- Mar 17, 2015
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If God desired the end of slavery, he could just end slavery (he never did). Failing that, he could make clear in the Bible that he disapproves and that we should stop it (he never did). Failing that, his earthly representation as Jesus could make it clear that he disapproves (he never did). Failing that, one of the epistle writers could make clear that he disapproves so the Bible could say at least something against slavery (no one ever did). Exodus and Leviticus have extensive lists of laws that ban all sorts of behavior, everything from murder, adultery, incest, rape, inappropriate behavior with animals....why not slavery too?
"If God desired the end of slavery, he could just end slavery..."
Think carefully on it, since slavery is against the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12, then the question in general form really is this one:
"If God desired the end of evil actions, he could just end evil actions...."
Well, of course, we learn over and over in the Old Testament (OT), and new (NT), that indeed He will, and that meanwhile we are being watched and warned, individually, about the ultimate end of evil that He's carefully and repeatedly given us choices about, that we turn before it's too late for us, as individuals.
It is true the incremental nature of the progression of Law in the OT is like steps, up a stairway, to a more and more advanced change in human society.
Servitude gets more and more regulated, even to the extent servants can simply end an obligation at any moment, without any fear, which is close to making the servitude just mere employment. And for outright slaves, more and more regulation, that increasingly constricts.
Until....
"he could make clear in the Bible that he disapproves and that we should stop it (he never did). "
Ah, you might want to be more skeptical of your own knowledge on this one (in general this is good advice for every person, all the time). For instance, not only the many regulations that limit and control that non-indentured slavery in the OT, but also the revolutionary changes becoming evident in the NT, not just Philemon, itself radical (making the servant not only equal, but radically more equal than modern Americans often are in reality), but the real implication of putting Philemon together with Matthew 7:12, where the only qualifier is flatly "In everything" meaning without any exceptions at all, ever....is too radical for the average American today, but it's the command to Christians.
Experience teaches us when we think at some point some broad unqualified characterization such as yours (seeming so reasonable...), it's always a very good moment to stop and at wonder: "hmmm...I wonder if I got that right or might there be other regulations/laws/instructions that radially alter the situation to be sharply unlike my characterization?"
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