God approves of slavery though doesn't he?

Question

God approves of slavery. In Exodus 21 the guidelines for the buying, selling and treatment of slaves is given. God says in verse 4 that if a male slave marries, his wife and children shall remain with the master when the slave departs because technically speaking they belong to the master. How's that for family values? Now if the slave is imprudent enough to protests because he loves his wife and children and wants to stay on, the consequences can be pretty drastic. In verse 6 the master is directed to "Bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever". This is all repeated with some minor alteration in Deuteronomy 15:16-17. Here the master is told to "Do likewise to your maid slaves." In Exodus 21:7-9 God even instructs men how they are to go about selling their own daughters into slavery. Here it is worth noting that many church officials including popes have owned slaves

quote: Louis W. Cable

Slavery & the Bible
http://www.inu.net/skeptic/slavery.html

Pake, But I was just dished up quotes from Old Testament to back up the anti-gay homophobic notions that are still rampant amongst Christians. So which is it?... Old or New, Christians really can't decide if they are Arthur or Martha it seems to me.

Answer 1

The bible was written by primitive savages for primitive savages, it has no place in twenty first century civilization.

Answer 2

The slave got his ear pierced. Not uncommon today, is it? As a matter of fact, there are persons going around with dozens of body piercings – is that not so? They are probably slaves to fashion, I suppose. And this piercing was done at the request of the slave, yes? The use of the word imprudent is unwarranted, unless you feel love for one’s family is imprudent.

If you mean to imply some sort of parallel between the slavery among the Hebrews and the slavery among other nations, you are overlooking some key factors, one of which is slavery among the Israelites was not even a blurry reflection of the despicable slavery practiced by other nations. And if the attempted parallel is drawn between Israelite slavery and that beastly slavery practiced by the Europeans against Africans, it is well-established that the enslavement of Africans was a peculiar institution indeed.

There seems to be no honorable objective in considering this subject piecemeal as some enjoy doing, rather than in its entirety and in the context of the day.

Answer 3

No - there is more to it that what you have written - and when further researched much of it was logical and even caring. Those were different times, social, and financial structures.
Remember that the nations surrounding Isreal were truly evil in their manner of worship. They were grossly immoral, vicious and even sacrificed their own children - tortured regularly and played catch with the heads of people they'd murdered. God protected his true worshipers and expected them to multiply and to take care of each other. When a debt was owed a man could pay the debt by offering himself as a slave to pay the debt - and this was a contract. Yes in some situations there was ear-piercing and I don't have a great memory for all the details but the laws were actually very strict about the 'mistreatment' of slaves. Slaves did at times become criminals and breach their contracts...
Today people/Christians do not live under that Mosaic Law. Christ's arrival on earth released people from that strictness and detail of the Law - and Jesus gave two main/first commandments. This way people could live by the principles. Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as YOURSELF. Christians are admonished in the new testament to take the lead in showing honour to others, to share the good news in the bible, to keep the marriage bed honorable etc. In Gods eyes every man is equal - so one race making slaves of another race is NOT BIBLICAL and definitely not CHRISTIAN. Of course many religions 'profess' Christianity, but they do what they wish and call it righteous. Any man that holds himself up as higher than another is in effect unChristian - and I am not talking about bosses employees but pride, superiority and the like. Clergy are also admonished to not hold themselves above the congregation - and look how far away form the bible so many religions have come.

Answer 4

You left out a few major points. A slave isn't a slave forever. After a period of time the slave must be set free. But if that slave loves his master and wants to stay with his master, then his master is to take an awl and stand him at the door post and bore a hole through his ear and then the slave will stay with his master and serve him forever.
But that is if the slave wants to stay. It is the slaves choice.
Read the whole book. Put it into context.

Glad to see Pake is taking his meds.

Answer 5

Slavery, per se, not White Slavery,I hope.This are two very very different thing. It also depends on how that slavery was acquired, if from being PRISONERS OF WAR or CONVICTED CRIMINALS, it should be non-payment of their services rendered. However, in Islam, one should treat a slave as one should treat oneself, only difference is the payment again and the above situation, but giving extras is mandatory and better.Giving their liberty is most encourage which depends on some criterias.

Answer 6

I don’t think of that its that he accept as true with it yet that slavery is basically yet another sin that comes from the fall of guy. interior the prefect worldwide God created for guy there could be no slavery or the different harsh issues at the same time with rape, homicide, abuse. God additionally mentioned that masters have been to handle their slaves good a some distance cry from what took place for the time of slavery in American or maybe some slavery that still exists in the present day. additionally in this days sometimes with the aid of financial motives somebody could sell themselves as a slave. The Hebrews enslavement in Egypt is the only time interior the bible the place Slavery relies entirely on a definite ethnic or team of persons. look what God ultimately did to Egypt. additionally it replace into lots much less confusing for a slave to be set loose in this situations in actuality it replace into required if somebody bought themselves as a slave as quickly as they served 6 years they have been to be freed of their seventh year. And their grasp replace into to no longer deliver them on the way empty surpassed they have been to offer the slave most of the livestock between another issues. Colossians 4:a million Masters, supply your slaves with what's sturdy and honest, considering the fact which you comprehend which you besides could have a grasp in heaven The bible additionally condemns kidnapping and promoting people into slavery Exodus 21:sixteen “all of us who kidnaps yet another and the two sells him or nonetheless has him while he's caught must be positioned to death.

Answer 7

Thinking for ones self is a big part of evolving. Slavery had it's place on Earth in the past, but we have evolved past that time. You shouldn't take things from the Bible to literally. The Spirit of Truth as described in the Bible has already come and explained things further, that we have misinterpreted.

Answer 8

well Bob Dylan said it best " you have to serve someone it my be the devil it my be the Lord you have to serve someone" . though you are talking about physical slavery am going to answer on spirital level. you have to belong to someones household, and either you sit at the table of a Holy awesome loving Father or at a table that is full of shame disgust and a uncaring step father. in life you can have a wonderful relationship with Jesus and be set free of the slavery to sin or you can turn your body over to sin and live a life of a slave. never having having the rights of a free child of God. so if a persons looks at there life they have to see who they are serving. if you are serving your own desires are you not in the end serving the devil.

Answer 9

Good question! And since god's morality is eternal truth, I suppose that means that slavery is now and always will be acceptable? Time and culture doesn't change things for god, so this must be included.

Answer 10

Oh yea, sure buddy, God approves of slavery. That's so why he had moses come and save all those slaves, perfect example don't you think.

what a dumb question, i hope you don't have any slaves...

"let my people go!"- Prince of Egypt :]

Answer 11

We are no longer under the "Law" (Old Testament), we are now under "Grace" (New Testament).

You are yourself a "slave" to your thinking as you are obviously confused about God.

We are all slaves to sin without Jesus! We are free men after we accept/receive Him into our hearts/lives.