The Truth Is
The Bible gets the easiest moral question that humanity has ever faced wrong. Slavery!
The Bible contains not one mention of God’s desire to end slavery. Out of all the “thou shalt nots” and multitude of rules that he provides for us; out of all the chapters that God spends giving us intricate directions for making candles, tents, and temples; and out of all the chapters that God inspires the authors to spend on telling us who begat whom; not once does he ever take the time to abolish, admonish, or reject slavery.
Because God is omniscient, he knew a time would arrive when the results of his silence would include the capture, torture, castration, dehumanization, and/or murder of tens of millions of Africans around the world. Even with his unlimited knowledge, God still neglects to spend two seconds of his infinite time to ensure that we have his documented denouncement of slavery.
Here are ten passages from the Bible that clearly demonstrate God’s position on slavery:
From the most worstest to the worst
Exodus 21:7
‘If a man sells his daughter as a slave she will not leave (after six years) as male slaves do.
If she does not please her master who intended her for himself he must let her be bought back.
Can it get any worse than this? A man sells his daughter to be a slave knowing full well that she will be raped but she had better enjoy the rape and be good in bed or else the “father” will have to give the rapist his money back.
Here, in these separate passages, God describes how to become a slave for life, and shows that it is completely acceptable to separate slaves from their families. God also shows that he completely endorses the branding of slaves through mutilation.
‘But if the slave says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family, and is well off with you…
then you must take an awl and drive it through the slave’s ear and into the door. He will be your servant forever.Exodus 21:2
“Take an awl and drive it through the slave’s ear“.
That sounds about right. Note it’s because it’s because he loves you and your family. Not because he loves his own family. “Family values” hadn’t quite entered the lexicon yet.
‘When you purchase a Hebrew slave, his service will last for six years.’
In the seventh year he will leave a free man. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and children will belong to the master, and he will depart alone”Deuteronomy 15:16
Wonderful, wonderful loving God, treats his Jews right… except those who are sold into slavery. After six years, HEBREW slaves leave but only if they forsake their five year old son.
The above passages are the worst amoral passages possible. It doesn’t get worse but it doesn’t get much better either.
‘If someone beats his slave and the slave dies at his hands he shall certainly be avenged…’
But should the slave survive for one day or two he will pay no penalty because the slave is his owner’s property. Exodus 21:20
So, it’s OK to beat your slaves, so long as they survive a day or two. Just don’t beat them so bad that they die instantly.
If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull must be stoned.
Not only does God condone slavery, but here God places a value on slaves — 30 shekels of silver.Exodus 21:32
Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.Leviticus Chapter 25, verse 44:
Here God states where you may purchase your slaves, and clearly specifies that slaves are property to be bought, sold and handed down.
AND NOW… YOU CHRISTIANS CANNOT EXCUSE SLAVERY AS AN OLD TESTAMENT THING.
Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.Luke, Chapter 7, verse 2:
Here Jesus shows that he is completely comfortable with the concept of slavery. Jesus heals the slave without any thought of freeing the slave or admonishing the slave’s owner. Read that phrase again… nonsense. Jesus is impressed by the centurion who bosses people around.
Colossians, chapter 3, verse 22:
Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, work heartily…
Here God shows that he is in complete acceptance of a slave’s position, and encourages slaves to work hard. This sentiment is repeated in
Titus, chapter 2 verse 9:
Bid slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to be refractory, nor to pilfer, but to show entire and true fidelity.
Luke 12:46-47
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luke 17:7-9
But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
1 Corinthians 7:21-22
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
Ephesians 6:5
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
Colossians 3:22
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ.
Colossians 4:1
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
1 Timothy 6:1-5
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise … he is proud, knowing nothing…. From such withdraw thyself.
Titus 2:9-10
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
1 Peter 2:18
Did God mean it?
Many Christians will try to argue that God does not intend for us to keep slaves today. That simply is not true. As you can see, both Jesus and the New Testament are strong advocates of slavery.
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever.” In the twenty first century, God and the Bible fully intend for us to have slaves.
If God actually had anything to do with the Bible, then the eleventh commandment would be, “Thou shalt not enslave.”
But wait….here’s more from the Old Testament
Genesis 9:25-27
And he [Noah] said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Genesis 16:8-9
And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Genesis 17:12-13
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised.
Genesis 24:35-36
And the LORD hath blessed my master [Abraham] greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
Genesis 26:12-14
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants.
