Seeking Verses from a Knowledgeable Christian

[Rehjae]

Recently, I had found myself in a discussion where the validity of slavery in the bible came up. Now normally I would abstain from conversation from liberal heathens (and indeed quickly withdrew myself when all was clear) but it sparked me into seeking out the pro-slavery bible verses myself.

However, whenever possible I prefer to learn directly from the mouths of my fellow Christians and since my favorite pastor is away this week on a special mission, I felt the good Christians of LBC were the natural choice.

Could someone share with me the aforementioned verses so I can present them directly to this ignorant liberal in hopes of enlightening him?

God bless and thanks!

[Pastor Billy-Reuben]

Re: Seeking Verses from a Knowledgeable Christian

Why would you want to read the Bible like that? You should not just cherry-pick verses here and there. You are supposed to read, believe, and obey every bit of the Bible.

We have a Bible in a Year forum here. We already into Job now, but it is never too late to get started. You'll eventually find all the verses that have to do with slavery, and you might even get saved while you're at it.

For what it's worth, there aren't any "pro-slavery" verses that command folks to own slaves. There also aren't any "anti-slavery" verses that come right out and say that slavery is wrong. There are only laws concerning how hard you can beat your slaves, when a slave should be set free, who can become a slave, and so on.

Pastor Billy-Reuben

[Larry Lee]

Re: Seeking Verses from a Knowledgeable Christian

For what it's worth, there aren't any "pro-slavery" verses that command folks to own slaves. There also aren't any "anti-slavery" verses that come right out and say that slavery is wrong. There are only laws concerning how hard you can beat your slaves, when a slave should be set free, who can become a slave, and so on.

Pastor Billy-Reuben

Not to mention the New Testament instructions for slaves to obey their masters, which seems like good advice to me.

[Larry Lee]

Re: Seeking Verses from a Knowledgeable Christian

Actually, the word translated as "Servant" in the KJV1611 is often mistranslated as "Slave" in other, less trustworthy translations of God's Word.

Furthermore, to fully understand the Biblical view on servants, you have to keep Paul's attitude towards servanthood at the forefront of your thinking. This is how Paul opens his Epistle to the Romans:

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1).

Paul knew his place, that he was a "slave" to Jesus. We should all aspire to that level of True Christianity(tm).

Slavery then, is the most ennobling condition that anyone can hope for.

[WilliamJenningsBryan]

Re: Seeking Verses from a Knowledgeable Christian

Actually, the word translated as "Servant" in the KJV1611 is often mistranslated as "Slave" in other, less trustworthy translations of God's Word.

Furthermore, to fully understand the Biblical view on servants, you have to keep Paul's attitude towards servanthood at the forefront of your thinking. This is how Paul opens his Epistle to the Romans:

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1).

Paul knew his place, that he was a "slave" to Jesus. We should all aspire to that level of True Christianity™.

Slavery then, is the most ennobling condition that anyone can hope for.

Those are truly inspiring words, Brother Lee. To the unsaved it might seem that we have a choice in the matter and that we voluntarily accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, so why call it "slavery". God calls us all to His Will, he made us and thereby owns us. Adam and Eve disobeyed Him and we inherit their original sin. We do have a choice, accept the Word of God and Salvation though Jesus Christ or forever live in the Lake of Fire. This is not really that difficult a choice to make – turn you life over to Jesus.

Amen.