CAT AND DOG THEOLOGY

2015 New Year Picture with Tashi and Rabbit

Daniel and I love cats.  We currently have five cats at home.  They are named Tashijimaro (or Tashi, the only male cat), Yani, Usagi (or Rabbit), Maru, and Panda.  Having cats at home reminds me of the Cat and Dog Theology of Christianity.  I've read a few literature on the subject but it is really different if you experience this first hand.  I will share with you some things I learned from our cats and relate them to our Christian lives.

The first thing I learned from our cats is the nature of wanting "reckless adventure".  All of our cats want to venture outdoors where it is dangerous.  We allow our cats to go outside our house but only until within our gates.  The reason why we don't want them to go beyond our gates is the dangerous nature of the outside world.  I have read somewhere that stray cats or cats that usually stay outdoors have a maximum lifespan of two years (on the average).  There is the danger of other animals.  These stray animals might be sick and infect our cats.  Or these stray animals might attack and hurt our cats.  There is also the danger of people.  Some people who do not like cats might hurt them.  There is also the danger of cars.  They might get run over.  There is also the danger of eating dirty, contaminated food which can poison them.  The truth is, there is no need for our cats to go outside the house.  They have everything they need at home.  So why do our cats have this urge to run away and venture outside our gates? Well, I think it's because of the fact that cats are hunters by nature.  It's more like a cat's instinct.  And how about us Christians?  We do the exact same thing.  The gate or walls around the house represents God's protective will.  God wants us to stay within His will because it is dangerous to stay "outside" of it.  And yet, there are times that we want to venture outside of it to "check" and "see" what's out there, which often results to our getting hurt, not only physically, but spiritually, as well.

An old picture outside our house with Rabbit.

The second thing I learned from our cats is the nature of selfishness.  Cats are known for their being aloof, and our cats are just like that.  They want to be left alone most of the time.  Our cat named Rabbit (Usagi) would even run away when I start rubbing her head.  It's like she's telling me to leave her alone.  They would usually come near us or call us when they need something; that is, if they are hungry or thirsty.  Our cats would meow loudly or rub their bodies against our legs and ask for food.  And, quite surprisingly, when it's hot, our cats would actually meow and "ask" us to turn on the fan and they would sleep right in front it.  Us Christians also do this sometimes.  We only come near to God when we want something from him.  During happy times, we would even forget to pray and read our Bibles.  In fact, we would disregard God.  But when problems or needs arise, we pray nonstop.  Thankfully, God did not strike us dead (not yet, at least) with our kind of attitude.  He still continues to shower us with His grace - something we do not deserve.

Lastly, I learned the nature of self-centeredness from our cats. I've read a few literature on the cat and dog theology (and I hope you do, too, because it is really interesting). Dogs say, "You feed me, you shelter me, you take of me, You must be God." Cats say, "You feed me, you shelter me, you take care of me, I must be god." This is just the kind of attitude our cats have. As most cat lovers know, cats think that they are the kings of the household and that their owners are their "humans". Some Christians think this way, too - that God is existing for them. Take note, however, that with or without us, God can exist. Our existence does not take away or add anything to God's deity. He is absolutely independent of us. "All that God is, He always was. All that God is and always was, He always will be. You can't offer anything that will enhance Him, nor can you take away anything that will detract from Him." (See Atcs 17:22-25). Truth is, we are the ones who badly need God. Without Him, we are nothing.

Thanks to our cats for teaching us something valuable. :)

Tashi and Rabbit