Exodus 12:44
But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
Exodus 20:17
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Exodus 21:2-6
If thou buy a Hebrew servant….
Exodus 21:7
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant….
Exodus 21:20-21
If a man smite his servant or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall be surely punished; notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money.
Exodus 21:26-27
And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake. And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.
Exodus 21:32
If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver.
Exodus 22:2-3
If a thief … have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Leviticus 19:20
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
Leviticus 22:11
If the priest buy any soul with his money….
Leviticus 25:39
And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee….
Leviticus 25:44-46
Thy bond-men and thy bond-maids which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you: of them shall ye buy bond-men and bond-maids. Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land. And they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession, they shall be your bond-man forever.
Deuteronomy 5:21
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Deuteronomy 15:12
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman be sold unto thee….
Deuteronomy 20:10-11
When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
Deuteronomy 20:14
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself.
Joshua 9:23
Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
In the Old Testament, God condoned and gave instructions for the ownership of men and women as “servants”. Jesus and the New Testament did nothing to utterly reject the concept of servitude, but instead, encouraged “servants” to obey their masters. Today we use the word “slave” to represent those who are bought and sold, i.e. “owned” .
- here is the passage, that in 127 words, defines God’s rules for slavery:
- Lev.25:44-46
- Thy bond-men and thy bond-maids which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you: of them shall ye buy bond-men and bond-maids. Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land. And they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession, they shall be your bond-man forever.
This passage from Leviticus leaves no doubt that:
- What ever phrase is used to describe them, i.e. bond-men, servant, hand-made, they are chattel; i.e. bought and sold; i.e. slaves.
- Slaves are not to be of your kind but heathens.
- You may take the children of strangers and sell them.
- Slaves so obtained become property that can be inherited.
There is no other word for a human that is bought and sold and inherited other than slave, regardless of the word used in the Bible. It is clear that the position of servant is not one equal employed to help another. It is clear that the “servant” is one who is at the lowest end of the social scale and who is totally at the mercy of the one to whom he is enslaved.
Lest there be any doubt that God condoned slavery, these passages will remove it.
We know that there are passages, primarily in the New Testament that appear to condemn slavery, but the passages condoning slavery outnumber those condemning slavery 3 to 1. More importantly, why should there be ANY passages that support slavery in a book purported to be the word of a loving God? There should be no need to have a discussion over whether or not the bible condones slavery. If He were truly a loving God, there would be no doubt that slavery is an abomination. Why is a prohibition of slavery not one of the 10 commandments?
- Gen.9:25-27
- And he [Noah] said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. …and Canaan shall be his servant.
- Gen.17:12-13
- And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised.
- Gen.24:35-36
- And the LORD hath blessed my master [Abraham] greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
- Manservants and maidservants are classified with camels and asses… i.e. PROPERTY!
- Gen.26:12-14
- Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants. (a great store of servants represents wealth)
- Ex.12:44
- But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
- Ex.21:32
- If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; the owner shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver.
- Ex.20:17
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (don’t covet another man’s property)
- Ex.21:2-6
- If thou buy a Hebrew servant.…
- Ex.21:7
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant….
(If a man sell his daughter??? What is going on here? – please explain)
- Ex.21:20-21
- If a man smite his servant or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall be surely punished; notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money.
- Ex.22:2-3
- If a thief … have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
- Lev.19:20
- And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
- Lev.22:11
- If the priest buy any soul with his money….
- Lev.25:39
- And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee.…
- Dt.5:21
- Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (all the aforementioned belong to someone else).
- Dt.15:12
- And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman be sold unto thee…. ( there are different rules if your slave is a “brother”).
- Dt.20:10-11
- When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. (Offer peace – then make then your slaves).
- Dt.20:14
- But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself.
- Dt.15:9-10
- Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him naught; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. (If you fail to release a Jewish slave after the seventh year, you have sinned).
- Dt.23:15-16
- You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him.
- Dt.24:7
- If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die.
- Jos.9:23
- Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
- Lk.12:46-47
- The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (i.e. the “owner will either slaughter a servant, or severly beat a disobedient slave – thereby justifying the treatment of southern slaves).
- Lk.17:7-9
- But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. (Apparently no one thanked their slaves for doing those things that were commanded of them – and why should they – you don’t thank people for knowing their place; right?)
