Sunday, March 16

Slavery acknowledged and abolished ultimately by Christianity

From here, in response to doubt about what the Scriptures say regarding slavery.
The spread of the Christian religion resulted in the abolition of Slavery as a global institution (it exists still under Islam).

The belief that all people have a Divine right to Liberty is powerfully expressed in the words of the American Declaration of Independence:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
God is not indifferent to the injustice of slavery. His word makes it clear that His intention for Man has always been Liberty:
-God created the first man and woman free.

-His Commandments protect an individual's life, reputation, and property.

-He came down to save His people from slavery in Egypt.

-The Mosaic Law recognized the ubiquitous and permanent nature of the "peculiar institution" and legislates to ameliorate its effects.

-The New Testament urges respect and dignity among fellow Christians, reminding the enslaved believer that he is truly free and the free believer that he is Christ's slave.

-Believers are to be content in whatever their circumstances at the time of their conversion (even if in slavery, for the goal of the Christian life is to bear witness to the Son of God; millions of slaves in armed rebellion would have done little to promote the Gospel).

-They are urged to gain their freedom, if possible.

-And though speaking of the greater freedom from sin, death, and the devil, we are told, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
Those who seek to justify slavery from the Biblical texts must misrepresent them to do so.