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An atheist asked: \u201cHow can killing an animal cancel human sin? Why would a good God set up such a scheme?\u201d<\/p>\n
First of all, I\u2019ll dispose of the implication (\u201cgood God\u201d) that it\u2019s intrinsically wrong to kill an animal from the outset. I\u2019m unaware of a vegetarian entrance requirement among atheists, so as not to \u201cmurder\u201d animals and commit the sin of eating a Big Mac or a Whopper. Until that happens, I\u2019ll take a pass on dealing with the attempted swipe at God, from one such atheist (and from any non-vegetarian). After all, conditions in almost all slaughterhouses or other preparatory facilities for animals who are to be killed for human food, are infinitely worse than the instant killings of the Old Testament sacrificial system.<\/p>\n
But to get back to theology: It\u2019s not that animal blood has intrinsic magical or curative properties. It\u2019s simply the symbolism that God ordained: to show human beings the seriousness of sin (which brought about the killing of innocent animals \u2014 there is nothing more \u2018innocent\u201d than a lamb \u2014 in order to atone). The writer of Hebrews expressly\u00a0denied<\/em>\u00a0that the old covenant system of animal sacrifice actually took away sins:<\/p>\n Hebrews 10:1-4, 11<\/strong>\u00a0For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near.\u00a0[2] Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin.\u00a0[3] But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year.\u00a0[4]\u00a0For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins<\/span>.\u00a0. . . [11]\u00a0And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same\u00a0sacrifices, which can never take away sins<\/span>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Even in the Old Testament, there are many indications that the sacrificial system was to be abolished, and was never the most important thing: righteousness and obedience to God\u2019s commands were that:<\/p>\n Proverbs 15:8\u00a0<\/strong>The\u00a0sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD<\/span>,\u00a0but the prayer of the upright is his delight.<\/p>\n Amos 5:12, 14, 21-24<\/strong>\u00a0For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins \u2014 you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. . . . [14] Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said . . . [21] I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. [22]\u00a0Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept them, and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts I will not look upon<\/span>. [23] Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. [24] But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Jesus reflected these thoughts in the New Testament:<\/p>\n Matthew 9:13<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cGo and learn what this means, \u2018I desire mercy, and not sacrifice\u2019. . . .\u201d (cf. 12:7)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n He was citing the Hebrew Bible:<\/p>\n Hosea 6:6<\/strong>\u00a0For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,\u00a0the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In other words, if and when the Israelites were rebellious against God and His laws and wicked, their sacrifices (far from being \u201cmagic\u201d) meant absolutely nothing to God, and accomplished nothing. This is a constant motif in the Old Testament. The law, including these animal sacrifices, was never intended from the beginning to save men. Grace and faith in God; Jesus\u2019 redemption accomplished that. Hence, Paul writes:<\/p>\n