11th commandment?

[Ray K]

Originally posted by LouisBooth
*sigh* you really don't understand anything in the bible do you ray? Try letting your mind out of the box you've created around it will ya? [/B]

*sigh* Louis, I just don't have a compelling need to rationalize slavery in any form simply because it's in a particular book.

The Bible is very clear about equating slaves with property and assigning a money value to them. It even suggests that slaves can be "branded".

I am not in a "box". I recognize evil when I see it, regardless of the supposedly divine nature of the source. There is not a "special" kind of slavery that's OK simply because it is described in the Bible.

It's all wrong, and I'm sorry that you are so blinded by your God-belief that you cannot accept that.

Do you think it would be acceptable if we reinstutionalized slavery according to Biblical standards?

 

[E-beth]

First of all, slavery was a social problem, not an issue that deals with one's relationship with God.

Secondly, no one here, Christian or not, said they thought slavery is OK.

Thirdly, I am sure that if God had wanted the slavery thing in the ten commandments, it would have been popular, since the Israelites had just gotten out of slavery themselves.

It seems to me, however, that slavery is one of those social issues that has been dealt with in history and politics. For example, why would God want to make a commandment for this day and age saying "Thou shalt not use credit cards." People do it 'cause it is acceptable in our society, and doing so does not affect our salvation at all.

I think Jesus said all we need to know when He stated the two commandments: Love God, love each other. That sums up all the ten and then some.

 

[Ray K]

Originally posted by E-beth
First of all, slavery was a social problem, not an issue that deals with one's relationship with God.

I disagree. Slavery strikes at the fundamental core of the "Golden Rule", which means it is directly against the teachings of Jesus. Since Jesus=God, that means slavery should be a direct affront to God.


Secondly, no one here, Christian or not, said they thought slavery is OK.


True, but there is some serious rationalizatoin of Biblical slavery going on, as if it were somehow exempt from criticism.


Thirdly, I am sure that if God had wanted the slavery thing in the ten commandments, it would have been popular, since the Israelites had just gotten out of slavery themselves.


Maybe it's not in there because the Ten Commandments were written by the Jews, not God, and they didn't want to say "Thou shalt not own slaves" because it meant that they would have to give up their slaves. That would make sense, wouldn't it? Especially since there are instead rules about protecting the property value of slaves.


It seems to me, however, that slavery is one of those social issues that has been dealt with in history and politics. For example, why would God want to make a commandment for this day and age saying "Thou shalt not use credit cards." People do it 'cause it is acceptable in our society, and doing so does not affect our salvation at all.


Slaves are not credit cards, they are HUMAN BEINGS!!!!


I think Jesus said all we need to know when He stated the two commandments: Love God, love each other. That sums up all the ten and then some.

So was Jesus against slavery? What do you think?

 

[E-beth]

I think that Jesus was all about loving people. What he personally would have felt about slavery, is, in my opinion, a question of what people felt and did at the time.

I do not believe in crucifixion either, but it was the Roman rule of the day and chances are I woulds screamed for a murderer's death just like everybody else did.

I think that issues like slavery should be tempered with historical bias. I do not agree with someone OWNING someone else. I think it violates the golden rule. However, it is not part of our culture so it is easy to feel that way.

And the opinion that the Jews would have written the ten commandments is too bizarre. Why would God allow us to write our own rules? And if they HAD written them, they probably wouldn't have outlawed idiols at the same time they were melting Egyptian gold to make a golden calf...

 

[LouisBooth]

"Do you think it would be acceptable if we reinstutionalized slavery according to Biblical standards?"

you mean indentured serventhood? You're too late, they do it. some doctors are put through med school by small towns with the promice they will come practice in their town. There are also work studies in college, scholarships...come to our school and play basketball and we pay for your college...that's all indentured serventhood.

 

[E-beth]

My college work study program felt more like slavery!

Good point, LB

 

[Ray K]

Originally posted by LouisBooth
"Do you think it would be acceptable if we reinstutionalized slavery according to Biblical standards?"

you mean indentured serventhood? You're too late, they do it. some doctors are put through med school by small towns with the promice they will come practice in their town. There are also work studies in college, scholarships...come to our school and play basketball and we pay for your college...that's all indentured serventhood.

LOL! Keep trying to shoehorn Biblical slavery into something acceptable!

"Indentured servanthood" has little in common with Biblical slavery.

Are you saying that small-town doctors have to remain indentured servants if their wives have kids? That they can be beaten by their "owners" without recourse?

That if they are killed, their owner is monetarily compensated?

Look, if you want to deny what is literally written in Exodus 21, that is your business. I think that the book speaks for itself, and definitely treats slaves as property.

 

[LouisBooth]

""Indentured servanthood" has little in common with Biblical slavery. "

Ummm..If you think that then you haven't studied enough. That's what it was about.

As for the other issues, I've already clarified them for you. If you refuse my reasons, that's fine, just don't say there aren't any, thats just putting your head in the sand.

 

[armothe]

What people don't seem to realize is that the Ten Commandments were for the Hebrews. The Egyptians were not bound by them, nor the Babylonians.
So, an "anti-slavery" law would have only been for the Hebrews.

Since Christ came, we saw the disassembling of The Law and Christ gave us 2 new commandments:

Love the Lord thy God with all of they heart, sould and mind.

Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Now, I agree that the Ten Commandments can still be used as a guide for moral living, but it is no longer authoritative.

-A

 

[LouisBooth]

"Since Christ came, we saw the disassembling of The Law and Christ gave us 2 new commandments: "

I would disagree since Christ himself said he did not come to abolish the law, just to fufill it. According also to Paul when he quotes the OT in romans all are unrightous and have sinned, This sin is in accordance to breaking the law, so yes all peoples are under it. I wouldn't say just the 10 commandmnets though...the law (in my opinon) quite simply is obeying God.

 

[seebs]

The old law was the covenant; salvation for obedience to the law. We couldn't fulfill it - so Christ did. The law *has been fulfilled*. We're done. Now we're under Christ, not the law. Paul is pretty clear about this in multiple places.

 

[LouisBooth]

Yup, that's true, so the law is now a guide for us, not a condmener...It is like guidelines to live by. Not to be strictly adhered to but to be read and understood in light of Christ.