The Bible is NOT pro-slavery. In fact I would say that the Bible is anti-slavery in 6 powerful ways: 1. The fact that there is no slavery in the ideal of humanity shown in the Creation story in Genesis 1-3. 2. The discussion about how Christian slaves should be treated as equal spiritual siblings. (Philemon 1:15-16) 3. The fact that in regard how we are "in Christ", slavery is not a factor. (Galatians 3:26-28) 4. The encouragement for slaves to gain their freedom if they are able to do so and to not become a slave. (1 Corinthians 7:21-23) Clearly, slavery must be a bad thing if you are told to try to get out of it. 5. The fact that in the New Creation described in Revelation there is no mention of people being slaves. 6. And most powerfully, the fact that the bible clearly says that being are a slave trader is ungodly and sinful. (1 Timothy 1:9-10) You could also look at all the places that God talks about slavery in negative terms in the Old Testament and how slavery was never desired or promoted. It was often something people did when they were bankrupt. They chose slavery until they had saved up enough money to buy their freedom. This was quite common and VERY different to the practise of slavery by America - which is often wrongly compared to slavery in the bible. Consider this passage from the Old Testament and what it teaches about how to think about the issue of slavery in the ancient world: "If any of your people---Hebrew men or women---sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today." (Deuteronomy 15:12-15)
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 00:23:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015