Greetings
Brethren,
Is the confusion
regarding Slavery during the Roman Empire at the time of the Old and New
Testaments an attack on God, the Bible and
Christianity? Do the same people also condemn Islam as supporting slavery?
"There was
once a man who did not want Truth. He only wanted to place blame. In doing this
he never accepted any responsibility nor did he face reality. Thus when the
life rope was thrown to him by someone he perceived was an enemy he rejected
it. His rejection was based on his belief that this person did something he did
not. He did not know his real enemies or his real friends. He perished."
There was also a
man who often found a resting place under a tree that God created. He wanted to
know the Truth and he vowed to share any responsibility needed to obtain Truth.
He realized that even those close to you may be wrong and without sense. He
realized his responsibility and tried to help his kinsmen who were mis-informed. They frowned on him. However, he was able to
obtain Truth. He survived although without the company of those that did not
want Truth."
Peace and Love,
Carl Patton
writing for the FreedomJournal October 8, 2002 in the year of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
SLAVERY &
THE BIBLE: MYTH OR REALITY
PART 10: THE
SO-CALLED CHRISTIAN MESSAGES TO CHRISTIAN SLAVE OWNERS
In the name of Jehovah God, Master of the universe,
Ruler of the earth.
Grace be to God
our Father, our Savior Jesus Christ and the divine Holy Spirit so graciously
sent to us by God through Jesus Christ. Along the road of Truth there are many
obstacles. When shall we yield to a death to sin and a period of grace? Can the
Truth be known by those that do not believe? Can those that do not see God see
Truth? God is Truth.
We have come to
the New Testament messages that pertain to servant/slaves and the
owners/masters of servant/slaves. We pray Brethren that you will be patient and
digest the Truth of the Word that will be revealed here. We also pray that the
wise and the not so wise will be able to see Truth at this place. As we seek
not to add nor take anything away from the Word we note the following.
Ephesians 6:9.
"And ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening:
knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is
there respect of persons with him."
The message
noted here by Paul is also noted in his letter to Philemon who was the master
of Onesimus. (For the record Onesimus is noted as a common nickname for servant/slave).
Meanwhile the most important point here is that God did not play favorites.
Also of note is that all people masters/owners, servants/slaves etc. are equal in
the eyes of God. Therefore when the master or servants both embrace Christ they
become brothers.
Therefore, the
masters were to conduct themselves in a Christian manner remembering their
obligation to the Lord. The phrase "forbearing threatening," notes
the first word to mean cease using threats as a means of forcing the servant
into obedience. Meanwhile, the Apostle Paul makes direct reference to the
Heavenly Master in connection with the subject. (See II Corinthians 5:11 where
the Heavenly Master has threatened to punish all of the disobedient servants).
The final phrase
in this passage (“neither is there respect of persons with him") brings
greater clarity to the point just noted. The master that held himself in a
superior position because of his role was not the way of a Christian. Here we
see Paul instructing them that the Master in Heaven will not make any
distinction in His judgments. Thus the master and the slave or among the slaves
themselves would be judged without partiality.
We will now move
onto the Book of Colossians. Here we will find additional scripture that notes
specific messages to the Christians that were servants or masters. Our friend
and Brother Djeuthi Sundaka believes
that these scriptures justify slavery throughout history. Therefore many people
(erroneously) believe that God sanctions(ed)
slavery and oppression of other people. Meanwhile, we will begin with several
verses prior to the one noted by Brother Sundaka in Colossians 4:1.
Colossians
3:22-25. "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the
flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart,
fearing God:"
3:25. "But
he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is
no respect of persons."
In these
passages we see that Paul does not condemn or condone slavery. Nevertheless, Paul does explain that Christ transcends all class,
social, economic etc. divisions among the people of the earth. Meanwhile
servant/slaves are told to work hard and be responsible to their master/owner
as they are to Christ. Also, the master/owner is told to treat his
servant/slaves in a fair manner.
We also note
that God did not see it proper to interfere with the relation of master and
servant. For this relationship was only temporary. However regulations concerning
their conduct were restricted by God when either or both became
Christians. The faithful servants of the
Lord will receive a just reward. So will the unfaithful servant be punished?
Here we see the Word noting servant in the sense of service to God and not man.
Therefore if one is God's servant he will do what is asked of him by God. For the record again we note that this system
of servant/slaves and the regulations noted by the Word of God concerning the
people involved nowhere is to be extended to this day and time nor to a later
date of 1619 to 1865. We will hopefully bring this point out more
later. Yet for now we move to the primary verse noted by Brother
Sundaka.
Colossians 4:1.
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is
just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."
Here Paul notes
instructions to Masters and servants who became the servants of Christ Jesus.
They were hereby instructed to be just and fair. The phrase
"just and equal means they should furnish the servants with such wages as
their labor deserved and their needs required. The basic premise here is for the Masters to
be aware that also have a Master in Heaven. Were the Black Slaves in America
paid?
Cont. Part 11: Runaway Servant/Slaves Old and New Testament
carlpatton@tds.net