In Harrisburg, PA, a billboard was raised in one of the most diverse neighborhoods which featured an African slave with the biblical quote, “Slaves, obey your masters. It lasted less than a day before someone tore it down. The atheists behind the sign said they were trying to draw attention to the state House's recent designation of 2012 as "The Year of the Bible" -- an action by lawmakers that the atheists have called offensive.
Atheists as well as many others including some so called Christians use the Bible to justify many controversial things which have been argued about for years. Since God nor God's Word need to be defended, I do not plan to try to defend God or God's Word. However, I would like to explore the question, Does the Bible Justify Slavery? I welcome thoughts and ideas relating to the topic.
Genesis 9:24-27states, 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers. ”26 He also said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. 27 May God extend Japheth’s territory; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be the slave of Japheth.”
Also in Colossians 3:22 it states,
Colossians 3:22
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
There are many other scripture that deals with this topic as well;
Deuteronomy 15:12-15
Ephesians 6:9
Colossians 4:1
Proverbs 12:24
http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/index.php?search=slave&version1=NIV&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no&startnumber=1
If I am correct, some people believe that Ham, the father of Canaan was dark skin or eventually went to Africa where blacks are believed to come from. (Look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_Ham) Shem was believed to be white by some or to have gone to Europe where white/Caucasians are believed to come from. (Look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shem) I am not going to get in that debate but I welcome anyone to share their research and thoughts on the matter. As a result of many people reading Genesis 9:24-27 and believing that Canaan was dark and Shem was white, they believe that slavery is and was justified.
Slavery is define;
1. (Law) the state or condition of being a slave; a civil relationship whereby one person has absolute power over another and controls his life, liberty, and fortune
2. the subjection of a person to another person, esp in being forced into work
3. the condition of being subject to some influence or habit
4. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) work done in harsh conditions for low pay
Now for most, people agree that slavery is unwanted especially if people are treated harshly. However, for some, slavery is welcomed and wanted. Regardless of whether or not it is wanted or unwanted, does the Bible justify it is what I wish to examine.
Slavery and a people or nations being subject to another is not a rare occurrence in the Bible. The people of God, the Israelites were permitted to have slaves but not slaves of their own fellow Israelites. Reference Leviticus 25:39, 42, 44, and 46 to get more information. If God allowed slavery within his own people, how then could it be wrong? Was slavery thought of and define the same as it is now?
Below is a website that attempts to explore the different types of slavery within the Bible.
http://bibleapologetics.wordpress.com/category/slavery/
Below is scripture that I think relates to the topic of slavery.
Luke 10:7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house
Proverbs 11: 1 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.
Acts 10: 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Luke 4:8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him
The mistreatment or unfairness of anyone I do not think is condoned by the Bible. As Proverbs 11:1 states, the Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but delights in accurate weights and within Luke 10:7 it is stated that a worker deserves his wages. John 15:12 Jesus states, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Jesus although Lord, washed the feet of His disciples. Reference John 13:1-17. Jesus being God in the flesh, love us and came to save many from death. Jesus humbled himself for the world. How much more should we humble ourselves for each other? Forcing another to serve us for our own selfish gain is not justified within the Bible from how I see it. Love our God with all of our heart, soul and mind is our greatest commandment. Love our neighbor as ourselves is the second. Reference Matthew 22:37-40. I do see how being subject to force labor is justified through these two commands.
Many use bits and pieces of the Bible to push a belief or notion of what is right/moral or wrong/immoral. Although I think various scripture can be used for good, I think it also can be used to misrepresent the truth. Various writers of the Bible including Jesus referenced scripture/the Word when talking with people. However, Satan also misused some pieces of scripture in an attempt to persuade and influence many. As a result, we should do the following;
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:10-20)
1 Timothy 1:8-10 states,
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the 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, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
Does the Bible justify slavery? In my view it does not. Does anyone have any thoughts or input?
A view from the web
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-slavery.html
Reference Scripture in Billboard
Ephesians 6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. 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.
