It is arguments such as yours that fall flat in the face of clear biblical content that does the most damage. As it demonstrates that Christians have no knowledge authority when they speak as they do not even know the content of the very writings they profess to have studied and wish to defend.
"20 “When a slaveowner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. 21 But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment, for the slave is the owner’s property." - Exodus 21:20-21
"44 As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. 45 You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you and from their families who are with you who have been born in your land; they may be your property. 46 You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves, but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness." - Leviticus 25:44-46
The Exodus passage goes on to say, ““When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye. If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth.”
Exodus 21:26-27
It’s important to do a comprehensive study of the Torahic legislation on slavery and not cherry pick. That’s why I listed so many passages in the article.
The Leviticus passage is about families of POWs since they were conquering the land and leaving the survivors destitute. Same with the wars initiated by the surrounding nations. The options for those left were slavery or starvation. Not a practice we would want or need today but a far cry from what happened in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Excellent article. The more recent “slave trade” was so different and barbaric, compared to the actual slave conditions from Scripture.
You are just wrong.
It is arguments such as yours that fall flat in the face of clear biblical content that does the most damage. As it demonstrates that Christians have no knowledge authority when they speak as they do not even know the content of the very writings they profess to have studied and wish to defend.
"20 “When a slaveowner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. 21 But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment, for the slave is the owner’s property." - Exodus 21:20-21
"44 As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. 45 You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you and from their families who are with you who have been born in your land; they may be your property. 46 You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves, but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness." - Leviticus 25:44-46
The Exodus passage goes on to say, ““When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye. If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth.”
Exodus 21:26-27
It’s important to do a comprehensive study of the Torahic legislation on slavery and not cherry pick. That’s why I listed so many passages in the article.
The Leviticus passage is about families of POWs since they were conquering the land and leaving the survivors destitute. Same with the wars initiated by the surrounding nations. The options for those left were slavery or starvation. Not a practice we would want or need today but a far cry from what happened in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Thank you, Jeremy. Very thought-provoking!