- Eph.6:5
- Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
(Don’t just do something because you were commanded to do it, but do it with a smile and a good heart, otherwise you might displease God)
The Church Of Truth™ 
Hi thankss for sharing this
Matthew 19:1-9
This verse states that numerous laws of the old testament where against Gods wishes, as such the prophets allowed it not because God did but because the peoples hearts were hard. On top of that God does not care about the arbitrary social relations and constructs we make but rather how we rebel against natural law, he does not think it is important wether you are a slave or not as long as you living for God.
1 Corinthians 7:21-22
As such the new testament does not command slaves to revolt or resort to violence but rather to show the selfless nature of christ, and if possible to gain freedom, not because it is necessary to be good but because it allowed them to return to natural law in which they were free and equal.
The state of the garden of Eden is Gods laws, everything after the fall was mankind trying to return to that standard. This is why Jesus does not encourage nor discourage slavery only the unjust treatment of people.
1 Timothy 6:1-2 and Galatians 3:28
In this verse Paul addresses the apparent hypocrisy of christians who hold slaves, however he in the same breath states that for a christian slave to become insubordinate to such a master is also bad. He then says that they should serve christian masters better because they will be treated equally under Christ. So yes it was hypocritical for christians to have slaves however it was also wrong for slaves to act in an Unchristian manner
In summary the old testament slave laws were not from God they were from man, this was due to the hardened hearts of the Israelites, the same reason why God gave them a King. The new testament does not outright condemn slavery because it saw that being kind and good to one another took precedence over social or economic relations. However it did not support slavery either and saw it as hypocritical when Christians owned slaves. As such under the christian doctrine slavery should of died out, as stated in Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Jaden,
Your assertion that the laws of the Old Testament were from man and not God does not make sense for several reasons. First, in many of the verses it is clear that the commandments came from God – it often plainly says so. For example, there are many passages saying the laws were given to Moses by God. Second, the NT says that Jesus said that not one jot or tittle of the Law and prophets would pass away, and that all were to obey them. Third, virtually every pastor I’ve ever heard has emphatically affirms these things. Certain OT commandments such as the “Ten Commandments” are held out by virtually all CHristian as central to God’s teachings, and yet are part of the “law.” So unless you are saying that they are not, or that what Jesus said was not true or from God, or that he didn’t say them, your argument is all wet. Of course, this still leaves the problem of why many NT passages seem to contradict OT passages (or each other) or why none in either the Old or New Testament clearly condemn slavery, but that’s dealt with in many other postings here.
The over 2000 year old EVIDENCE, that GOD abhors slavery is, that He sent JESUS CHRIST His only begotten, risen Holy Son to SET THE CAPTIVES FREE!
GOD allowed slavery in the old testament out of mercy towards those sinful nations bound in occultism, extreme cruel human sacrifices, perversions, selfrighteousness, hypocrisy, corruption and all sorts of lawlesness, whom He had Israel defeat and bring under His judgment, as opposed to slaughter them all and send them to hell.
God allowed slavery only under the old testament, in hopes that the slaves of those foreign nations would see God’s grace and prosperity reflecting the true intentions of the “Kingdom” of God – LOVE, so their “flesh” would be restrained and have time to observe and recognize their wrong, and in the process, make amendments and restitution for their evil ways and repent, as opposed to being killed and go to hell.
The very purpose of the new testament is to set people free – the same way as Israel was freed from their slavery in Egypt – out of the HOUSE OF BONDAGE!
In the epistles of Paul, God’s Holy Spirit set rules for those who received Jesus Christ while still being slaves, and also made it clear, that if they get the opportunity to be freed, to take it whatever that may look like (back then, some people would rather choose to remain slaves than deal with the hardships to start over from scratch – hence, the problems in Exodus, Moses had to deal with).
Whoever wrote the title of this diabolical statement is in dire need of the true Son of God – the Lord Jesus Christ and His deliverance from the power of satan and all forms of racist, nationalist, communist doctrine and social and economical frustrations, laziness, greed envy and jealousy.
GOD did not create one single human being – black or white – to be enslaved by another human being for any reason whatsoever – slavery was the consequence of the decay caused by sin!
May God have mercy on you – I’m asking you in Jesus mighty Name to repent with all your heart and believe the Word of God!
