Slavery...

[Dennis1209]

Slavery in all its forms has been around for millennia, and America has a history of the slave trade, a selling point for the American Civil War. Some religious sects still deal in involuntary slavery and the little-publicized epidemic of human trafficking today. There are different “forms” of slavery and servitude, it seems. Forced servitude, indentured servitude, and Christian servitude (slavery).

What does the Lord have to say about slavery? Does He ignore slavery, regulate it, or reject it as a sin punishable by death? This question could also shed some light on whether America was founded as a Christian nation or developed into one and other philosophical and moral questions.

The biblical question is: Does God condone servitude (slavery), yes, no, or the form of it?

[Jayne]

Some non-believers who actively reject the Bible - both Old and New Testaments - use slavery as a justification to do so.  They will say,  "God endorses slavery in the Bible, so I refuse to believe the Bible."

They have no idea what they are talking about.  It's just an excuse to justify their wrong beliefs.

Does the Bible promote the type of slavery that existed for centuries in the New World and United States?  Or the modern sex and/or labor trafficking across the world?

Absolutely not and I can prove it with scripture.

• Old Testament Law = Exodus 21:16 - “Kidnappers must be put to death, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves."  This kidnapping and selling or keeping as slaves was the slavery of America's past and is the modern world-wide trafficking.  God abhorred it and still does.
• New Testament = 1 Timothy 1:10 - Paul says that the law has a role.  It's useful to teach certain people of their being "lawless rebellious, ungodly, sinful, unholy, and  profane" He cites five examples of these people who "reject sound teaching":  "liars, slave traders, sexually immoral, homosexuals, and murderers."  Slave traders are not right with God.  God STILL abhors what we think of as slavery.

So the question is therefore begged, what is the slavery in the Bible that is mentioned.  That's another post.

 

Edited September 3, 2022 by Jayne

[JohnR7]

33 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

The biblical question is: Does God condone servitude (slavery), yes, no, or the form of it?

First of all the longest a person can serve as a slave is 7 years. IF they are a prisoner of war, then can serve for 49 years. Slavery going from generation to generation is not Christian, it tends to be more of a Muslim practice. 

Second of all we have to be careful with the words slave and servant. Another consideration is that in a lot of cases if a person was not sold into slavery they would have died because there was no food to feed them. 

I personally do not like working for people. I would rather run my own business. Even if they treat you good, they still put a lot of the money I work for and earn in their pocket. 

I try to get rid of the middle man and deal directly with the customer. But the government can get in the way and cause a lot of problems for people. Also customers are a toss up if they are going to be difficult or easy to get along with. 

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.

Paul talks about how a slave should respect their "master".  This seems unusual to us when we consider some of the abuse people have to put up with. 

There is a LOT of discussion about this in the Bible. For example, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Then Potiphar's wife had him thrown into prison because he refused to have sex with her. 

After ALL of this: Joseph told his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) God's plans are not always our plans and it is difficult for us to understand God's plan and purpose and how He intends for all things to work together for good. 

[Deborah_]

In the Biblical world there were no social security systems. Even in those places where a strong central government existed (such as Egypt), to receive charity from the state was unimaginable; everyone expected to pay their own way through life, even if it was with their own bodies (see Genesis 47:18-20). Anyone who became bankrupt was faced with two alternatives: slavery or starvation. Prisoners of war were also enslaved – the only alternative was to kill them. Slavery in ancient times was thus the solution to certain practical problems. It was not by any stretch of the imagination a ‘good’ solution, and was always seen as a terrible fate, to be avoided at all costs (e.g. II Kings 4:1; Nehemiah 5:5). But until better options were invented, it could not be abolished without causing even worse suffering. 

The Old Testament Law was given to a Bronze Age society, and naturally reflects the realities of the time. The fact that it lays down a number of regulations for the treatment of slaves does not necessarily mean that God approves of or endorses slavery! Like divorce – which God hates (Malachi 2:16)! – certain questionable practices were permitted “because your hearts were hard.” (Mark 10:5)

https://deborahsbiblestudies.wordpress.com/indigestible-issues/slavery/slavery-in-the-bible/

 

[DPMartin]

1 hour ago, Dennis1209 said:

Slavery in all its forms has been around for millennia, and America has a history of the slave trade, a selling point for the American Civil War. Some religious sects still deal in involuntary slavery and the little-publicized epidemic of human trafficking today. There are different “forms” of slavery and servitude, it seems. Forced servitude, indentured servitude, and Christian servitude (slavery).

What does the Lord have to say about slavery? Does He ignore slavery, regulate it, or reject it as a sin punishable by death? This question could also shed some light on whether America was founded as a Christian nation or developed into one and other philosophical and moral questions.

