"Slavery" in the Bible

[POI]

Allow us readers to be very careful. We must make sure we identify the proper context here, to assure against hasty and/or self-serving conclusions.

Exodus 21:2-3:

"2 "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. 3 If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him." <-- Okay, this seems clear enough, if you are a purchased Hebrew, with a wife, you are both to go free in year 7.

Exodus 21:4:

"4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free." <-- Here is where things start to look sketchy for the modern-day believer. If the slave is provided with a wife, and they have kids, the wife and kids are to stay with the slave master. They are not to go free.

Exodus 21:5-6:

"5 "But if the servant declares, I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free, 6 then his master must take him before the judges.[a] He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life." <-- More uncomfortability for the Christian here. Without getting into the weeds, common sense suggests a special rule is made to trick the male Hebrew into remaining a slave for life.

Leviticus 25:44-46:

"44 "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. 45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. 46 You can bequeath them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly." <-- More awkwardness for the believer, as the Bible reader clammers to find a rationale to make this passage not read the way it does.

Here is a basic definition of chattel slavery --> "Chattel slavery is full slavery in its traditional form whereby slaves are the complete property of their master, can be bought and sold by him and treated in any way that he wishes, which may include torture and other brutality, excessively bad working conditions, and sexual exploitation"

Looks like all the ingredients fit the given Bible description here, minus the torture. Wait a minute, this is covered in the rest of Exodus 21. (i.e.):

"20 "Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property." <-- So basically, since the slave is your property, beatings with impunity are acceptable. Just don't kill them.

For debate:

By applying common sense, does/did the Bible ever, and/or currently still sanction chattel slavery?

Again, by using common sense, can a believer effectively use the Bible in support of breeding chattel slaves?

************************

Before you answer, consider this.... Since the NT does not mention the abolition of 'slavery', and yet the Bible makes further proclamation(s) and/or addendums (in favor of retaining 'slavery',) this means the Bible is not against chattel slavery either. Further, the Christian may want to introduce the importance of the 'golden rule'. However, the specifics outweigh the generals. The specifics of the rules for engagement of slavery are outside the 'golden rule'. Otherwise, the Bible would be a one-pager. 'Slavery' is an expressed exception to the general rule. Thus, anytime a specific scenario is not invoked, yes, 'golden rule.'

[POI]

Slavery, oppression, injustice, brutality, tyranny, and a host of other evils are most common among degenerate rebels against God. Christians who understand and serve God acceptibly oppose such wickedness.

Hmm, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, then why does the Bible condone it?

God directed His people on the proper treatment of slaves under the theocratic Jewish state in the Old Testament. Modern Christians have opposed slavery in the US for hundreds of years. The US is not a theocratic Jewish nation.

Again, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, why condone it at all? Why not just abolish it, like he abolished so many other things God does not like? God instead allowed for sanction beatings with impunity, instructed lifetime chattel slavery, and also gave instruction for slave breeding.

[marke]

Slavery, oppression, injustice, brutality, tyranny, and a host of other evils are most common among degenerate rebels against God. Christians who understand and serve God acceptibly oppose such wickedness.

Hmm, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, then why does the Bible condone it?

God directed His people on the proper treatment of slaves under the theocratic Jewish state in the Old Testament. Modern Christians have opposed slavery in the US for hundreds of years. The US is not a theocratic Jewish nation.

Again, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, why condone it at all? Why not just abolish it, like he abolished so many other things God does not like? God instead allowed for sanction beatings with impunity, instructed lifetime chattel slavery, and also gave instruction for slave breeding.

In ancirent cultures slavery was sometimes an alternative to starvation or execution.

[POI]

Slavery, oppression, injustice, brutality, tyranny, and a host of other evils are most common among degenerate rebels against God. Christians who understand and serve God acceptibly oppose such wickedness.

Hmm, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, then why does the Bible condone it?

God directed His people on the proper treatment of slaves under the theocratic Jewish state in the Old Testament. Modern Christians have opposed slavery in the US for hundreds of years. The US is not a theocratic Jewish nation.

Again, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, why condone it at all? Why not just abolish it, like he abolished so many other things God does not like? God instead allowed for sanction beatings with impunity, instructed lifetime chattel slavery, and also gave instruction for slave breeding.

In ancirent cultures slavery was sometimes an alternative to starvation or execution.

Hmm... Is this the reason(s) given as to why the Bible sanctions both chattel slavery and slave breeding? Further, God could think of no better solution(s), nor could God intervene to help the starving?

[marke]

Slavery, oppression, injustice, brutality, tyranny, and a host of other evils are most common among degenerate rebels against God. Christians who understand and serve God acceptibly oppose such wickedness.