Alex, your like many apologists are making a lot of rationalizations without dealing with the most thorny problems related to Biblical passages related to slavery. You wrote: “God allowed slavery only under the old testament, in hopes that the slaves of those foreign nations would see God’s grace … ” First, how is allowing people to be bought and sold and beaten to the brink of death, without any word forbidding it, and several passages condoning it, supposed to show God’s love? It makes no sense. Second, to suggest that Jesus coming makes clear that God disapproves of slavery does not follow either, since Jesus himself made several statements suggesting that slavery was still normal and fine, and not one word to the contrary. So knock off all the santimonious comments and unfounded speculations, and try dealing more directly with the questions at hand. Sometimes it’s best just to admit you don’t have a clear or good answer, than say things that only make it seem like you don’t even understand the problem, or casually and callously dismiss it. This is more likely to turn people off than win converts.
GOOGLE: Gentiles in Halacha
GOOGLE: A REAL CASE AGAINST THE JEWS
The following is an article written by an American Jew in 1928:
By Marcus Eli Ravage
Reprinted from The Century Magazine January 1928
Greg, I would suggest you read the NDE of Dr. Ethan Alexander. He is just one of countless examples of people who have had these encounters. Lab experiments result in inconsistent delusional effects, where as a true NDE leaves a profound and life-changing effect on the recipient with consistencies and they often are able to report exactly what was going on while they were outside of their dead body, often even repeating what relatives were saying and doing while clinically dead. Dr. Alexander was completely brain dead when he had his NDE. But I guess you’re smarter than he and other’s who would bet their life on the authenticity of their encounter. Since you seem to have it all figured out where can I attend the Church of hopelessness and endless sorrows. Forgive my facetiousness and May the God of Love and hope reveal himself to your empty soul.
Tim, obviously Alexander was not brain dead when he later wrote the book, so there is no way to know he did not have his NDE while coming out of the coma rather than while “brain dead”. Also, you can’t be completely brain dead without being dead, period. And once one is truly dead, one does not come back from that (on Earth), according to the Bible itself. Moreover, a number of researchers have looked into his Alexander’s claims and found a number of discrepancies and things that conflicted with hospital records or witnesses. Alexander also believes in reincarnation which is also not Biblical. The bottom line is that all NDE accounts are subjective, and therefore inherently unverifiable.
People have been dead and have come back to life. Look into the Lazarus syndrome and know medical journals have documented it for decades. Of course, doctors take a guess at why the suddenly came back to life but they don’t really know just like you.
It’s funny you again use the bible for your spew when this very phenomenon is named after a biblical figure who was BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. The syndrome is named after Lazarus of Bethany, who – according to the New Testament of the Bible – was brought back to life by Jesus Christ 4 days after his death.
Well, there it is. I guess Man knows better than God? God, of all entities, got it wrong? Hmmm.
I personally look forward to servitude. Jesus Christ is my Master and I serve Him 24/7 without question. It fits perfectly with understanding my purpose and my station in life. I also understand that God is a RACIST…AFTERALL HE CREATED ALL THE RACES. However, we must not mistreat anyone or their race…that is reserved for God and Him alone!
Tom, you say you want to be a slave of Jesus. OK, but that’s your choice. In contrast, the slaves we are talking about including most enslaved in Biblical times, had no choice. They were bought and sold (or taken as spoils of war), as property (as several verses indicate). And the Bible says could be beaten severely, as long as they lived after a few days. So you can recite all the platitudes you want, it doesn’t change any of that, nor make it less disturbing. Why can’t you be honest and admit that the apparent Biblical condoning of slavery is a problem?
Thanks, Greg for telling me how I think…I don’t recall ever even having met you…sorry! Nonetheless, I will pray for you…not PREY!!!…HOWS THAT FOR CLEVER?
No. Tom, I didn’t tell you what to think, I raised important and relevant points and questions that merit direct answers, not evasions. You say you will pray for me. What are you going to pray for, my ability to minimize or dismiss these problems as you have? Perhaps pray for your own ability to better address the specific points I raised (or at least admit you have no real answers).
Uh…somebody’s apparently never read…I think Genesis, or he’d have remembered the Tower of Babble story. You know, where humans – who were only ONE race at the time – attempt to create a Tower tall enough to re-enter Heaven with, only for God to strike it down with Lightning. THAT’S when the races were created, as a consequence of the lightning bolt. Not by God’s intention.
The movie, Harriet, beautifully portrays the relationship between Christian owners and “slaves;’ it was family. Servants became Christians like their “owners” out of love for God and family. Tragically, the movie also highlights cruelty, abuse and hatred at the hands of white slave owners. These were not followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and, as unbelieving brutes, they viewed slaves as chattel. Harriet Tubman, whose life is the basis for the movie, was deeply devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, her Master. As the first African-American female conductor of the underground railroad to freedom from slavery, Tubman knew firsthand the difference between harsh, cruel taskmasters and The Master, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He, too became a servant, though He was God in the flesh. And Tubman continued her life of service to slaves by assisting them to freedom – a type and picture of what Jesus does for slaves of sin, self, the devil and this fallen world.
