Slave

[Menotu]

I've seen some on here mention they are 'a slave to Christ'.
Does this mean exactly what it says?
Is it symbolic?
Is it even healthy?
Or should every Christina consider themselves, a 'slave to Christ' in the most strict standards?

[Zzyzx]

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I was going to refrain from responding on this thread, but it seems there may be some misunderstandings on what this means (at least to me).

(For those who have suggested it is unbiblical, remember that Christ also took the form of a slave and He came to SERVE.

Yes, some Apologists debating the topic appear to misunderstand (or distort) the meaning of slavery.

They may not understand the difference between 'serve' and 'servitude' (or slavery). Servitude is defined as: a condition in which one lacks liberty especially to determine one's course of action or way of life www.merriam-webster.co

This fits with definitions of slavery presented repeatedly above.

To 'serve' has multiple meanings that do NOT include servitude:

to put food onto a plate for someone
to do a job or to perform duties for a person or organization
to help to achieve something
to provide a group of people or an area with something useful
to help customers to buy goods in a store, especially by bringing them things or helping them to choose what they need
www.macmillandictionary.com

Perhaps some fanatical religionists feel as though they "lack liberty especially to determine one's course of action or way of life". However, they DO have the ability to renounce the controlling agent to do as they please, AND their actions are voluntary. Perhaps they feel constrained by fear or by some notion of religious fervency.

[tam]

Peace to you,

.

I was going to refrain from responding on this thread, but it seems there may be some misunderstandings on what this means (at least to me).

(For those who have suggested it is unbiblical, remember that Christ also took the form of a slave and He came to SERVE.

Yes, some Apologists debating the topic appear to misunderstand (or distort) the meaning of slavery.

I'm not sure it is (or is just) apologists.


But to clear up any further misunderstanding that might not have been made clear in my post, here is a link to the meaning being employed:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/le ... 1401&t=NLT


Here are some examples of it being used:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/ ... rimary_0_1



Peace again to you!

[Zzyzx]

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[Replying to post 52 by tam]

Thank you for providing reference to religious use of the term 'slave'.

However, we do not debate in church or with the assumption that Bible meanings prevail. Communication is hindered when in public discourse some revert to biblical meanings for words (or religious jargon or, sometimes, personal definitions) rather than common-use definitions.

[tam]

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[Replying to post 52 by tam]

Thank you for providing reference to religious use of the term 'slave'.

However, we do not debate in church or with the assumption that Bible meanings prevail. Communication is hindered when in public discourse some revert to biblical meanings for words (or religious jargon or, sometimes, personal definitions) rather than common-use definitions.

(To the bold)... Perhaps not, but the OP questions what it means to be a slave [to] Christ. Seems appropriate then look and to understand what is meant by that term where and when it originated.



Peace again to you.

[Zzyzx]

.

Thank you for providing reference to religious use of the term 'slave'.

However, we do not debate in church or with the assumption that Bible meanings prevail. Communication is hindered when in public discourse some revert to biblical meanings for words (or religious jargon or, sometimes, personal definitions) rather than common-use definitions.

(To the bold)... Perhaps not, but the OP questions what it means to be a slave [to] Christ. Seems appropriate then look and to understand what is meant by that term where and when it originated.

I do not disagree with examining the origin of 'slave of Christ'; however, in public use the term 'slave' is used differently from meanings which might apply in conversation between believers.

This is public discussion. If one intends to be understood, they are well advised to use words as they are defined in general-use dictionaries.

Fellow believers may accept the use of 'slave', but readers here are not restricted to believers (which may be of no concern to those who just wish to present their own opinion or defend use of religious jargon in public discourse.

During the past 24 hours 357 visitors have viewed these threads. Most are likely to consider slavery as the term is generally used in society.

[tam]

Peace to you,

.

Thank you for providing reference to religious use of the term 'slave'.

However, we do not debate in church or with the assumption that Bible meanings prevail. Communication is hindered when in public discourse some revert to biblical meanings for words (or religious jargon or, sometimes, personal definitions) rather than common-use definitions.

(To the bold)... Perhaps not, but the OP questions what it means to be a slave [to] Christ. Seems appropriate then look and to understand what is meant by that term where and when it originated.

I do not disagree with examining the origin of 'slave of Christ'; however, in public use the term 'slave' is used differently from meanings which might apply in conversation between believers.

Hence, I assume, the OP question. A question that has been answered. Not sure what more there is (for me) to say on the matter that was not already addressed in my original post on this thread.


Peace again to you.

[JehovahsWitness]

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[Replying to post 52 by tam]

Thank you for providing reference to religious use of the term 'slave'.

However, we do not debate in church or with the assumption that Bible meanings prevail.

They "prevail" when the question is what the bible or a believer means when employing the term. If biblical usage of slave is "a voluntary engagement to dedicate ones life to God based on love of that One" all opposers can do is point out the obvious that that departs from the conventional use. That the poster is using the word in this sense is no open to debate.

Christian slavedom departs from the conventional slavedom in a number of areas, it is irrelevant if such departures do not reflect dictionary definitions.





JW

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 42 by Zzyzx]

Yes I got that wrong and it is significant.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 48 by Zzyzx]

Hey you helped me when I misquoted the Bible. The least I can do is help you. In fact I have to, the master insists.

Also add to that list ideology. People are slaves to ideas far too often.

Would anyone here like to write to Vox on their use of slavery?

https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/scienc ... rry-turkle

What about The Guardian?

https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... r-burkeman

How come major newspapers can understand these basic concepts but atheists and non theists can't?

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 59 by Wootah]

Add to that list any number of addictions including pornography.