain amount for the local community on an organized basis. This in return enables the less fortunate people in Africa to get a protein supplementary at a more affordable price. So, from a Christian point of view the meat are used for the purpose intended, to use it as a food source where needed and the foreign client just collects the bill. From a management point of view the animals hunted by foreign trophy hunters pay the way for other animals to be protected for future generations and to make sure from a conservation point that the numbers work for everybody. This circle is surely what God intended for us to utilize and conserve the animals in a respectful and sustainable manner in modern times where it is not possible for the animals to roam freely everywhere.
The following text from an external writer gives his thoughts on this subject;
Question: “What does the Bible say about Christians hunting animals for sport?”
Answer: The closest reference to sport hunting is Proverbs 12:27, “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession” (NKJV). So whatever view one takes on sport hunting, it is good and right for the hunted animal to be eaten, not just killed for a trophy. The sport hunting was not a common practice in Bible times. The reason for this is the fact that man hunted for food. In order to put food on the table you either had to grow it, hunt it, and in some cases buy or trade for it. Furs were used for clothing or sold in order to purchase things, and in many cases the furs of animals were currency. For early Americans, this was the case. You simply did not sport hunt in those days. It is hard to make a sport out of something you did everyday.
Today is a lot different. Hunting is simply not done as a way of life in western countries, with few exceptions. Markets are readily available and civilized cultures have currency. Sport hunting has evolved simply because man has always hunted, and it is in his nature. Scripture does not indicate either way whether it is ok or not ok to hunt animals for fun or sport, nor does it indicate a principle that would assume it is a sin or ungodly practice. In Genesis we read that animals were created for the benefit of man. Adam was given the pleasure of naming them and they were there for his enjoyment, help, and later on as a source of food.
At the beginning of creation, animals mainly served as helpers and enjoyment and not food because Adam and animals alike were vegetarians (Genesis 1:29-30). Note also that man was to rule over the earth and subdue it. The earth and all that it had were meant to serve the needs of man. It wasn’t until after the fall of man in Genesis 3 did meat becomes a source of food for both animals and man. Since the animals and the plants of the earth were put under the control of man, God gave the responsibility to man to learn and to use them to his pleasure. That is why animals in research are acceptable, because they are meant to be used instead of humans. Animals do not have the same form of eternal soul, and likely do not experience an afterlife. This does not mean that we can be cruel and intend evil towards them. We need to be careful in sport hunting so we don’t make it our consumption or do it illegally.
Sport hunting has it purposes also, although different by far in meaning. Conservationists would all agree that sport hunting is valuable in keeping the population of some animals in check. There is nothing biblically wrong with it; however, it is also an issue that each person must decide for themselves. It is under the liberty of Christians to do it or to not do it. If you do not feel comfortable with it, then search out why that is and abstain from it.
At World to Africa Hunting we started church planting projects in conjunction with Better Life Ministries and will soon offer hunting safaris and photographic safaris through this Ministry. A certain amount of these funds will go towards assisting Assemblies in need throughout Africa to build churches and start job and food creation programs. The meat that stays behind when a foreign hunter leaves will go towards this programs and be utilized for a great purpose.
We believe that no politician or leader can create a Better Life for people in Africa without the Lord playing a part in the process. The hearts of people must be changed in a family structure and the stability and guidance can only be found in the House of the Lord. This will in return ensure that future leaders in Africa grew up in a home with Godly principals and this can play a big part to bringing stability to our beautiful country.
If you have any opinion about this subject please leave a comment below.
Recent Comments