ABSTRACT
This chapter engages with Boff’s Jesus Christ Liberator. It engages with the first two methodological questions, about what consideration he gives to animals and what, if any, of his theology could help the development of animal theology. Sadly, in Jesus Christ Liberator the work of Christ is only considered in relation to humanity. Boff does not consider the status of animals, or indeed the significance of creation, anywhere in this volume. The first part of this chapter outlines three areas in which this is most evident: redemption, resurrection, and the kingdom. The tragedy is that his anthropocentrism leads to a limited Christology, and therefore to a reduced concept of God. The second part of this chapter highlights three areas in which his theology could easily include creation and animals. Namely, the idea of incarnation as a “being-for-others,” coupled with his concern for the periphery, and his call to interpret Jesus contextually. Together these aspects could provide the groundwork for a more inclusive Christology that takes into account the place of other creatures. These ideas will be developed in relation to animals in Chapter 7.
