Does The Bible Condone Slavery?

[Doc]

There is a tendency to look at slavery as something of the past. But it is estimated that there are today over 12 million people in the world who are subject to slavery: forced labor, sex trade, inheritable property, etc. As those who have been redeemed from the slavery of sin, followers of Jesus Christ should be the foremost champions of ending human slavery in the world today. The question arises, though, why does the Bible not speak out strongly against slavery? Why does the Bible, in fact, seem to support the practice of human slavery?

The Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of slavery. It gives instructions on how slaves should be treated (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1), but does not outlaw slavery altogether. Many see this as the Bible condoning all forms of slavery. What many fail to understand is that slavery in biblical times was very different from the slavery that was practiced in the past few centuries in many parts of the world. The slavery in the Bible was not based exclusively on race. People were not enslaved because of their nationality or the color of their skin. In Bible times, slavery was more a matter of social status. People sold themselves as slaves when they could not pay their debts or provide for their families. In New Testament times, sometimes doctors, lawyers, and even politicians were slaves of someone else. Some people actually chose to be slaves so as to have all their needs provided for by their masters.

The slavery of the past few centuries was often based exclusively on skin color. In the United States, many black people were considered slaves because of their nationality; many slave owners truly believed black people to be inferior human beings. The Bible most definitely does condemn race-based slavery. Consider the slavery the Hebrews experienced when they were in Egypt. The Hebrews were slaves, not by choice, but because they were Hebrews (Exodus 13:14). The plagues God poured out on Egypt demonstrate how God feels about racial slavery (Exodus 7-11). So, yes, the Bible does condemn some forms of slavery. At the same time, the Bible does seem to allow for other forms. The key issue is that the slavery the Bible allowed for in no way resembled the racial slavery that plagued our world in the past few centuries.

In addition, both the Old and New Testaments condemn the practice of “man-stealing” which is what happened in Africa in the 19th century. Africans were rounded up by slave-hunters, who sold them to slave-traders, who brought them to the New World to work on plantations and farms. This practice is abhorrent to God. In fact, the penalty for such a crime in the Mosaic Law was death: “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death” (Exodus 21:16). Similarly, in the New Testament, slave-traders are listed among those who are “ungodly and sinful” and are in the same category as those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers, adulterers and perverts, and liars and perjurers (1 Timothy 1:8-10).

Another crucial point is that the purpose of the Bible is to point the way to salvation, not to reform society. The Bible often approaches issues from the inside out. If a person experiences the love, mercy, and grace of God by receiving His salvation, God will reform his soul, changing the way he thinks and acts. A person who has experienced God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, as God reforms his soul, will realize that enslaving another human being is wrong. A person who has truly experienced God’s grace will in turn be gracious towards others. That would be the Bible’s prescription for ending slavery.

 

[Mark C]

The short answer is that what He ordains as "service" or "bondservitude" is NOT equivalent what the world calls "slavery" -- which is why so many Amerikans fall for it. But, as William Penn wrote almost four centuries ago, "those who will be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

I've been teaching a lot on this topic of late - both in a Torah session last Shabbat, on my weekly radio show yesterday, and in this recent article, published several places, including here:

"All slavery is not equal!"
http://markniwot.com/?p=326


The audio teachings are here (in the "Come out of her" series). The most recent (August 28) should be posted soon. (probably number 31)

http://www.waytozion.org/conspireality/Misc/mark30.mp3

 

[Dr. K.R. Allen]

Doc,

Interesting thoughts there.

I believe you're on target with the idea that slavery comes in different types and forms.

For example, in Romans Paul said we are either a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness in Christ. The beloved Dr. Martin Luther once said that our will is like a horse. It is ridden by either the devil or by God. Though not in my library i think that was from work on the bondage of the will.

The real issue is a person's service voluntary or involuntary. That is what makes it sinful or holy.

Many theologians today look at the Greek word "doulos" and when examining its etymology and the linguistics surrounding this word and have come to see/translate the word as "servant" or even in some cases "employee." This makes sense in many contexts because whenever a person voluntarily gives himself to any other authority that person is a "slave" or a "servant" of that entity. People already trade their energy, time, and intellect to employers for something in return. This is slavery BUT it is a volunteer slavery, not involuntary slavery that is condemned by God.

The whole concept comes down to that one issue: the matter of the heart. If one is forced, like our beloved African Americans were so terribly treated by being forced into involuntary actions by others (how wretched it is), then it is defiled before God. But if a person or people on their own chooses to give themselves to some other entity voluntarily then that is a good type of slavery, or rather better termed servanthood.

We see this concept also in the kingdom of God. Despite the debate over the compatibilist free-will view and the libertarian view of free-will, which is not of importance here, both sides agree that a man must by his own will choose to submit to Jesus Christ by his/her own choice. Yet when they do this Paul clearly states they are a slave of righteousness and of Christ at that point.

So we can't rule out the idea of slavery or better termed servanthood as that indeed glorifies the Lord and is a key concept to what it means to be under the headship of Christ. Without the doctrineof servanthood you have men and women living in anarchy, a product of the sinfulness of the heart and of the fall. Anarchy is the exact opposite of slavery. Slavery stands on the side of authoritarianism and dictatorial rule and anarchy stands on the other end of the spectrum of every man for himself.

Thanks be unto the Lord he showed us a righteous path to follow.

As your article displayed, involuntary slavery is evil and is to be rejected and fought against. It would be like a business coming to one's door and by force demanding that individual to come work for the business or else be physically punished. But an obedient servanthood chosen by our free-will is much different than slavery.