Bible Discussion Thread

does the Bible support slavery?

The best book in scripture on the subject is Philemon; probably also the most ignored one. It narrates the situation of an escaped slave; who Paul sent back to his master; but also urged the master to show grace toward him as it appeared he and the slave were both believers. There seems to be little to go on as to the reasons the slave escaped in the first place. Nonetheless; it illustrates what other verses do on the subject of submission to masters; as well as masters not being too overbearing.

The other comments here mention the working out of debts. It should be noted that it indeed IS a very common occurrence today. I am aware of ministries in Pakistan that recently helped brick kiln slaves to have debts paid off to be released; and am aware that the same thing has gone on in India. This circumvents a nation's rule against slavery quite often; by keeping people in perpetual bondage by never giving them enough to pay off their debt. In ancient times; there were basically two standards; those who had Hebrew slaves (who were as others here mentioned set free in the seventh year); and those taken by war who would be in a permanent state of servitude. Nonetheless; there were certain rules as to wives and how people were to be treated; as well as the rule that one cold have an awl put a hole in their ear if they chose to remain permanently with their masters.

There is a fundamental difference as well that seems to contrast Israel's practices and those of our nation's slave trade. Namely; once a land was conquered in Israel people were taken as slaves. In our past; we had others (often through Muslim profiteers) go into the jungles and savannah of Africa which we had little or no national jurisdiction over and bring them overseas. The exception would be in the West Indies which were colonized much earlier. In short; no rule overturns slavery in the Bible. True saints like Paul suffered in like manner as Christ's bondservant.

Humbly I request, what happened to the separation of Church and State?

Richard my brother in Christ, all humans are a product of their belife system. As within so without. Although I don't agree with you, I do know that God had mercy on Saul who had persecuted Christians before he came into a new understanding. I pray that God will be merciful with you as he was with Saul. I will now leave this discussion to go and pray for all of us. Remember this, the United States is one nation under GOD. Man is not God! Let us start there before we make a power grab.

which is the correct translation for exodus 21:2 - "If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing." is it servant or slave? some translations say slave while KJV and some others say servant.

Just from memory, I don't think the Israelites were allowed to make slaves of other Israelites , I'm pretty sure they had to pay each other wages , which means they would be payed servants , even if they were only paid low wages or part of their wages went on supplying food and lodgings , living in , they were still servants not slaves , it's seems they could hire themselves out for a period , a bit like an employment contract , I will work for you for six years for this amount of remuneration and after six years the contract was up for the negotiation . This is just what I can remember without looking it up . Hope I haven't confused the issue smiley face .

The Bible acknowledges that slavery has existed for almost all recorded history. It still exists in many countries today. The passage on submitting to others in Ephesians 5 and 6 includes, "Slaves be obedient to your masters... With sincerity of heart as to Christ." Indeed, all Christians are "Bondslaves" to Christ. Slavery is Christian in every way. Not that we should make others our slaves, but that he who is the greatest among us is the slave of all. Mat. 20:27 we exist to serve our Master, our Lord, and to serve all others. Is slavery taught in the Bible. Most definitely. All Christians exist to figure out and do the will of their Master, and to serve all others till the day we die. Indeed, for Christians, being slaves, and creating more of them who willingly dedicate themselves to serving our Lird and Master is commanded.

Hello, you wrote "Is slavery taught in the Bible. Most definitely."

Slavery isn't taught in the Bible. The Bible doesn't say anyone should have slaves. It is a sin to harm others.

Are you talking about real slavery or only as a metaphor for submitting to God?

Hello, no it doesn't. Slavery was a world problem and still is today. Today slaves- sometimes children- are even allowed to be trafficked into the US and the administration actually removed part of the border wall to make this easier for criminals to enter.

Some assume the Bible condones it because it has verses addressing slaves to be respectful of others. Colossians 4:1. This applies to everyone of course.

There is another angle on this: in the Bible days some voluntarily became "slaves" in order to pay off debt. Voluntarily doing work is closer to a job than slavery in my opinion, but I believe some call it that. If its 100% against someone's will then I think its slavery, but if someone voluntarily chooses something even if they perceive to not have many choices, then it it's a job. Some worked years for men in order to gain rights to marry a man's daughter, for instance.

This verse suggests that is someone is caught trafficking slaves to put them to death: Exodus 21:16. Other Bible verses like love your neighbor as yourself refute the myth that the Bible supports slavery. The message of Christianity is freedom, not slavery. The truth is true, regardless of what the evil world claims or thinks. Some will prefer the lie, because its more attractive to them. Lots of myths would be cleared up if people just read through the Bible.