One thing we must remember and use as foundational….The Bible is written to Christians…If you are not a child of God…The Bible will be hard to understand…
When Canaan was curse .. Genesis 9:25..It was Noah who did the cursing…BECAUSE..
GOD HAD ALREADY BLESSED Noah and his three sons Genesis 9:1…..
It was good to get all these scriptures together for reference….BUT…. and I say…. good to say… NOT ONE said GOD chose a race… When Moses sister Marian and brother talked about Moses wife….God showed how HE felt about People of different race
….Marian was turn white as snow…For love of MONEY IS WHY SOME people WERE STOLEN from their countries sold and misused. . .
Actually, most of the Bible (OT) was written before Jesus even appeared on Earth. Second, to suggest that the Bible is not hard to understand for Christians is weak, since many things in the Bible are hard for honest Christians to understand, such as the very issue we are discussing (slavery). Your last comments are moot at best, since there is no basis to suggest all slaves became slaves due to “love of money,” nor any reason why that would make slavery OK.
David Cindrich; after you finish reading please leave your comments here
David, i am glad you know the bible that well. Jesus never condoned slavery. You are quoting scripture out of context, and that is open to any dangerous interpretation. Yes, i agree the old testament way was sometimes grazy. That is why Jesus came. He became a slave so that everybody that has ever lived could be free.Jesus did not come to free people from everyday troubles. He came to give you eternal life, if you accept it. Fact is even the Jews thought He came to set them free from a type of slavery, but it is a concept which they did not understand. So Jesus came because the very way of doing things in the old testament which by the way was never the plan of God, but the choice of man, could not work. Mankind needed a saviour, but it seems that very few people accepts the way He presented that very salvation. You see the bible also says for those who do not believe it is foolish, but for those who believe it is the power of God for salvation. It is everybody’s own choice at the end of the day.
Antony, you say Jesus never condoned slavery and imply only the Old Testament did. Even if just the OT talked about slavery, it would still be troubling, since it is never condemned there either, in the ten commandments or anywhere else I know of. Even more concerning, you seem to gloss over the fact that when Jesus spoke of slavery, as in Luke 12: 47-28, he never condemned it. Moreover, in many places of the New Testament slavery is only spoken of in positive or neutral terms, and I am sure you agree that the NT is in accord with Jesus’s beliefs. In view of all that, it does appear that Jesus at least tacitly condoned slavery, or at the very least, never condemned it, which to me and many others, is quite troubling.
Why would you waste any of your precious time on earth sitting in a church praying and financially supporting a myth, rather than using that time to help humanity?
We have all been lied to and brainwashed by the elders of our particular culture. No primates have any idea about how or why we are here. Humans trying to understand our creation, is like a bug trying to understand why the sky is blue. Wake up to facts and reality. Evolution is a fact. The earth is not 6000 years old. If you doubt that, go to the grand cannon and figure out how all that sediment could form in a few thousand years 😂😂😂😂. Once we get rid of these stupid monkeys aka religious people, we can unite and forget the archaic backwards doctrines of these ancient religions. Throw Jesus into the graveyard of the Gods. That’s where he belongs, with the rest of the man made myths.
*canyon
Time will tell whether you are right or wrong, but i can assure u now u are taking a big, massive risk. Jesus is real and is God…..evolution is the the believe that everything came out of nothing, and this nothing became something, and just perfectly created the earth, plants,oceans, humans and everything. That sounds more ridiculous than believing that God created everything. But you John have it all figured out it seems. So you are your own God,with your limited resources,or maybe you are going to live forever, and bounce back into the nothing that you evolved from?I am always astonished with the evolutionists, what a ridiculous theory.Good luck John, hope you change your mind…. .
It’s a good thing I believe in an omnirpesent, omnipotent, omnificent, and benevolent god which has always been. A god that transcends that which they create. A god that has created electromagnetism, gravity, matter, and time from nothingness.
Anyone that believes in empirical evidence gathered through the scientific method is clearly beneath my superior faith and their ideas are ridiculous. I sure hope they become as intelligent as I am for believing without skepticism and ignoring glaring contradictions of the word of god.
