Slavery in the Bible

Introduction
Many people knock the Bible because of its supposed treatment of slavery
Review from last week: What is the criteria for something to be Scripture?
- 1. It must have been written by a prophet.
- 2. Does it tell the truth about God?
- 3. It must have the POWER of God!
- 4. Was it accepted by the people of God?
If all the above is true, why would God allow slavery: Leviticus 25:45
D = Dialect (cracked acronym)
What was a slave 3,000 years ago
Talking slavery from the Dictionary of Later New Testament and its Developments
Nothing about appearance, legal status and/or social status could help identify a slave from their owners
Many slaves were educated better than their owners
Many slaves attended the same church as their owners
Bible Contradiction via Freedom From Religion Foundation
- Is God omnipotent (all powerful) or not?
- Jeremiah 32:27 and Matthew 19:26 vs Judges 1:19
Many slaves held very high positions in society
Slavery in biblical times was more like conscription.
Slaves could own property… and even their own slaves
Slaves were allowed to congregate publicly
Listener Question from Robert in Las Vegas, NV
- If Jesus is God, why does He refer to God as someone other than Himself? (3rd person)
Slaves did not see themselves as a common group of people suffering a plight together
Slaves often did climb socially
Large majority of slaves could look forward to being freed by the age of 30 and often became citizens the Roman Empire

This show originally aired June 22nd, 2014

Subscribe to Podcast