Wipf & Stock publishes A Snarl Theology!
John Francis Pearring Jr. authored Snarl, a novel—the premise for A Snarl Theology.
A Snarl Theology calls God a merciful creator, a big-picture divinity, bigger than anything imaginable. Scripture confirms that in the restoration of the world and all its environs, there will be a settlement between God and his creatures. A covenant to set animals and us back as we were meant to be.
"I will make a covenant for them on that day, with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with the things that crawl on the ground." (Hosea 2:20)
Redemption is the divine act of follow-through regarding covenant—washing away our faults, defects, and foibles and taking us into the arms of the divine. Are animals rewarded with redemption, like us—with a full restoration?
To imagine that God will not reward these martyred creatures, who play a significant role in human redemption, weakens the concept and promise of paradise. Animals are sentient beyond our understanding, residents in a universe where God communicates with everyone. This animal kingdom theology implies that animals, too, hear God's voice. A Snarl Theology's hope for animals to be our redemptive allies shouldn't cancel doctrine, upset dogma, or countermand Christianity. It should increase our love of God.
Contributors:
John Francis Pearring Jr. authored Snarl, a novel—the premise for A Snarl Theology. Pearring has been a groundbreaking storage firm CEO, Catholic newspaper editor, teacher, and commercial contractor. Pearring and Joanne, his wife of forty-nine years, live in Manitou Springs, Colorado. They have raised six children and welcomed eleven grandchildren. John founded and edits the Catholic Nutshell News, a daily newsletter. He also hosts homelesscatholic.com with other bloggers from his Woodland Park, Colorado office.
John M Sorensen converted from self-ruled life to faith in Christ as a young adult; has served churches as both a Deacon and Elder; is a fan of Lewis, Tolkien, Manning, and Eldredge; is a husband, father, and grandfather, and most notably is friend and receiver of many hours of faith and thought-provoking discussion, thought and laughter with his dear friend, John F Pearring.
Reviews:
“C. S. Lewis and Tolkien were not theologians as such, but look what they did for the Christian imagination! In that spirit we have a book of Christian speculative theology by John Pearring, a journalist and fiction writer. What a treat! Read this book and allow your mind to expand with visions of how God might save the animal kingdom in eternity.”
—Ronda Chervin, emerita professor of philosophy, Holy Apostles College and Seminary
“A good discussion usually begins with a provocative question. Those who find that the questions asked in Snarl are too ambiguous, too obscure, or too camouflaged in the details of the story will find all the provocation they might want in A Snarl Theology. Let the original story ferment, and head-scratching issues will probably bubble to the top. But a more challenging approach would be to ask the author to explain himself. He does that in this companion study guide.”
—Steve Hall, retired business owner