The word of god is truth. The bible is the word of god. The bible is truth. If anyone challenges the bible or proves it incorrect, then we’ll simply interpret the word of god differently until it becomes truth. You can’t prove we’re wrong, so we must be right!
I pray that Creator believes in slavery. I have served and continue to be His slave and He is worshiped by me as my MASTER!I am Tom Golden-Bear…His Blessed and Favored slave!!!
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Antony, You seem to have a very simplistic view of evolution, First of all, evolution does not assume everything came from nothing, and biological evolution specifically deals with the changes of life forms on earth over time. Those changes are well established by the fossil record, genetics, population biology, and other disciplines, and does not necessarily exclude God working or creating in transcendent ways through evolution. Moreover, the vast majority of scientists, including most Christian ones, accept the abundant and diverse evidence that life evolved. Do you even know what natural selection is or how it operates? So while making your usual sarcastic comments about others claiming to have everything figured out, let me encourage you to do more reading and study on this topic–and not just from a one-sided, young-earth creationist (YEC) viewpoint, before calling others’ views ridiculous. To think you will change someone’s mind based on a few simplistic comments is not only unrealistic, it is more likely to turn them off and undermine your credibility with anyone who has actually researched these issues. A good start further research from an intelligent believer viewpoint would be the website of the American Scientific Affiliation, or Biologos.org Both are groups of scientists who are also believers. They accept evolution (as God’s method of creation), and believe that rejecting all the evidence for it does more to push scientifically literate people away from than toward the gospel. Note that even in Genesis, God is recorded as saying let the waters and land bring forth living creatures. That sounds a lot more like an indirect, evolution-like creation than the instant, fiat creation YECs promote.
My father God also said that ‘he grieved that he made man from the dust of the earth ,twice. I will punish your children 4 Generations . He also had to tell his subjects quit having sex with your children . Go into that town and kill every man ,woman and child. Eat the bread of versity and drink the water of Affliction and rejoice for they should be your teachers. Your 20th century intellectual mind is running away with you, as humans we have came a long way from barbarian and, hedonism and as you know we got a long way to go till perfection. Until then Christ is the love of God, humanity is FLAWED, don’t go out of your way to find an excuse not to believe. The human race is Born Into sin , you have the advantage of living in the enlightened era !
So we were born into sin? By our loving creator? Who then sent himself in the form of a human , to save humanity for our sins. lol makes a lot of sense. Religion is for complete morons. Use your brain and your reasoning and stop believing the nonsense you hear at church. They’re over 4000 different man made gods. Why is your god any different then the other ones? Don’t you realIze we are all animals. We are not a divine creation. Your an ignorant fool. Study history and learn about all the violence hate and death associated with religion. Throw away silly cultish traditions and come to reality and the 21st century. Unite as one race and one people. We are all earthlings!!!
John, what is more grazy. To believe that you came out of nothing or to believe a supreme being made you.
“We are all animals” and not spiritual beings? It requires more faith for me to believe as an atheist than to believe in a higher power. Tell people who have had a near death experience that there’s no God. They consistently report, regardless of preconceived notions, that God or at least a higher power does indeed exist and that it’s all about Love. Why don’t you do a little research with that? They can’t all be delusional and they always come back from their encounter from “the other side” saying that it is far more real than this earthly existence which seems more like a “delusion”. Biblical legalism aside, I believe it’s the true reality.
Timothy, you should take your own advice about doing more research on “near death experiences.” The majority of scientists as well as many theologians, including many Christian ones, do not take NDEs as proof or even credible evidence of Heaven, since there is extensive evidence that the experiences relate to oxygen deprived or otherwise compromised brains, and neurological responses to trauma. Indeed, how could they be real experiences of heaven unless the person were fully dead?– in which case the people involved would have to be resurrected, not just brought back from _near_ death. That’s why they call then NEAR death experiences. Furthermore, many non-Christians and even non-religious people (including atheists) have these experiences, so if they are evidence of heaven, it throws a monkey wrench into orthodox Christian doctrine (where only believers to to heaven). See for example:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-near-death-experience-isnt-proof-heaven/
E=E
Neel, it sounds like you’re saying Jesus’s teachings are very different from those of God of the Old Testament, who ordered the slaughter of entire cities of men, women, children (and you forgot to mention, even the animals). But that same Jesus said he supports every word of the Old Testament, and that he and the Father are one. So there’s the quandary and apparent contradiction, which you and many others seem to gloss over. The OT God did not just relate how evil humans were killing each other in droves; HE often ordered it!
