Slavery & Bible - Philemon and Onisimos

Have you ever heard this?

The Bible is outdated, and cannot be trusted because it condones slavery? 

I think they could rightfully condemn Christians of being hypocrites, and I mean no offense by that! But if you want to attack the Bible you need to stop making it say stuff that it really does not say, and take the Class of NT Background Class to understand the culture and context in which the texts were written.


I went on a website called  evilbible.com – the moto being “Fighting against immorality in religion”? Why can't you just fight for immorality in real life? Do you know any Christian who owns slaves?

The blogger takes passages out of their context trying to laugh at Bible believing Christians, saying things like: a Christian can buy as many sex slaves as he wants, as long as he feeds them, and clothes them, with no evidents. Just because the Bible holds a story about a woman getting raped, does not mean it condones Rape does it? And then again, some Biblical Passages are more difficult to Understand, during war, God tells the Israelites to go into villages, killing everyone and they can take the virgins for themselves, which shocks me too. No Christian interprets that verse to mean that we should do what Israel was commanded to do during war. And If you think you understand the Bible better than Bible Scholars, well good for you!

The Bible never condemns slavery, that is true. But it rather outrageously tells slaves to submit to their master as it is pleasing to the Lord. (Col 3:22; Eph 6:5). And Christian Masters are to respect, and love their slaves.


Let's look at Jesus -

 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
⁸     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Because we have that kind of Savior, when we are commanded to serve, we do, or should do it gladly!

Having said that I still think the question: why doesn't the Bible Condemn Slavery? Is a good question! A simple answer is, well does it encourage it? What it does say is that if you are going to be someone's slave, be the best slave the master has ever seen so that Christ will be glorified, the Kingdom may advance, the Master can get to know Christ, and Christ be proclaimed to all the nations!  That would be a way better witness about Christ than a rebellious slave!

Let's look at Paul's letter to Philemon:

With the Historical background of the time, and the knowledge of what is was at that time to be a slave, we will see how amazing this passage truly was.

Summary of the Letter to Philemon:

• Greeting (1-3)
• Philemon's love and faith (4-7)
  • Philemon is a real Christian
    • Paul mentions his love, and faith towards Jesus and the Saints (v.5)
    • Sharing his faith (v.6)
    • Paul feels joy when he thinks of his brother in Christ Philemon (v.7)
      • after reading Paul's letter he does not feel like the kind of guy that would rejoice with an evil doer!
  • So I repeat Philemon is a good Christian!
• Paul's plea for Onesimus (8-22)
  • Onesimus Good Christian
    • Helpful to Paul
    • a beloved brother
  • Paul asks Philemon to receive his runaway slave back,
    • if you are a slave running away from your master, once you leave there is no stability of food, or anything, temptation to steal is very high.
  • Paul takes this in mind saying that if he has wrong Philemon in anyway, he will repay for him.

What was it like to be a slave back then?? When I think of slaves, I think: of a black person being whipped, I have this one picture in my mind, I see this man, in agony. So anything but condemnation is unacceptable in my eyes. And I think it is with this perspective that some skepticts faith the Bible. So what was is like back then?

• Slavery was a basic element in ancient society.
  • Who were they?: prisoners of war, sold child to pay debt, some people sold themselves.
• Status: they were things, living property.
• What this looked like in real life could vary a lot.
  • Some were probably treated really poorly, they worked in mines really long hours, they weren't expected to live long
  • Some had important roles in society, imperial slaves, could have high administrative functions in the bureaucracy. Others like Alfred in Batman, slaves who tended house hold affairs, cared for children, could have been responsible for the children's education.
  • Some slaves even got paid. It feels like the slaves with the best conditions lived better than poor freemen! ¹

How does this help us to better understand the text?!

• A master had the legal right to kill a runaway slave,² So Onesimus feared for his life!
• The word slave, had very broad meaning, we clearly see that though Philemon could kill, Onesimus, Paul exposes the teachings of the “Christian way of doing things”. To show him kindness, as he would to a family member (v. 16)
• The person accused of condoning slavery is sacrificially giving up a friend who is useful to him. And pleading that that is friend Philemon will accept his old slaves as a brother, as family, rather than punishing him.
• From what I read, the broadness of slavery makes it hard to narrow down to one kind of slave, but I feel like being the slave of a Christian would be a good job!
• I remember a friend trying to explain that being God's slave was awesome, think of the greatest boss you've ever had, because serving God is having to serve the greatest master on the universe!
   

We think slavery is something of the past, but it is not:

• But today there are 27 million people in the world who are subject to slavery: forced labor, sex trade, inheritable property, etc.
• I think saying that the Bible condones slavery today, is an outrageous statement,
• But if we think of slaves today, and apply what Paul teaches about slaves, would they still look like slaves in our minds?
  • Col 4:1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness,
  • Eph 6 Masters treating their slaves in a way pleasing to God, not threatening

To Conclude: The Bible does not condemn slavery: but it is wrong to say the Bible condones it, because if those who applied what the Bible taught, their slaves would not look at all like slaves as we would know them.

In the 1^st century, slaves were part of everyday society, some say 1/5 of the inhabitants of Rome. Officially they were not worth more than an object, so Paul's instructions on how to treat Slaves in Christ are truly shocking for the time of his writing, and they really helped Christians distinguish themselves from non-believers, so that people would know they were Jesus' disciples, and God would be glorified!

³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

1Furgason

2Life application Bible p. 2084 under 1:10