Hmm, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, then why does the Bible condone it?

God directed His people on the proper treatment of slaves under the theocratic Jewish state in the Old Testament. Modern Christians have opposed slavery in the US for hundreds of years. The US is not a theocratic Jewish nation.

Again, if you agree slavery is evil and wicked, why condone it at all? Why not just abolish it, like he abolished so many other things God does not like? God instead allowed for sanction beatings with impunity, instructed lifetime chattel slavery, and also gave instruction for slave breeding.

In ancirent cultures slavery was sometimes an alternative to starvation or execution.

Hmm... Is this the reason(s) given as to why the Bible sanctions both chattel slavery and slave breeding? Further, God could think of no better solution(s), nor could God intervene to help the starving?

God gave ancient Jews instructions about dealing with slaves. There are no such instructions for Christians and God does not sanction slavery in America.

[POI]

God gave ancient Jews instructions about dealing with slaves. There are no such instructions for Christians and God does not sanction slavery in America.

When the NT was written, it further reinforces slavery laws instead of abolishing them. Jesus also had no problem telling folks what he did and did not like. All Jesus would have had to do is tell folks that slavery is bad or evil. He never did. Hence, your answer above is irrelevant. The Bible condones chattel slavery and slave breeding forever.

[marke]

God gave ancient Jews instructions about dealing with slaves. There are no such instructions for Christians and God does not sanction slavery in America.

When the NT was written, it further reinforces slavery laws instead of abolishing them. Jesus also had no problem telling folks what he did and did not like. All Jesus would have had to do is tell folks that slavery is bad or evil. He never did. Hence, your answer above is irrelevant. The Bible condones chattel slavery and slave breeding forever.

Whatever humans do is sin if not done by faith in what God has said. God does not encourage Christrians to participate in the worldly practice of slavery.

Romans 14:23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

[POI]

God does not encourage Christrians to participate in the worldly practice of slavery.

Yes he does.

Colossians 3:22-24 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that Gods name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.

Titus 2:910 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Ephesians 6:58, "Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ."

Romans 14:23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Well, the true faithful are apparently okay with enforcing slavery practices.

[marke]

God does not encourage Christrians to participate in the worldly practice of slavery.

Yes he does.

Colossians 3:22-24 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The interpretation: Christians, if you find yourself in slavery then treat your masters with respect and obedience.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that Gods name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.

Interpretation: Same as above.

Titus 2:910 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Interpretation: Same as above.

Ephesians 6:58, "Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ."

Interpretation: Same as above.

Romans 14:23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

God does not instruct Christians to engage in criminal, evil, unjust, or wicked trafficking in humans slaves.

Well, the true faithful are apparently okay with enforcing slavery practices.

Christians are taught to trust God whether in slavery themselves or not. That does not mean that God want Christians to support the wicked trafficking in human slaves.

[1213]

The Bible sanctions beating with impunity, as long as the slave does not die. How does this apply to the "golden rule" in any capacity?

I think I have already shown that is not true. For example:

If a man strikes his servant's eye, or his maid's eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. If he strikes out his man-servant's tooth, or his maid-servant's tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.
Exod. 21:26-27

Also, if the slave could not work, because of the beating, it would be a punishment for the owner who would lose workforce.

But, it is true that in Bible there is not really "punishment" for beating. You could even beat your own children, without getting sentence. However, if you live by the golden rule, you don't beat anyone, unless maybe if it is actually the right thing to do.

But the Bible states that the women and children are not to go free, as the males do. This means it is not the slave's choice at all, in these cases.

The owner has by the rules right to keep them, but, if one follows the golden rule, he allows them to go, if they want to go.

[marke]

The Bible sanctions beating with impunity, as long as the slave does not die. How does this apply to the "golden rule" in any capacity?

I think I have already shown that is not true. For example:

If a man strikes his servant's eye, or his maid's eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. If he strikes out his man-servant's tooth, or his maid-servant's tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.
Exod. 21:26-27

Also, if the slave could not work, because of the beating, it would be a punishment for the owner who would lose workforce.

But, it is true that in Bible there is not really "punishment" for beating. You could even beat your own children, without getting sentence. However, if you live by the golden rule, you don't beat anyone, unless maybe if it is actually the right thing to do.

But the Bible states that the women and children are not to go free, as the males do. This means it is not the slave's choice at all, in these cases.

The owner has by the rules right to keep them, but, if one follows the golden rule, he allows them to go, if they want to go.

God's rules dealing with slaves in the OT do not pertain to American Christians today.

Romans 3:19
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.