Why do we Oppose Slavery? Response to a Critic
Dec 16, 2019
We post some CCP talks on Youtube. While working through the book of Ephesians in a recent preaching series Andy Williams spoke on Paul's instructions to Christians in Ephesus regarding slaves and masters. This provoked a comment on Youtube by someone who was critical of the Bible's teaching more broadly on this matter. Such objections often get raised. It's helpful to think about these things and consider the worldview behind every objection or defense.
It's ironic to think that less than 200 years after William Wilberforce (who spearheaded the move to abolish slavery in Britain) died there are many people today who attack the very Scriptures that Wilberforce relied upon and was motivated by but still try to hold to this aspect of his ethical standards.
You can find the video of the whole talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1N3FbutsoU&list=PL5s5V_ILvIjqCYXl3EK4u_FBfYptzTVVp&index=41&t=0s
The first comment below is from "Captain Badger" who posted the original comment. The reply under "Christ Central Preston" is from Andy Williams.
If you are going to discuss slavery in the Bible then you should actually discuss it and not skip the bits to fit your agenda. You mention Exodus 21 but don't read on as it is only talking about the Israelites being set free.
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. 3 If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.
This is direct instruction on how to trick your slave into becoming your property forever.
5 “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ 6 then his master must take him before the judges.[b] He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.
This is instruction on how once you have tricked your slave you can now pierce their ear like you would a cow and tag them as your property for life.
20 “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.
Instruction oh how to beat your slave and avoid punishment.
"As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you". Leviticus 25:45
Highlighting that these are not bond servants but slaves paid and owned for. I could go on..... My question to you is
Would you live as my servant/slave under the rules put down in Exodus?
Christ Central Preston
Hi there, thanks for your comment and question. Apologies about the slow reply. In answer to your question: No, I would not want to live as your slave under the rules in Exodus. Or Leviticus. Here's why.
You appear to claim knowledge which the text doesn't actually give you. You are presuming that there is a devious intention behind Exodus 21:1-6. That is to entirely ignore the context of the whole book (God's intention to treat the people of Israel, who he had graciously rescued, as His treasured possession, and the terms of their relationship) and the culture at the time (this was mentioned in the talk I believe, though it was a long time ago). Slaves were not treated well in the Ancient Near East. These laws gave protection.
Subsequent revelation from God, demonstrated in Ephesians 6:5-9 and elsewhere, further undermines a practice which was not God's intention in the beginning (pre-fall) and has ultimately led to the abolishing of the slave trade in many countries.
Living under the rule of someone who was fundamentally suspicious of the God who spoke to them and who claims special, unsubstantiated insight as you do would not be something I would like. If I treated your words as you treat Scripture I could read anything into them I wanted.
On the other hand, you are someone who lives in the 21st century. As well as internet access you have a presumption of the value of individual people, the presumption that individuals should be free and not treated as the property of others and the belief that there is objective right and wrong. Without you believing those things, consciously or unconsciously, you would have no reason to even start to object to what Exodus 21 or Leviticus 25 says. For this reason, given that you presume that people deserve to be treated well by others, have freedom and that there is right and wrong, perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad living under your rule. However, that raises a question which I’d be interested to hear you answer:
Why do you think those things are important? What standard are you judging God’s law against?
I don’t know you or where you’re from but chances are you’ve grown up in a nation whose entire morality and view of individual personhood has been shaped by centuries of Christian influence. We live in a world after the coming of Christ who is God become a slave. His influence has shaped society in a myriad of ways. You can’t help thinking people have dignity, value and worth, even if your own worldview doesn’t give a basis for it. What do you think a human being is? Why care for people? Why not sell them? Or beat them?
As a Christian, as the talk showed, I have a reason to oppose chattel slavery, indentured servitude and indeed any abuse of power by employers. I have a reason to care for others, to oppose oppression and work to see slaves set free. I recognise that people are image bearers of God who have dignity, value and worth. My worldview laid the ground work for the subsequent abolishing of slavery in the UK, as discussed.
What about yours?
The focus of the talk was upon Ephesians 6:5-9. For this reason I couldn’t cover all the relevant texts. If it helps though I’m glad to chat through any individually. I affirm that all of God’s law is holy, righteous and good. And also that it was given to a specific people at a particular time.
I look forward to hearing your answer to my questions.