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by Falon Barton (Editor), Blair Parke (Editor), John Mark Hicks (Foreword by)
Do animals just keep us company, or could they draw us closer to God? What if the animals who share your life are not distractions from spiritual formation, but participants in it? This book invites you to nurture the God-human-animal bond as a place where the Spirit is already at work.
The Holy Link of the God-Human-Animal Bond: Reimagining our Stories to Include Animals presents a theological perspective that sees human relationships with animals as sacred places where God's presence can be experienced. Cooper shares personal stories of dogs, a mouse in a combat zone, birds, cats, and her therapy donkey, Winston. Then, she introduces the God-human-animal bond (the GHAB(TM)), a triadic relationship among God, humans, and animals.
Featuring a foreword by theologian John Mark Hicks, this book situates our relationships with animals within God's steadfast love for all creatures (Psalm 36:6). Hicks commends Cooper's work as "a rich and passionate theological invitation to love God's creation" and to see our shared life with animals as a gift.
Cooper suggests that the Holy Spirit acts as the "Holy Link" in this triadic bond and challenges traditional human-centered frameworks that often overlook animals and creation. Through her work as a chaplain and Pet Partners therapy donkey, Winston, she shows how shared moments with animals can become powerful reminders of God's love and the broader missio Dei (mission of God).
