New book from Oxford fellow explores animal spirituality

Animal Pneumatology – A Systematic Theological Inquiry into the Spirit’s Work in Non-Human Creatures is written by Daniela Rizzo, a lecturer in systematic theology at Alphacrucis University College in Australia and a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics.

The book presents a theological framework where animals are seen as participants in creation, cosmic worship and God’s redemptive work in the world.

Elizabeth A. Johnson, distinguished professor of theology emerita at Fordham University, said: “What a beautiful, enlightening book.

“Laced with biblical, theological, ethical and scientific insights, its exploration into the relationship between the Spirit and animals is positively eye-opening.

“Knowledgeable about today’s debates, Rizzo imbues the discussion with unusual warmth and keenness due to her own participation in the Pentecostal tradition.”

Animal Pneumatology is the publication of Rizzo’s PhD thesis completed at Alphacrucis College.

Her research was recognised with both the President’s Doctoral Research Medal and the Ross Winchester Award for Pentecostal Studies.

Professor Johnson described the book as ‘a genuinely original must-read’, adding: “There is simply nothing else like it.”

Mark Wallace, James Hormel professor of social justice at Swarthmore College in the US, also praised the work.

He said: “In this book Rizzo breaks exciting new ground.

“Here God and Earth, divinity and animality, revelation and carnal existence are one.

“Challenging the conventional Christian dualism between Creator and creation, Rizzo envisions the natural world as enlivened by the Spirit in its solidarity with all the vulnerable and suffering denizens of Mother Earth.”

Animal pneumatology, the book’s central theme, refers to the theological study of the Holy Spirit’s relationship with non-human creatures.

While animal theology has been advanced by thinkers such as Andrew Linzey and David Clough, Rizzo’s work is the first to systematically bring pneumatology into sustained conversation with animal life.

Animal Pneumatology takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on biblical studies, systematic theology, animal studies and contemporary discussions of animal sentience and creaturely life.

Each chapter examines a different theological theme in relation to animals, including creation, predation, redemption, eschatology and creaturely communication.

Rizzo argues for a theology in which the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity extend beyond humanity to include all sentient creation.

The book also aims to challenge anthropocentric assumptions in theology and ethics, engaging ecumenically across Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox and broader Protestant traditions.

Animal Pneumatology is now available through Springer and Amazon.

The book is published in hardback, EPUB and PDF formats.