Why do you think Jesus didn't speak out against slavery?

Question

In the bible, there is no condemnation of slavery. Slavery was around before biblical times, and was present in Europe, Middle East and Africa during biblical times - when Jesus lived. It is one of the worst human rights abuses ever and luckily it is seen that way in our society. I wonder about why Jesus didn't take a stand against it.

Answer 1

Are you seriously wondering why, or are you just trying to imply that he supported it or had no problem with it? Because if you are just trying to discredit him, my answer will mean nothing to you.


But here is an answer if you are searching.

Slavery in 30AD was different than in 1830. Back then "slavery" was more commonly indentured servants. An indentured servant is when someone falls in debt to another person, and legally gives themselves up to work off the debt, so they may become the person's servant for a month or a year or so until their debt is repayed. This also goes along with Jesus in the Lord's prayer commenting on debtors. Jesus did not want to be a political force, he never really opposed ANYTHING Rome did (Render to Caesar's what is Caesar's). Also that verse "go the extra mile" is a local reference, the Jews were required to carry the Roman soldier's equipment for a mile if called upon, so Jesus told them to go the extra mile. Obviously he did not want to oppose Rome. Why? Well two possible reasons. One, because he knew Rome would not last anyway. Two, because if his followers were known as an anti-Roman sect, they would have been hunted down and butchered.

Jesus did not really concern himself (at least in public) with the political issues of Rome. He DID concern himself with the purity of the temple, as seen from turning over the merchant's tables. To Christ, whatever Rome did was irrevelent, what the church does is the important thing.

Paul also re-emphasized this in.... ohhh..... hmmm... I think Corinthians 1. 5:12, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you"

Also the Christians did not really have political power at that time, so no matter how much they opposed slavery it wouldn't matter. What they concerned themselves with is what they could do, and this led them to instruct kindness to masters or slaves. It does not endorse slavery, it just keeps it from being barbaric.

Answer 2

This tale became to instruct us, as Christians, how we could continuously publish to God's will. It became no longer merchandising slavery. He used the servant analogy because of the fact it became some thing that the folk ought to narrate to at that factor. Having servants or slaves became an undemanding prepare. As for why he did no longer "combat" against slavery---He became right here to fulfill a project, saving the international from sin. in keeping with danger you have heard of that before. He became sinless, and that's blasphemous to insinuate otherwise. Have some know--He died for you too.

Answer 3

Maybe Jesus did take a stand over slavery. As you are well aware the bible is not a factual report of everything that Jesus did in his life.

Answer 4

How about where Jesus said 'Treat others as you expect to be treated' OK what I have just written is a paraphrase, but in the new Testerment Jesus did say something very simular. I am sure that someone will answer the question with the xact words & verse.

Joolz

Answer 5

Do you have any idea what the ancient world was like? There was very little going on that we wouldn't consider a gross human rights abuse. Ever heard of a eunuch? Christ taught his essential message; we extrapolate from there. He wasn't composing a code of Hammurabi or anything. There would have been about 80,000 things He could have "spoken out" against if he wanted to cover all the bases. Plus,he had a short ministry.

Answer 6

Actions speak louder than words: he healed slaves and servants as well as those who were free, treating them just the same; he interacted with women (often treated like slaves) in a revolutionary way, as equals; he presented to all who could see and hear - regardless of their station in contemporary society - a living example of love in action, and told us to love our neighbour as ourselves. (And one of his most famous parables defined a neighbour as anyone who was in need and whose need we might meet and touch and heal.)

I suspect that if he had done nothing but walk up and down telling people what to do and what not to do, then we would never have heard of him. As it is, his memory - some would say his very life - lives on and inspires people twenty centuries down the line. (Of how many people can that be said?) And as we think on his words and deeds, we may ponder what the implications are for our own day.

Rich or poor, slave or free, Jesus treated people as people. It is to our shame that it took 1800 years and more to decide that slavery was no fit way for Christians to trade or run their businesses.

Answer 7

Slavery is not only not condemned by the bible is is approved of and it was quite common and accepted at the time of Jesus. He was a man of his time and no doubt saw nothing wrong with it.

Answer 8

slaves were like members of the family, and those who followed Jesus presumably knew what he thought of it because they spoke about treating your servants right. Jesus didn't come to point out every individual show of human rights abuse, he came to point the way to the father to every individual. don't forget it was a christian who got the slave trade abolished too.

Answer 9

Maybe because Jesus wasn't some divine ethics teacher. He was a product of his times.

Answer 10

We don't know that Jesus did not condemn slavery.

In fact we don't know ANYTHING that Jesus said. The only accounts we have were written at least 30 years after he died and have gone through multiple translations, until little of the original is left.