Human equality in Christianity?

Question

When it comes to human affairs and relations, slavery is one of the back bones of the spine of Christianity and its principles:

"All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. (From the NIV Bible, 1 Timothy 6:1)"

"Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be defamed. (From the RSV Bible, 1 Timothy 6:1)"

"A student is not greater than the teacher. A slave is not greater than the master. (From the NIV Bible, Matthew 10:24)"

We clearly see that the Bible is not a book for freeing slaves. Slavery was practiced very badly during the times of Judaism and Christianity. It is part of the Bible's "teaching" to practice and promote slavery!

PS: To mawntswrk ... sorry, i don't have a job but I have career in one of France Gas Company..

Answer 1

You're absolutely correct. The bible is about the most repulsive book I have ever read. It's absolute nonsense. The Europeans laugh at us for being so religious.

Answer 2

Christianity does not promote SLAVERY. The passages you have mentioned primarily referred to as servanthood. Meaning to say, serving without grudging.

You are no doubt familiar with the passage in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, where Jesus washes the disciples' feet. It is a moving display of humility and the object lesson illustrating Jesus' new commandment, "Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." (John 17:34)

"Do you know what I have done to you?" Jesus asked the disciples when he had finished washing their feet. It was a rhetorical question, for he goes on to say he has set an example for them. The menial task of washing feet represents servanthood. Jesus became the servant, the slave, of the disciples.

As a priviledged child of the 20th century, I wonder if I have ever really grasped the import of Jesus' model of servanthood. I tend to apply it by choice, and selectively, doing things for others as I feel motivated, and, truthfully, feeling pretty good about offering my service. But a true servant has no choice, and gets no credit. The maidservant and manservant of old were simply available to do what was asked or what was needed, all the time, no matter the inconvenience or their own preferences. They could not delay obedience, negotiate terms, show resentment, or expect rewards. Gee whiz, I don't think I reflect this attitude with Jesus Himself, much less with other believers.

Yet it is this servanthood that Jesus says shows our love. What manner of love is this, that is so thoroughly self-giving? Can we let such love move from the cross, where it is most starkly played out, into our own hearts and lives?

"For I have set you an example," Jesus said, "that you also should do as I have done to you."

Answer 3

Where do you get "promote" slavery? It is a reflection of the people of the times. Check each of your verses. Non say slavery is good. They are honest statements. Is a slave greater then a master? The YOKE of slavery is the BONDAGE of slavery. You are either very illiterate or filled with blinding hate.

Answer 4

the bible means a servent
they just say slave because back then they did not call it servent
and they defently dont mean the kind the of stupid abusive slavery the white americans did to the black african americans
nobody but the portugese and americans took it THAT FAR!!!
the passege is teaching respect for your master
we should all be servents to one another
jesus's desiples respected him and served him
he also served them (he even washed there feet)
you could relate the passeges to a child and his mother
is the child greater than his mother?
if the mother asks something resonable of the child shouldnt the child do it because his mother is greater?
and if the child ask something resonable of the mother she should hav it in her heart to do it for the child beacause serving sould go both ways
and jesus felt very strongly about that
you should be able to humble your self and serve someone else as they should also be able to do for you.

Answer 5

Too many things in the bible are just done arbitrarily, with no common sense reason given, like when king David sent a man to the front lines in battle so he'd get killed, then david could have his wife! And why would Solomon deserve 1000 concubines. And oh yes, why did god choose poor Job to be dealt with like that by the devil??

Answer 6

Slavery means fully devoted to God & Even Jesus considered him self as servant see mark 10:43-44

Answer 7

God said I call you as friends not as slaves. try to interpret in the clear manner. contest is much more important than any other thing. Jesus said we can call him as father, brother, and GOD. He is there to liberate us from all kinds of slavery's. If you believe that he is not freeing us from slavery then from whom will you get salvation?

Answer 8

Name ancient Christians that had slaves?

You have the verses right but this is a reading that the first Christians, the apostles, are giving to some jewish false teachers, the Pharisees. The apostles are telling the jewish leaders TO free their slaves. You're interpretting this verse all wrong.

Answer 9

I believe you are reading the meaning of the Scripture wrong. Basically anyone who works for another these days could be considered a servent in those days......but the message is the same......be humble, this life doesn't matter anyway....

Answer 10

I was a slave to sin and a slave to the system of this world untill I was liberated by Jesus Christ, you are not His so you do not understand His word. When one is born again and the spirit of the living God abides within, spiritual things are made clear.