`. Slavery and the Gospel of Jesus Christ Colossians 3 22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are...

Slavery and the Gospel of Slavery and the Gospel of Jesus ChristJesus Christ

Colossians 3Colossians 3• 22 22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are Slaves, in all things obey those who are

your masters on earth, not only while being your masters on earth, not only while being watched, as those who merely please men, watched, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, for the Lord rather than for men, 24 24 knowing knowing that from the Lord you will receive the that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. whom you serve.

Colossians 3Colossians 3• 25 25 For he who does wrong will receive the For he who does wrong will receive the

consequences of the wrong which he has consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. done, and that without partiality. 1 1 Masters, Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 3:22-4:1)heaven. (Colossians 3:22-4:1)

Modern Slavery (1600-1800s)Modern Slavery (1600-1800s)

In the American south:In the American south:1.1.RacismRacism2.2.The slave trade (kidnapping)The slave trade (kidnapping)3.3.Widespread abuseWidespread abuse

Facts about SlaveryFacts about Slavery• 1/3 of the people in Rome were slaves1/3 of the people in Rome were slaves• 20-25% of the Roman Empire were slaves20-25% of the Roman Empire were slaves• 60 million people were slaves60 million people were slaves• People could become slaves through war or People could become slaves through war or

“exposure”“exposure”• Or chose to be a slave voluntarilyOr chose to be a slave voluntarily• Slaves were not kidnapped in the EmpireSlaves were not kidnapped in the Empire

““Kidnapping”Kidnapping”• ““He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells

him or he is found in his possession, shall him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.” (Exodus 21:16)surely be put to death.” (Exodus 21:16)

• ““If a man is caught kidnapping any of his If a man is caught kidnapping any of his countrymen of the sons of Israel, and he countrymen of the sons of Israel, and he deals with him violently or sells him, then deals with him violently or sells him, then that thief shall die; so you shall purge the evil that thief shall die; so you shall purge the evil from among you.” (Deuteronomy 24:7)from among you.” (Deuteronomy 24:7)

““Kidnapping”Kidnapping”• 8 8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it

lawfully, lawfully, 9 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers or mothers, for murderers 10 10 and sexually immoral and sexually immoral men and homosexuals and men and homosexuals and kidnapperskidnappers and liars and and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, teaching, 11 11 according to the glorious gospel of the according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. (1 Timothy 1:8-11)(1 Timothy 1:8-11)

RaciallyRacially• Race or nationality played no part in ancient Race or nationality played no part in ancient

slaveryslavery

• Slaves had some of the same rights as free Slaves had some of the same rights as free men (right to trial, etc.)men (right to trial, etc.)

ChronologicallyChronologically• In Israel, Jews sold themselves into slavery in In Israel, Jews sold themselves into slavery in

order to pay off a debt – indentured order to pay off a debt – indentured servitudeservitude

• The Law of Moses imposed a time limit on The Law of Moses imposed a time limit on the service: 6 yearsthe service: 6 years

ChronologicallyChronologically• 12 12 “If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, “If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman,

is sold to you, then he shall serve you six is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free. him free. 13 13 When you set him free, you shall When you set him free, you shall not send him away empty-handed. not send him away empty-handed. 14 14 You You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as the LORD your vat; you shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. God has blessed you. (Deut. 15:12-14)(Deut. 15:12-14)

ChronologicallyChronologically• 15 15 You shall remember that you were a slave You shall remember that you were a slave

in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.” (Deuteronomy 15:15)today.” (Deuteronomy 15:15)

ChronologicallyChronologically• 16 16 “It shall come about if he says to you, ‘I will “It shall come about if he says to you, ‘I will

not go out from you,’ because he loves you not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he fares well with and your household, since he fares well with you; you; 17 17 then you shall take an awl and pierce then you shall take an awl and pierce it through his ear into the door, and he shall it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also you shall do be your servant forever. Also you shall do likewise to your maidservant.” likewise to your maidservant.” (Deuteronomy 15:16-17)(Deuteronomy 15:16-17)

ChronologicallyChronologically• 18 18 “It shall not seem hard to you when you set “It shall not seem hard to you when you set

him free, for he has given you six years with him free, for he has given you six years with double the service of a hired man; so the double the service of a hired man; so the LORD your God will bless you in whatever LORD your God will bless you in whatever you do.” (Deuteronomy 15:18)you do.” (Deuteronomy 15:18)

