Slavery

[lemonbeam]

How is this verse explained?

Exodus 21:20-21 “And 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.”

And this verse:

Ephesians 6:5 (New International Version) Slaves and Masters 5. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

And why did Jesus not condemn or change slavery?

1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

 

[Ron_Conte]

See this article:
Development or Reversal?
Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.
firstthings.com/article/2007/01/development-or-reversal-37

“Radical forms of slavery that deprive human beings of all personal rights are never morally permissible, but more or less moderate forms of subjection and servitude will always accompany the human condition.”

In the Bible, some translations use the term slaves, when a more accurate translation would be servants, since the form of subjection is not what we today call slavery, but rather indentured servitude of one type or another.

 

[JerryS]

Unless you see Old Testament national Israel as a practical model of government for other peoples and times, the Exodus rule is not problematic. There are many rules in the Torah which we disregard as being specific to Israel or its historical context. Certainly it does not condemn slavery, but neither does it promote it. It’s more about how you should treat slaves not too harshly, although it still sounds brutal from our perspective.

The Eph and 1 Cor passages are talking to you. If you find yourself a slave, here is how to act. Or, if you are a slave and subhuman in the eyes of men, you are still loved and accepted by God. It’s not a commentary on whether Christians should own slaves or not, but how Christians who find themselves slaves will act. This is consistent with other exhortations to submit yourself to government, parents, and other authorities so long as you are not required to act contrary to God’s will.

Jesus came to change hearts, not political or economic systems. If enough hearts are changed, the others will change also. If not enough are changed, those in subjugation can still find comfort in their faith.