What rights, if any, do animals have? What right, if any, do humans have to interfere with them? What should be done, for example, about the hedgehogs introduced into the Outer Hebrides, now they are wiping out the wading bird population? Conservationists and animal rights campaigners find themselves in conflict over such issues, with little in common.

Dave Bookless, director of A Rocha UK, visited Christ Church, Abingdon to tackle the subject. He found in his preparation that the Bible has a lot to say on it, and impressed us by the depth of the teaching. He identified two traditions. There is the utilitarian tradition, in which animals are there simply for our use, and the stewardship tradition, in which they have value in themselves (as does the whole of creation). His preparation led him firmly into the second camp, along with, for example, Francis of Assisi, the Celtic saints, and the evangelical social reformers who saw support for the RSPCA as part of their calling. The real foundation of utilitarianism is natural philosophy, without reference to God.

What are the Biblical foundations? God blessed all the creatures he had made, and repeatedly uses them in Scripture to teach people about himself. Each species can tell us something unique about God. He used Noah to rescue the animals in the flood, and afterward his blessing and covenant applied to all creation. The curse of the Fall is also on all creation, and in Romans 8 it is all creation that is groaning as in birthpangs. In Hosea 4, because of the peoples' evil behaviour, the land mourns and the creatures are dying. In the Law, animals are protected - for example, they too have to rest on the Sabbath. In Colossians 1, they are included in his redemptive purpose,

What is the difference between animals and humans? Both were made on the sixth day of creation, both made out of dust. We are interdependent, but humans were made in God's image. We were given dominion over animals - a much misunderstood word, unfortunately, as the true meaning includes serving. As we carry it out, we show that image of God, so how well we do it really matters. The tasks laid on Adam - working, serving, taking care of - are

It's important to get the theology right, but it still has to be worked out in practical ways. Should we be vegetarians? Jesus was not, but the new creation will be. Is hunting OK, or is it an "antigospel of predation" (Andrew Linzey)? Animals were hunted in the Bible, as well as eaten, but with a sense of reverence, so there are laws such as draining out the blood. They were not objects of sport, and they are more than just food - which has implications for the choices that we make in the supermarket. What about animal experiments, and genetic engineering? A hot topic in Oxford, but it is difficult to give a clear conclusion because so much depends on the motives. Then there are the conservation issues - the hedgehog example at the beginning is one of many. We can expect more such conflicts, and at a human level they can look impossible to solve. The 'rights' approach will not produce answers - we have to learn to put Christ at the centre, rather than man or animals. He is our only source of hope. Creation belongs to him, it has an eternal purpose, and we must look to him for solutions. Do that, and we are uniquely well equipped to find them.