ChronologicallyChronologically• 54 54 “If any Israelites have not been redeemed “If any Israelites have not been redeemed

by the time the Year of Jubilee arrives, then by the time the Year of Jubilee arrives, then they and their children must be set free at they and their children must be set free at that time. that time. 55 55 For the people of Israel are my For the people of Israel are my servants, they are My servants whom I servants, they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, brought out of the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.” (Leviticus 25:54-55)am your God.” (Leviticus 25:54-55)

No AbuseNo Abuse• 26 26 “If a man strikes the eye of his male or “If a man strikes the eye of his male or

female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. go free on account of his eye. 27 27 And if he And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth.” (Exodus 21:26-27)his tooth.” (Exodus 21:26-27)

Indentured ServitudeIndentured Servitude• 39 39 “If a countryman of yours becomes so poor “If a countryman of yours becomes so poor

with regard to you that he sells himself to with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave’s you, you shall not subject him to a slave’s service. service. 40 40 He shall be with you as a hired He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve with you until the year of jubilee.” with you until the year of jubilee.” (Leviticus 25:39-40)(Leviticus 25:39-40)

Regulate Yet Not ApproveRegulate Yet Not Approve• ““The Bible does not approve or command The Bible does not approve or command

slavery any more than it approves or commands slavery any more than it approves or commands persecution of Christians. When the author of persecution of Christians. When the author of Hebrews commends his readers by saying, ‘You Hebrews commends his readers by saying, ‘You joyfully accepted the plundering of your joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and a lasting one’ (Heb. had a better possession and a lasting one’ (Heb. 10:34), that does not mean the Bible supports 10:34), that does not mean the Bible supports the plundering of Christians’ property, or that it the plundering of Christians’ property, or that it commands theft! commands theft!

Regulate Yet Not ApproveRegulate Yet Not Approve• It only means that if Christians find themselves It only means that if Christians find themselves

in a situation where their property is taken in a situation where their property is taken through persecution, they should still rejoice through persecution, they should still rejoice because of their heavenly treasure, which because of their heavenly treasure, which cannot be stolen. Similarly, when the Bible tells cannot be stolen. Similarly, when the Bible tells slaves to be submissive to their masters, it does slaves to be submissive to their masters, it does not mean that the Bible supports or commands not mean that the Bible supports or commands slavery, but only that it tells people who are in a slavery, but only that it tells people who are in a situation of slavery how they should respond.” situation of slavery how they should respond.” – Wayne Grudem– Wayne Grudem

ChronologicallyChronologically• Roman slaves served for about 7-10 yearsRoman slaves served for about 7-10 years• Slaves could purchase their own freedomSlaves could purchase their own freedom• Most were released before the age of 30 or Most were released before the age of 30 or

earlierearlier

EducationallyEducationally• Slaves were provided educations by their Slaves were provided educations by their

mastersmasters• Some slaves were better educated than their Some slaves were better educated than their

ownersowners• They were trained in skills or tradesThey were trained in skills or trades

VocationallyVocationally• Slaves were often: household managers, Slaves were often: household managers,

librarians, personal secretaries, poets, sea librarians, personal secretaries, poets, sea captains, farmers, and executivescaptains, farmers, and executives

• Lawyers, doctors, business managers, Lawyers, doctors, business managers, artisans, educators, sculptors, architects, artisans, educators, sculptors, architects, actors, accountants, and professorsactors, accountants, and professors

• Joseph and Daniel were slaves, yet 2Joseph and Daniel were slaves, yet 2ndnd in in commandcommand

SociallySocially• Slavery helped people climb the social ladder, Slavery helped people climb the social ladder,

earn government positions, or gain honorearn government positions, or gain honor

• ““Imperial slaves sometimes owned their own Imperial slaves sometimes owned their own slaves, traveled in pomp and luxury on the slaves, traveled in pomp and luxury on the emperor’s business, and commanded deference emperor’s business, and commanded deference from all but the highest aristocrats. When acting on from all but the highest aristocrats. When acting on behalf of the emperor, they had authority even over behalf of the emperor, they had authority even over freeborn Romans.” – Jeffers, freeborn Romans.” – Jeffers, The Greco-Roman The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament EraWorld of the New Testament Era

SociallySocially• Some male slaves married free womenSome male slaves married free women

• Some female slaves married their mastersSome female slaves married their masters

• ““Slavery was more a process than a Slavery was more a process than a permanent state, a temporary condition to permanent state, a temporary condition to endure while heading toward a better way of endure while heading toward a better way of life.” - Jefferslife.” - Jeffers

