Since being gay is a sin, according to many interpretations of the Bible, how do you feel about following this

Question

"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows." Luke 12:47

Does this mean I can beat my slaves?Should I follow this?

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." Ephesians 6:5-8

Does this mean that if my slave does not do as I say then my slave is sinning as well as being a bad slave?How should my slave follow this?

People say that God speaks ill of homosexuality but deny that the Bible mentions slavery and endorses it in the New Testament.They either claim the NT is against slavery or just doesn't mention it.Wrong...

So, if we are to follow every mention of homosexuality that can be found in the Bible, why not follow every mention of slavery that is in the Bible?

Answer 1

I think the reference in Luke 12:47 is just a case of Jesus using a real life example to make a point, not necessarily endorsing slavery. However, the Bible does endorse it in other passages, including Eph. 6.5-8.

Isn't it nice that the Bible authors considered owning slaves to be OK but condemned homosexuality?

To Edward J - Paul was addressing Gentiles in Ephesians, not just Jews.
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Answer 2

First this is a culture in which slaves and servants were the norm. It's not a matter of whether the Bible endorses slavery or not. Slavery was part of the accepted social structure of the time. Of course God would address the issue and not leave people without guidance.
Second, the verse in Ephesians is talking to slaves because there was the common misconception that becoming a follower of Christ negated all responsibility to anyone else. Paul is telling the slave who has turned to Christ that to exemplify Christ he is to behave in a manner befitting a child of God rather than a rebellious child.

No one denies slavery is mentioned. As I said before, it's not endorsed but addressed as a social norm of the culture.

Answer 3

That first passage is NOT an endorsement of slavery. It is a PARABLE. Say it with me, PARABLE. THIS is why it's important to only take verses within context. If one takes one verse out of one passage, just about ANY meaning could be applied to it.
This isn't just true of the Bible, it's true of ANY book. Let's suppose you're reading a book, and at one point two of the characters are talking. One of them says to the other, "So he said, 'You should just go kill yourself.' " So if you take that ONE line, is that a suggestion to go kill yourself? Of COURSE not!

As for the passage in Ephesians, it is not an endorsement of slavery. It is simply instructions on how a slave is to act. The fact of the matter is, slavery was widespread when the Bible was written, and many new Christians were slaves. So it makes sense that the Bible would give instructions for them, don't you think?

Besides, slavery was used differently then, and this is a FACT. There weren't usually generations of slaves. It was mostly ONE person who was enslaved to pay a debt, and they were ONLY a slave until the debt was paid.

And actually, the New Testament IS against slavery. How is enslaving someone showing them respect or love? Owning slaves is un-Christianlike, because it goes against Christ's one and only commandment: LOVE one another.

Answer 4

helpful, why not? Sin is, in spite of each little thing, not something extra effective than an imaginary transgression in a pretend concept gadget. yet I do might desire to declare, i come across it concurrently a chortle and disappointing while gay Christians declare that the Bible does not say gay acts are a sin. It says so dissimilar cases and in no uncertain words (Lev. 18:22, Lev. 20:13, a million Cor. 6:9-10, Rom. a million:26-28). To be a Christian, you will possibly desire to have faith that the Bible is the printed be attentive to God, suitable? So while you're living your existence in a fashion that the Bible particularly states is unacceptable to God, how are you able to reconcile that? that is like being a Black Klansman or a Jewish Nazi. So, via all potential, be gay. Or be Christian. yet, while you would be the two, then a minimum of renowned your own hypocrisy in doing so.

Answer 5

Read the book of Philemon as it is a great book about slavery in the NT. Philemon sends his slave Onesimus to assist Paul in prison. On sending him back to Philemon he says in verse 8 "Although, in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, (set him free) yet I appeal to you on the basis of love." And in verses 15,16 "Perhaps the reason he was separated from you was so that you might have him back for good, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother." As for the Old Testament read the part where God's people are set free as slaves from Egypt. You know Moses, parting the Red Sea etc. since you know soooo much about the Bible. Also, you cannot simply interchange slave for servant either. Luke use the term servant and not slave. The Greeks have a word for slave and it is not used here. Who denies the mention of slavery? But you can see here in Paul's ministry that though he acknowledges the hierarchy system in his culture and speaks of respect of authority, he speaks and hopes for a new system of love to be established in the church where all are brothers and sisters in Christ. I Corinthians 12:12-13 speaks of the body of Christ with many parts. Whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, we were all baptized into one body by one Spirit.

Answer 6

In the passages in Luke Jesus is telling Peter an example of being watchful and doing what is required of you. He used the example of slavery because in those days slavery was legal and it was something that Peter understood. And yes, in Ephesians they are saying that a slave should serve his master just as if the master were God. Today we have abolished slavery but Christians should serve their bosses in much the same way.
Pointing out that homosexuality is a sin is pointless because we have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God. What does it matter what particular sin you are guilty of?

Answer 7

I think that you are saying that the Bible endorses slavery, when it actually is not. Paul was talking about being obedient, after having a runaway slave named Philemon in his care for a time. He eventually sent Philemon back with the letter that is now found in the Bible. Paul was not looking to change slavery on Earth, he was trying to endorse a mindset with any who are drawn to God. Because we are all slaves to God, who are called according to His purpose. We are to be obedient as slaves of Christ.

So you noticed slavery, and saw that there wasn't a call to a revolt. That does not mean endorsement.

EDIT: About homosexuality. Yes, it's a sin, and so is nearly anything else. The subject of homosexuality and Christianity all too often misses the point, we need Jesus to escape the NATURE of sin. It's the bigger picture that is really important here.

I am a Bisexual Protestant Conservative Christian. Just FYI.

Answer 8

Morality is defined by an ultimate moral authority, God. If you are a non-believer, then you have no objective moral truths.

Since God, speaking through the inspired prophets authoring the books of the bible, declared homosexuality a sin, then it is a sin.

Thus, homosexuality is just one of a litany of the degradation of the perfect moral state found in original creation. Homosexuality is just one of a plethora of sins now existing in the world. Like all sins, we hate the sin, but we love the sinner.

On the scale of the depravity of sin, homosexuality is no greater than other sins, just that it is practiced openly ("in your face"), so the reaction by some is over the top. Yet when we do some personal inventories of our own sinful natures, I am sure we are found wanting.

Some resources regarding homosexuality and the bible to clear up some misunderstandings you are having:

Myths:
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/homomyth.html

Theology:
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/homotheo.html

Happiness to Christians is more than the needs of the flesh. Continue to pray for strength to resist your urges and strive to be obedient to the scriptures.

Answer 9

The bible isn't encouraging beating of slaves only mentioing that this particular servan will be beaten with many blows. Secondly the slavery practised in the new testamen by Jews was a slavery of debt. When you couldn't pay your bill you became someone slave until it was worked off or until the year of jubilee. Every 50th year slaves were set free,

Answer 10

The authority of the Church is what defines homosexual acts as gravely disordered and sinful.

The biblical references are adequate as well, but certain things are meant to be temporary, and others are not.

Homosexuality has always been against the most basic natural law of mankind, as well as God's law, has led to the downfall and destruction of great empires, and has resulted in the deaths of many, due to disease and decadence.

This should be enough of a warning in itself.

Slavery was never endorsed by either the scriptures or the church. It was simply acknowledged as a fact of life, and dealt with.