Why Christian Apologists Love Rabbits

19 Mar. 2015

Introduction

Back in the early 2010s, my family had a rabbit. His name was Tavy, named after the nickname of my grandpa.

Now, this rabbit was white, and as cute as could be, well, for as fat as he was.

But Christian apologists have more reasons to love rabbits than just the reason that some of them have them as pets. And even the knowledge of a sort of Lagomorph Valhalla (Japan’s Rabbit Island) should not necessarily be adequate as a reason for apologists to rejoice at the thought of rabbits. (Admittedly, though, so much fearless cuteness is difficult to resist and a force of pathos for any argument.)

Reason #1: Rabbits as Archaeologists

Christian apologists have long loved archaeology for its evidences that it has provided to substantiate various details in the Bible and thus lend credibility to Christianity.

However, in my research on archaeology, I came across a peculiar article citing a beloved creature helping out in a charming way. Although this does not immediately concern Bible-related findings, the suggestion that a family of rabbits actually assisted archaeologists admittedly brings a smile to one’s face.

According to The Independent, a British newspaper, “Archaeologists said that the animals had uncovered arrow heads, flint tools and hide scrapers dating back to the Neolithic Age.”

Well, I suppose we all knew those paws were good for something, eh?

Team leader Dean Paton was quoted as saying, “It seems important people have been buried here for thousands of years – probably because of the stunning views. It’s a million-to-one chance rabbits should make such an astounding find.” The rabbits had dug two different burrows next to each other, exposing the artifacts.

Later, the rabbits returned to briefly investigate the archaeological dig there. So these “archaeobunnies” give even Christian apologists a smile, reminding us that .

Reason #2: Lagomorphic Refection

The second reason is a bit more complex. In an online debate discussion I had several years back, someone on the atheist end of the debate actually corrected a different atheist concerning the credibility of a particular Bible passage. To my mild surprise, this atheist actually defended the credibility of that particular passage, and in the process, I learned about lagomorphic refection.

And guess what? The passage is in Leviticus. Yes, the Bible Book after Exodus in English Bibles.

Leviticus 11:6 as well as other passages refer to the hare, a lagomorph, as actually bringing up its own food.

Fortunately, however, even at the time, there were a few who knew about lagomorphic refection. One was someone very well acquainted with rabbit care. The other, was J. P. Holding (Tekton). For his article on the topic, check here. Since then many more have become aware of the topic of lagomorphic refection. Since the topic is thoroughly addressed elsewhere, I will not go through a full discourse here.

Nevertheless, the Bible also mentions another creature which practices refection. Although some translations have considered hyrax and coney, another interesting creature, the “pika,” is not out of the running as a candidate for such a creature. After all, both the rabbit/hare and pika practice refection. Actually, I’d probably prefer the “pika” as a translation for the Hebrew word. It makes sense in all given contexts in Scripture to translate it that way (e.g., Proverbs 30:25-26, Psalm 104:18, Leviticus 11:5, and Deuteronomy 14:7). Moreover, its presence very well may have covered part of the Middle East, but I digress.

So, then why again should Christian apologists love the rabbit? Well, from a biological perspective, the Bible is correct (though somewhat vague) concerning the issue of rabbit behavior. All this despite the clamor of skeptics.

Skeptic Objections

Of course, TEKTON is not the most well known Christian apologetics ministry. AiG (Answers in Genesis) has also picked up the issue; early on, opponents fired back against AiG, making some notable mentions. However, as the argument stands now, it is pretty much on the side of Bible-believers, despite what are (especially for today’s audiences) misleading Bible translations.

No, rabbits are not ruminants. They don’t have bovine stomachs. And interestingly enough, the Bible does not say that lagomorphs of any variety actually chew the cecotropes. The verb refers to a process of causing to ascend, which would refer to the process of the particle traveling through the lagomorph’s digestive system. So there is no error there either.

Reason #3: C. S. Lewis

Okay, so this one is a bit of a stretch. But C. S. Lewis is known for his “Man or Rabbit?” piece. And InspiringPhilosophy has done a video on it. In other words, the rabbit is a traditional part of Christian apologetics symbolism. And yeah, it’s C. S. Lewis. So, rock on. Like it or lump it.

Reason #4: Classical Symbolism

It appears that rabbits and hares, through their behavior, give us a model of a particular mentality for the sinner. As some commentators have concluded, the early church fathers had a similar view of the symbolism of the rabbit. The sinner, like a rabbit, hides in or by a rock.

So then, why would Christian apologists love the rabbit, again?

Remind me why the Christian should love the sinner, and I’ll tell you your answer.**

Recommended References:

Albrecht Classen, ed. Laughter in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Times. Berlin, Germany: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., 2010, page 553.

Antonia Molloy. “Rabbits Unearth a Trove of New Stone Age Treasure at Land’s End.” 3 Feb. 2014. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/rabbits-unearth-a-trove-of-new-stone-age-treasure-at-lands-end-9104207.html. Accessed 19 Dec. 2014. Web.

BioMedia Associates. “Rockin’ Rabbit – Rocky Mountain Pika, Ochontona princeps.” 2013. https://www.ebiomedia.com/rockin-rabbit-rocky-mountain-pika-ochontona-princeps.html. Accessed 19 Mar. 2015. Web.

Dana Krempels. “The Mystery of Rabbit Poop.” http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html. Accessed 19 Mar. 2015. Web.

John Stear. “Answers in Genesis Needs to ‘Chew the Cud’ Again.” NoAnswersinGenesis. 16 May 2005. http://www.noanswersingenesis.org.au/aig_rabbits_cud.htm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2015. Web.

TEKTON. “Is the Bible Wrong about Hares Chewing the Cud?” http://www.tektonics.org/af/cudchewers.php. Accessed 19 Mar. 2015. Web.

End Note:

**There is a sense in which one can use symbolism to further Christian philosophy. In this sense, a sort of cultural apologetics can make use of the rabbit-human paradigm of symbolism. Demonstrating love towards a rabbit could therefore be seen, within the proper explanation or context, as a parallel for love towards the sinner.

And of course, we cannot forget that, well, if sinners are rabbits, then we are all rabbits, for we are all sinners. Seen in this light, to love a rabbit is to love one’s fellow man.