https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/doesnt-the-bible-support-slavery/
I would hardly trust what AIG says, since they are a young-earth promoting organization that ignores or misrepresents lots of scientific evidence to support their literalistic view, of Genesis and YE belief, which is disputed even by many Christian scientists. Moreover, on the issue of slavery, like many apologists, they water down the issue and claim that slaves in Biblical times were more like paid servants (essentially painting them as butlers and maids), without dealing with the most troublesome aspects, including Bible verses that talk about (without condemnation) people being bought, sold, inherited as property, and even beaten as long as they don’t die in a couple days. At least some Biblical scholars deal with these issues in a full and frank way. AIG is not among them.
I am happily a slave to Jesus, living in joy unspeakable; it’s the Spirit that brings life, the flesh profits nothing. But, to those who refuse this servitude, you’ll find yourself a slave to the torments of hell one day. How dreadful.
Yeah, yeah, we know, you don’t believe that — as if that changes anything.
You are an insensitive idiot. You were just shown how the bible endorsed slavery. It was the reason why millions of blacks were shipped to the Americas as slaves, dumass. All done by white christians, based on crime. No, we don’t believe in your foul spirit of religious Alzheimer. God has nothing to do with the historical slave trade and it’s texts, but it shows exactly where your heart is. You just worship ancestors and their criminal buffoonery, silly clown.
Do realize that little children read also stuff from people like you. There will not be any excuse when you will be called before the throne of God. You rather believe words from man than Words from God. A manpleaser is what you are, so this stands as a warning for everyone you would try to manipulate following your path of foolishness. I’m sure someone had to tell you.
First let’s clear up some things. The first slaves were NOT black, they were actually Arabs and Jews. Next, slaves were not shipped to the Americas by white Christians, They were actually sold into slavery by rival black tribes. Whites didn’t even venture into the parts of Africa where black slaves were held due to safety and knowing that they themselves would be killed. The black tribes sold the slaves to Portuguese slave traders who were Catholic and not Christian. If you don’t know the difference between Catholic and Christian, well that is something else you need to look up. As far as slavery in the Bible, yes, it existed, as did incest, murder, and a whole laundry list of other things, however that doesn’t mean that it was okay. Man lived a perfect life in Eden and by his own choice fell out of favor with God. After this, man was left to his own evil devices. As far as Jesus and slavery in the New Testament, Jesus didn’t come to earth to change anything, he only came to provide salvation for lost souls. Slavery at that time was a lawful venture that was condoned by the Roman government. Jesus stated “render unto Caesar(the government) the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are God”. This shows that Jesus focus was not in changing the world, the government, the status quo’s of the times, etc… His entire focus was spiritual. There are a lot of atheists here that will laugh at a Christians faith, yet they exhibit faith everyday themselves. When you sit in a chair you have faith. Faith that it will hold you, faith that the maker of that chair used the proper materials. You board a plane and have faith that the plane is going to stay in the air, faith that the pilot has the skill to be able to land the plane, faith in the air traffic control that they are going to give the pilot the proper instructions. The person who laughs at the person with faith is a fool. Do people sometimes misplace faith, sure, and to question that is fine, but to question a persons faith just on mere existence is, well beyond the realm of foolish.
To be fair, the slave trade was not just conducted by white Christians (which makes it no more evil). Many Muslims, blacks, and people of other races and creeds took part in the slave trade (and owning of slaves), and in many parts of the world, slavery continues (as does sex trafficking).
Slaves at that time could be raped by their master regardless of age, race, or gender. It was nearly impossible for a slave to become free unless the master gave them freedom. Slaves rarely held money so it was nearly impossible for them to buy their own freedom. They were treated like furniture, and many times were not even given beds. It is difficult to believe either Testaments of the Bible contain anything more than manmade words, and thoughts. And none inspired by God. No God I want to worship would condone slavery of any kind, or for any reason. If Jesus were to know he was going to die anyway, he would of certainly mentioned the evils of slavery. But did not. There really are no excuses or rationale, political or otherwise, or his lack of concern.
Correct, there is zero justification for slavery.
Interesting that you attempt to view the wordage of 2 – 4 thousand years ago with our language and understanding today with our definitions of today. Which is your problem, not the Lord’s.
I would say that your boss at your job is your master and you are his/her servant. As an employee, you are bought and paid for. Your boss tells you when to see your family, when to use the bathroom, when to eat, what size of living quarters you will have, how many children you can afford to have and so on.
