How does the Bible prohibit slavery?

[freespiritchurch]

I was asked to start another thread. I would be curious to know how the people who have been insisting that they follow the literal teaching of the New Testament as their justification for prohibiting women from speaking in public argue against slavery. As you interpret Scripture, what justification is there for abolition?

I'm a historian, and I've read the pre-Civil War arguments against abolition in some detail. They make all the same points that have been made in the "Female 'Pastors'" thread.

 

[eoe]

The bible does not prohibit slavery as far as I know. In fact there are some places where runaway slaves are told to return to their masters.

 

[TheOddTrumpet]

The passaages about slavery were a result of the culture at the time. As were the passages about women not being allowed to be leaders in the church. They don't apply to us today. That's my oponin.

 

[Augustine_Was_Calvinist]

I was asked to start another thread. I would be curious to know how the people who have been insisting that they follow the literal teaching of the New Testament as their justification for prohibiting women from speaking in public argue against slavery. As you interpret Scripture, what justification is there for abolition?

I'm a historian, and I've read the pre-Civil War arguments against abolition in some detail. They make all the same points that have been made in the "Female 'Pastors'" thread.

For starters, the premise of this OP is flawed to begin with, and amounts to a strawman argument, by setting up the strawman of people, who are "unnamed" by the way, whom are said to assert a "justification for prohibiting women from speaking in public", which is not the assertion made on the thread that the author of this OP was suggested he move his statement to a new OP for the purpose of discussion of slavery.

The assertions made on the other thread were not that women could not speak in public, but was in reality assertions that women could not hold the ordained positions of pastor, elder and deacon within the Church.

Therefore, since the premise of the OP is a false premise, a strawman argument and a mischaracterization of what was actually asserted on the other thread, then the premise and subsequent conclusions are therefore false.

 

[Catholic Dude]

The bible does not prohibit slavery as far as I know. In fact there are some places where runaway slaves are told to return to their masters.

In fact there is a NT book written about that

 

[JimfromOhio]

Slavery is wrong from a "human point of view". I am sure God do not like slavery however He never forbid slavery in the Word of God. The Bible have alot of positive and negative attributes of "Slavery". We were slaves to sin as Jesus said in John 8:34 "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." Paul wrote in Romans 7:14 "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin." (Romans 6:20: When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.) And now we are slaves to God (Romans 6:22: But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.)

Its amazing how we can "picture" slavery and we can see how bad slavery can be in negative (sin) and how good slavey can be in positive (Christ).

Biblically, it is very interesting that Scriptures never "forbid" slavery because I believe that God want us to understand what "slavery" really means. God also have rules how Masters should treat their slaves. Those who experienced in this kind of trials would fully understand this.

God rescued people from slavery. The Scriptures mentioned 13 times to remind people that God:
Exodus 20:2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Deuteronomy 5:6 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Submission to Slave-Owner: 1 Timothy 6:1
All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Slave Owners to respect their slaves: Ephesians 6:9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Colossians 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Example of Christians freedom from slave of sin: Galatians 4:3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Philemon 1:16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

Slave-Trader is a "sin": 1 Timothy 1:9-11 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

We are God's slaves: 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

 

[cygnusx1]

The bible does not prohibit slavery as far as I know. In fact there are some places where runaway slaves are told to return to their masters.

true , yet Paul says if a slave can gain his freedom it is a BETTER thing.
(that was perhaps the feeling that lead to the abolition of slavery)

 

[Leah]

Why is this even an issue????

 

[cygnusx1]

Why is this even an issue????

are you unaware of todays slavery

 

[tulc]

Multiple wives also. Not forbidden except to bishops and deacons.
tulc(thinks our culture influences our view of scripture more then we think)

 

[f.o.o.t.man]

I was asked to start another thread. I would be curious to know how the people who have been insisting that they follow the literal teaching of the New Testament as their justification for prohibiting women from speaking in public argue against slavery. As you interpret Scripture, what justification is there for abolition?

I'm a historian, and I've read the pre-Civil War arguments against abolition in some detail. They make all the same points that have been made in the "Female 'Pastors'" thread.

Personally, I am against the abuse in the slavery that occurred here in the United States. Other forms of slavery were really not that bad. Sure you were another person's property but usually you and your family were paid for and there were chances to earn your freedom. I guess if it came right down to it I would have to say that I am anti-slavery. However, that is only my personal opinion. I do not base that on Scripture, just my personal convictions. I have examined the Bible for verses that speak against slavery but I have not found any that are clearly against it. Everything I find goes back to the two greatest commandments "Love the Lord your God" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." I believe that slavery can be done with love but I certainly don't think it should make a comeback in the U.S. any time soon.

 

[thereselittleflower]

There are two kinds of slavery . .. Slavery for just cause, and unjust slavery.

The scriptures support slavery for just cause. They do not support unjust slavery.

We have slavery for just cause today in our western culture . . . it is called prison.

These are people who have been deprived of their liberty for just cause, and they are required to work for the good of society, so you see them doing things such as roadside cleanup, etc.

But whether slavery is just or unjust, we see Paul telling us that whatever state we are in when we come to Christ, we should not seek to extracate ourselves from it. At the same time, we see Paul counseling the slave owner to set his slave free.


Peace

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the reason women are to keep silent in church really means that they cannot hold a position of authority over any man (male) which a pastor does. They can however teach and speak in an instructive capacity such as bible study or practical life lessons, womans clubs, etc. This sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Wigglesworth]

The manner in which slavery existed in the USA is different than the manner approved by God in Scripture. American slaves were Africans who were kidnapped and sold to men who owned them for life, unless the master decided to free them.

Not to make a definitive statement, but generally, slavery approved by God involved a man selling himself to pay debts who would be set free after a number of years. It was not lifetime servitude unless the slave chose it to be so. These rules applied particularly to slaves who were fellow Hebrews.

 

[Chemnitz]

Slavery itself is not prohibited, but trafficking in human beings is:

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. - 1 Tim. 1:8-11

The word translated "enslavers" in the ESV there is given as "menstealers" in the KJV which is much closer to the original. It refers to people who have made a business of capturing and selling people. This would cover many involved in the European enslavement of African and South American peoples.

In ancient times people sometimes went into slavery to dissolve a debt, sometimes they were born to slave families. It was common from wealthy Roman citizens to manumit or free their slaves in their wills.

Slaves in the ancient world were often highly skilled people such as teachers and physicians though the vast majority were agricultural laborers. They were subject to physical abuse but it seems that it was only rarely in actual evidence.

Another significant difference between the kind of slavery Paul is talking about and slavery as we've known it is that ancient slavery was pretty well devoid of any racial element, indeed, the majority of slaves were white people owned by white people...

For what it's worth.

 

[tall73]

Referenced before, so posting it:

1Co 7:21 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.
1Co 7:22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
1Co 7:23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.


A significant proportion of the Roman population were slaves. Paul couldn't change all that. But as was noted, much of this was indebted servitude. He makes it plain that people should not serve men as they are called to be God's servants.

This same principle is seen in Philemon where he appeals for Onesimus. He doesn't force Philemon, but he sure works him over! One of the reasons he gives is the service that he can be.

 

[tulc]

Found this:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/sla_bibl1.htm
looked interesting.
tulc( )