Posted on 06/27/2015 9:07:31 AM PDT by Salvation
Monsignor Pope Ping!
Which exact verses show a biblical approval of slavery?
I did a sunday school class on Philemon and it talks about slavery in it. But teacher’s guide said in this case slavery was more of a employer-employee relationship than actual what we know as slavery today...not a bible scholar sho it looks like how the word is used in greek or hebrew determined what slavery meant?
Slavery existed due to the hardness of man's heart.
Have you ever noticed that it’s always a non-Christian telling Christians the proper way to be a Christian?
My thinking exactly. And, the obvious answer is that it doesn't.
The Bible is more than a book on religion. It’s also a history book as well (among other things) and just because it reports things that today we find objectionable does not mean it’s condoned.
The Hebrew word “ebed”, often translated “slave” or “servant” depending on the translation, could be applied to a bondsman or a wage-laborer.
The Greek word “doulos” usually refers only to a bondsman; but in the New Testament, servants of God refer to each other by this term, even Simeon who was waiting in the temple to see the Messiah before he died (Luke 2:29).
That was the scripture I was going to quote.
With Paul sending the converted slave back to his owner, Philemon.
Exodus 21:16
16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
Does it approve of it or acknowledge it?
Since slavery still exists, it is wrong to pretend that the bible was approving of something that man has now done away with, as though we are talking of some past relic, and an outdated bible.
So far, slavery seems permanent, and the bible is still relevant.
I think Msgr. Pope is being a bit selective in his observations about slavery in the ancient world. Pure chattel slavery, extremely brutal conditions, waging of war for the sole purpose of capturing and selling non-combatants ... all that was going on.
I agree that acknowledging the existence of slavery is not at all the same as approving it, but the idea that slavery in the United States during its time period was uniquely bad compared to the rest of world history is simply incorrect.
The Bible doesn’t support slavery.
The Bible of course knows of it’s existence and is the first book to teach that slaves must be treated humanely.
First of all, slavery was NOT a biblicakl thing- it was a cultural issue- and as such God ‘allowed’ His people to keep slaves-
secondly, slavery back in biblical tiems was MUCH much different than the immoral slavery of the recent past- Slaves in the bible times were treated with respect, and had rights- slaves In recent past did NOT have rights- they were simply property
Third slavery in bible times was almost always because people OWED MONEY and were working off a debt- The only other time people were ‘taken’ as slaves was during war when a nation was captured and the people would work off their captivity and eventually be set free- they had a choice, die, or work for their captors WITH RIGHTS still afforded them
If I were you however I would not even engage in conversation with such an angry anti-Christian and just let your Christian testimony and life speak for itself- You will never ‘win’ an argument with someone hwo has it in their heart to Hate God- All you really need to say is “Look up the difference between biblical ‘slavery’ and recent history slavery and you will find out for yourself how vastly different the two were-”
Most llikely the person will refuse to do their own homework- proving that they are NOT really interested in learning the truth and are only interested in trying to make Christians look stupid
Exodus 21:16
16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death
Donna- that is exactly right- slaves In biblical times were NOT stolen against their will like the slaves of recent past were- they were people working off debts- but you will never convince someone who has hatred In their heart for God and God’s people that slavery in the biblical times was NOT the same as recent past slavery was- they are hell-bent of vilifying God and because the bible has the actual word ‘slavery’ in it- that is all the ammunition they want to use against God=- Their are simply too blinded by hate to see the actual facts
Leviticus 25:44-46
“However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way.”
[[I agree that acknowledging the existence of slavery is not at all the same as approving it, but the idea that slavery in the United States during its time period was uniquely bad compared to the rest of world history is simply incorrect.]]
The question wasn’t about ‘world slavery’ it was about biblical slavery- and like the poster above pointed out- God was the first to REQUIRE slaves to be treated humanely
“secondly, slavery back in biblical tiems was MUCH much different than the immoral slavery of the recent past- Slaves in the bible times were treated with respect, and had rights- slaves In recent past did NOT have rights- they were simply property”
Where do you get that idea? Slavery in the roman period was, in the main, very harsh bondage. Why do you think there were so many bloody slave revolts across the roman empire?
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