Also, many people were nomads roaming the land from place to place. True with Israel as they roamed in the desert. They did not have “homes” and individual shelter. So, when they became employees (servants) they lived with their boss. Just like “butlers” often do. They received food and shelter. Some also received money too.
Did they treat their employees well? Like today, some do and some don’t. But again, some employees think their bosses treat them poorly so they go on strike and become bad employees. Back in those days, the law allowed for strict punishment for employees. So, the Lord simply said that he doesn’t want them to be harmed physically so work hard and complete your tasks on time. Pretty simple request.
The problem with you snowflakes is that you have completely missed the purpose of this life and God’s plan of salvation. This includes free moral agency and will. In order to learn people will go through trials and tribulations. If God intervened in every bad thing that goes on in this world, no one would learn a thing. No one would understand the difference between good and evil. No one would love because they would not understand love without bad experiences. God only meddled in man’s experiences only a few times in 6,000 years for these reasons. Jesus didn’t come to physically save people from tyranny and oppression in the meridian of time. He came to teach repentance, the Gospel and give unto us the New Covenant to love one another. he taught that there is more than this life.
Lol 6000 years? Wake up. Your faith is a virus that needs to be stopped. Religion is mass delusion and an illness. There is no celestial dictator in the sky. What In your small brainwashed mind, makes u believe any of this nonsense?
Grasshopper, I find it quite ironic that you write (to another poster) “Interesting that you attempt to view the wordage of 2 – 4 thousand years ago with our language and understanding today with our definitions of today,” and then you turn around and play word games with a misleading analogy yourself, saying ” I would say that your boss at your job is your master and you are his/her servant. As an employee, you are bought and paid for.”
No, not in any sense that Biblical slaves were. Your workplace analogy is an insult to all people who were real slaves, who to suffer the indignity of someone literally owning them, confining them 24 hrs a day, and ordering them to do whatever they like whenever they like, with out any freedom to leave (as any employee can do). So your comparison is baloney.
As a long time believer I too tried to evade the issue of slavery in the Bible, with a number of passages seeming to condone it, and no clear condemnation of it. At lease I am honest enough to admit it is a problem, as are OT atrocities, including genocides of entire cities of men, women, children, babies, and even animals).
I know many argue that slavery in Biblical times was more like an “indentured servant” or domestic maid relationship (similar to your lame analogy), but that’s not consistent with the passages question. Unlike a maid, the Bible refers to slaves being taken as spoils of war (especially young women) and being bought and sold as _property_. That there were terms given for eventual freedom in some cases doesn’t diminish the unethical nature of literally buying and selling people. Even more troubling is the verse saying that no punishment shall be given to someone who beats his slave, as long as the slave does not die after a few days. Honestly, does this not trouble you? If not, that troubles me.
Another often heard rationale, that “times were different” also makes no sense. On what basis would be ever be OK to own and beat slaves? And why would God’s moral principles change, just because a lot of countries were doing something. If slavery became commonplace again, would that make it OK?
Jason has explained it very well.
I want to be a SLAVE…MY MASTER IS JESUS!
Well Tom, I guess you must have had the common sense beaten out of you then. Too bad.
No….Tom’s sense remains intact. What’s “beaten” out of him by Jesus is selfishness. If, in fact, Christ Jesus lives in Tom, he’s empowered by the love of God to put others before himself. As “master,” Jesus loves, provides, heals, comforts, guides and inspires Tom and others who chose to follow Him.. Notice the use of the word chose. This relationship IS NOT forced servitude. Tom choses to serve his master, Jesus; he doesn’t forsake his will to leave or deny the One who has given Tom so much by laying down His life (as a servant, mind you) to suffer and die a cruel death in Tom’s place for selfishness, avarice, greed, pride, arrogance, etc. etc. Tom doesn’t leave simply because Jesus is benevolent. As God Incarnate (God in the flesh), Jesus demonstrated servanthood perfectly, forsaking His divine rights and prerogatives to accomplish His mission. The New Birth – a heavenly one, if you will – produces changed character, ambitions and goals – for the
Tom, you think you’re being clever, but stop to think for a moment. How would you feel if you were a slave in Biblical times, being bought and sold like a dog, with no freedom to leave or choose not to do what they ordered. On top of that, if your owner wanted to beat the tar out of you, the law considered OK as long as you didn’t die after a few days? If you can say you’d be OK with that, you’re not fooling anyone.