SociallySocially• Because slaves served across a range of Because slaves served across a range of

economic levels, they never developed an economic levels, they never developed an awareness of being a class or a group of awareness of being a class or a group of people people

• Freed slaves were granted Roman citizenship Freed slaves were granted Roman citizenship which came with many privileges (exempt which came with many privileges (exempt from some taxes)from some taxes)

SummarySummary• Ancient slavery was not based on racism, was Ancient slavery was not based on racism, was

not lifelong, it was often voluntary, it not lifelong, it was often voluntary, it provided education and social and economic provided education and social and economic incentivesincentives

The ExodusThe Exodus• It’s hard to say that God is pro-slavery when It’s hard to say that God is pro-slavery when

He rescued the Israelites from slavery in He rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 2, 13-15 )Egypt (Exodus 2, 13-15 )

• 1 1 Then God spoke all these words, saying, Then God spoke all these words, saying, 2 2 “I “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. slavery. 3 3 You shall have no other gods before You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:1-3)Me.” (Exodus 20:1-3)

Why didn’t Christianity Why didn’t Christianity immediately abolish slavery?immediately abolish slavery?

1.1. The focus on eternity and salvationThe focus on eternity and salvation2.2. Legal and state issuesLegal and state issues3.3. Paul encouraged individual freedom vs. Paul encouraged individual freedom vs.

trying to take down the institution trying to take down the institution


• 21 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; worry about it; but if you are able also to but if you are able also to become free, rather do thatbecome free, rather do that. . 22 22 For he who For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. while free, is Christ's slave. 23 23 You were You were bought with a price; do not become slaves bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians 7:21-23)of men. (1 Corinthians 7:21-23)


1.1. The focus on eternity and salvationThe focus on eternity and salvation2.2. Legal and state issuesLegal and state issues3.3. Paul encouraged individual freedom vs. trying to Paul encouraged individual freedom vs. trying to

take down the institution take down the institution 4.4. ““The institution of slavery itself was never really The institution of slavery itself was never really

questioned. Slaves may have resented their bondage, questioned. Slaves may have resented their bondage, but given the chance, they acquired slaves themselves. but given the chance, they acquired slaves themselves. When freed, they simply moved up a notch in the When freed, they simply moved up a notch in the system, becoming themselves masters and mistresses system, becoming themselves masters and mistresses and pulling their dependents along with them. Almost and pulling their dependents along with them. Almost no one, slaves included, thought to organize society in no one, slaves included, thought to organize society in any other way.” - Dale Martinany other way.” - Dale Martin


• ““For centuries, slavery needed no For centuries, slavery needed no defenders, because it had no critics.” defenders, because it had no critics.” - Dinesh D’Souza, - Dinesh D’Souza, What’s So Great About What’s So Great About ChristianityChristianity

5. The Gospel’s transformation from the 5. The Gospel’s transformation from the inside-outinside-out


• He told them another parable: “The kingdom of He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in 50 pounds of flour until it spread mixed in 50 pounds of flour until it spread through all of it.” (Matthew 13:33)through all of it.” (Matthew 13:33)

• ““Christianity’s emphasis has always been on the Christianity’s emphasis has always been on the transformation of individuals who will in turn transformation of individuals who will in turn influence society, not the transformation of influence society, not the transformation of society which will then transform individuals.”society which will then transform individuals.” - Harold Hoehner - Harold Hoehner

Philemon: The Little Letter that Philemon: The Little Letter that Changed the WorldChanged the World

• 15 15 For perhaps he [Onesimus] was for this reason For perhaps he [Onesimus] was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, have him back forever, 16 16 no longer as a slave, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dearly loved brotherbut more than a slave, as a dearly loved brother, , especially to me, but how much more to you, especially to me, but how much more to you, both as a person and as a believer in the Lord. both as a person and as a believer in the Lord. 17 17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me… you would me… 21 21 Having confidence in your Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. will do even more than what I say. (Philemon 1:15-17, 21)(Philemon 1:15-17, 21)

One in ChristOne in Christ• There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is

neither slave nor free man, there is neither neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

BenedictionBenediction• 31 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had

believed Him, “If you continue in My word, believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 32 and and you will know the truth, and the truth will you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free… make you free… 34 34 Truly, truly, I say to you, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 35 The slave does not remain in the house The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. forever; the son does remain forever. 36 36 So if So if the Son makes you free, you will be free the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 34-36)indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 34-36)

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