Expert: Leisha Hiester - 2/23/2011

Question
This was very helpful! Thank you very much!
I have chosen to list the advantages and disadvantages of using fur clothing, for the advantages I have:
-warmth in cold climates
-you can recycle real fur into other clothes
-good money for trade
-good money for designers

Is there any way in which I could link these to Christianity? For the disadvantages I have pointed out that a lot of animals are killed for just one fur coat and I have linked them into why the bible disagrees with it. But it is very hard trying to find a Christian view/teaching that agrees with using fur for clothing.

Again, many thanks!

Answer
Dear Danielle,

Let's take a look again at Genesis 9:1-4;

God gave man the animals so that he could prosper. He needed warm clothing. Their fur taught us how to have warm, fuzzy outer garments for warmth and protection against the elements. Yes, their fur gets recycled by nature too. One example is a birds nest. If you examine it you will see recycling at its best. There is often animal fur lining it for warmth and comfort. Absolutely, God wants his people to be blessed. He said, the animals were given into man's hand in verse 2.

Consider even when the law was given in the Old Testament. Of course, much of it is ceremonial, but much of it is still binding on us today too. In Leviticus, God mentions the wearing of clothes mixed with linen and wool. Wool came from the sheep! Sure hope this helps. :) Leisha

Leviticus 19:19

19 "Keep my decrees.

  "Don't mate two different kinds of animals.

  "Don't plant your fields with two kinds of seed.

  "Don't wear clothes woven of two kinds of material.