Date
8-6-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (MA)
Chair
Jonathan Pruitt
Keywords
animal suffering, Gerasene swine, Gerasene pigs, Azazel, Asael, demons, demon, demoniac, Gadarene, rebel angel theodicy, rebel angel theodicies, exorcism, Legion, Mark, Mark 5:1-20, animal interests, animal rights, problem of evil, 2nd Temple supernatural worldview, cosmic geography, watchers traditions, fallen angels, Satan hypothesis, 2000 pigs, Demeter, Korē, rituals, ritual, Atonement, purification, impurity, unclean, evil spirits, underworld, polytheism, pagan idols, apologetics, natural evil, scapegoat, animal afterlife, Jesus, Gospels, animal mistreatment, animal cruelty, theodicy
Disciplines
Christianity | Philosophy
Recommended Citation
Gossett, Michael Joseph, "Pigs for the Dispossessed Goat Demon: Jesus’ Exorcism in Mark 5 and Animal Interest" (2025). Masters Theses. 1359.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1359
Abstract
This thesis explores how a historical-literal reading of Mark 5:1-20 can be defended against objections that claim Jesus caused or allowed unnecessary animal suffering. Contextual insights gleaned from 2nd Temple Watchers Traditions and Greco-Roman polytheism illuminate plausible symbolic value present in the deaths of the Gerasene swine. The context of Mark 5:1-20 presents a supernatural conflict compatible with Christian theology and rebel angel theodicies. Jesus’ actions concerning the Gerasene pigs are not necessarily unjustifiable examples of animal mistreatment.