The biblical question is: Does God condone servitude (slavery), yes, no, or the form of it?

read the torah (books of Moses) and see for yourself what the Lord has to say

[Dennis1209]

1 hour ago, DPMartin said:

read the torah (books of Moses) and see for yourself what the Lord has to say

Thanks for the education and helpful insight. I did and wanted to discuss it and compare thoughts. Enjoy your presence in my waste basket.

[missmuffet]

Does the Bible condone slavery?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

There is a tendency to look at slavery as something of the past. But it is estimated that there are today over 27 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 based more on economics; it was 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 condemns race-based slavery in that it teaches that all men are created by God and made in His image (Genesis 1:27). At the same time, the Old Testament did allow for economic-based slavery and regulated it. 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 16th to 19th centuries. 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. He will see, with Paul, that a slave can be “a brother in the Lord” (Philemon 1:16). 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.

Edited September 3, 2022 by missmuffet

[Dennis1209]

2 hours ago, Deborah_ said:

In the Biblical world there were no social security systems. Even in those places where a strong central government existed (such as Egypt), to receive charity from the state was unimaginable; everyone expected to pay their own way through life, even if it was with their own bodies (see Genesis 47:18-20). Anyone who became bankrupt was faced with two alternatives: slavery or starvation. Prisoners of war were also enslaved – the only alternative was to kill them. Slavery in ancient times was thus the solution to certain practical problems. It was not by any stretch of the imagination a ‘good’ solution, and was always seen as a terrible fate, to be avoided at all costs (e.g. II Kings 4:1; Nehemiah 5:5). But until better options were invented, it could not be abolished without causing even worse suffering. 

The Old Testament Law was given to a Bronze Age society, and naturally reflects the realities of the time. The fact that it lays down a number of regulations for the treatment of slaves does not necessarily mean that God approves of or endorses slavery! Like divorce – which God hates (Malachi 2:16)! – certain questionable practices were permitted “because your hearts were hard.” (Mark 10:5)

https://deborahsbiblestudies.wordpress.com/indigestible-issues/slavery/slavery-in-the-bible/

 

Hello Deborah,

That is basically my thoughts and interpretation, as in my notes below. I do not recall the New Covenant (New Testament) changing or amending what was established under "the Law." Do you??

NOTES: I have heard the question, does our Bible condone slavery? This seems to depend if it is voluntary or involuntary slavery (servitude). In Exodus chapter 21, and in context, it appears this only applies to voluntary servitude for debt, obligation, or survival. Slavery has been practiced for millennia, both voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary slavery is a means to pay off a debt or obligation to someone (indentured servitude). In a worst-case scenario, personal and family survival may depend on it.

Just as the Hebrews requested from Moses a bill of divorcement, and the Lord granted them their desire, against His original design and intention. It looks as though this indentured servitude is the same principle.

Exodus 21:16 makes it clear kidnapping and forcing a human involuntary to be a slave (the slave trade) is prohibited, and punishable by death.

SERVANT: 6269 I. עֶבֶד‎ (ʿě·ḇěḏ): n. masc. ; ≡ Str 5650; TWOT 1553a—1. LN 87.76–87.86 slave, bond servant, i.e., one who is owned by another for service until sold to another, or worked his way out of slavery (Ge 39:17);¹

¹ James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).

[Dennis1209]

35 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

Does the Bible condone slavery?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

There is a tendency to look at slavery as something of the past. But it is estimated that there are today over 27 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 based more on economics; it was 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 condemns race-based slavery in that it teaches that all men are created by God and made in His image (Genesis 1:27). At the same time, the Old Testament did allow for economic-based slavery and regulated it. 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 16th to 19th centuries. 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. He will see, with Paul, that a slave can be “a brother in the Lord” (Philemon 1:16). 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.

Excellent article, and I agree with it. I am familiar with the history of slavery and indentured servitude. The earliest Pilgrims that could not afford ship passage to America offered themselves and their families as indentured servants, and that practice continued through the Civil War era.

Not long ago, in historical terms, “debtor prison” was abolished. Today we have a form of indentured servitude with leans and court orders, and a judge takes the fruits of your labor involuntarily to pay off the debt and obligation.

Biblically speaking, the question I pose is, was physical indentured servitude amended, replaced, or abolished under the New Testament covenant? We are no longer under the “Law”; however, the Ten Commandments and other laws are still valid today.

[missmuffet]

4 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

Excellent article, and I agree with it. I am familiar with the history of slavery and indentured servitude. The earliest Pilgrims that could not afford ship passage to America offered themselves and their families as indentured servants, and that practice continued through the Civil War era.

Not long ago, in historical terms, “debtor prison” was abolished. Today we have a form of indentured servitude with leans and court orders, and a judge takes the fruits of your labor involuntarily to pay off the debt and obligation.

Biblically speaking, the question I pose is, was physical indentured servitude amended, replaced, or abolished under the New Testament covenant? We are no longer under the “Law”; however, the Ten Commandments and other laws are still valid today.

I am against slavery and always have been against it. If I lived in the times of the civil war I would be an abolitionist.