The Gnostalgia Podcast Talking to Animals
Dec 19, 2025
Explore the fascinating intersection of saints and animals, where holy figures once communicated with the natural world. The hosts delve into Scripture and medieval thoughts, revealing how conversations with animals symbolized harmony lost in modernity. They discuss ethical hunting, highlight St. Francis's radical love for creation, and emphasize the need to reclaim our sensitivity to the divine speech found in nature. Plus, thoughts on dogs' roles and the importance of outdoor connection add a pastoral touch to this intriguing journey.
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The Scope That Changed A Hunter
- Sebastian recounts learning moral responsibility only after looking through a rifle scope at a living animal.
- He says this immediacy forced him to avoid causing suffering and rethink his relation to animals.
Animals As Divine Ministers
- Mark describes Christ being ministered to by angels and wild beasts in the desert, implying a pre-fall harmony between humans and creation.
- Sebastian interprets this as the created order acting as divine language that can be restored through holiness and grace.
Extinction As Angelic Loss
- Stratford Caldecott's idea: species reflect angelic ideas, so extinguishing species is metaphysically serious.
- Sebastian argues ecology must be theological, not framed solely by materialist presuppositions.