The Bible & Slavery
Slavery is challenged nowhere in the New or Old Testaments; slave holders in the old south used the Bible to defend their practice… it was conversation not faith that ended slavery
Sam Harris
1.	The Old Testament & Slavery
Slavery was universal in Old Testament times
A fundamental OT concept
Slaves are fully human – Job 31:13-15
An institution with limits
A general admonition not to “rule harshly” - Lev 25:43, Deu 15:14
The rights of slaves – Exodus 21
Limited duration - six years – Exo 21:2-6, Deu 15:12-18, or sometimes until Jubilee – Lev 29:25-43
Kidnapping etc punishable by death – Exo 21:16 Deu 24:7
Some remaining questions?
Foreign slaves had lesser rights.
In institution with a positive purpose
The solution for insolvency - Exo 22:3, Deu 15:12
The possibility of voluntary slavery – Exo 21:5-6
Provisions on leaving slave status –Deu 15:13-15, Lev 25:28
2.	The New Testament & Slavery
Slavery is not treated as an absolute evil
It tells slaves that they can still glorify God as slaves Eph 6
Col 3
It acknowledges the possibility of slave-owning Christians – Eph 6:9, Col 4:1
But masters must provide what is “right and fair” - Col 4:1
Slaves should seek emancipation if it is possible - 1 Cor 7:21, Philemon
Slave-trading is a sin – 1 Tim 1:10
3.	Abolitionists and the Bible
 “of one blood”
Acts 17:26, Gen 1:26-27
Oh fool! See the 17th chapter of the Acts, verse 26: “God hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth 
Olaudah Equiano

I am apt to suspect the negroes and in general all the other species of men (for there are four or five different kinds) to be naturally inferior to the whites. There never was a civilized nation of any other complexion than white, nor even any individual eminent either in action or speculation…. In Jamaica indeed they talk of one negroe as a man of parts and learning; but ‘tis likely he is admired for very slender accomplishments, like a parrot, who speaks a few words plainly.  Hume, Of National Characters
Hume 
“deliverance to the captives”
Exodus tradition, Luke 4:18 Hannah More
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, (Lk 4:18)
 “love thy neighbour as thyself”
Luke 10:27, James 2:8, Granville Sharp
“vengeance is mine”
e.g. Romans 12:19, Cowper
See also John Coffey The Abolition of the Slave Trade http://www.jubilee-centre.org/cambridge_papers/index.php
4.	Questions
Review the main Old Testament texts.  What questions about Old Testament slavery remain in your mind?  Do Christians need to defend the Old Testament or just accept it as superseded by the New?
Review the main New Testament texts.  Why does the New Testament tolerate slavery?  In what ways does the New Testament undermine slavery?
Review the biblical arguments of the abolitionists.  Are they sound?
What would your summary answer be to Sam Harris that the Bible contains “not a hint of criticism” of slavery?
How can we today be more driven by scripture in our public and private practice?
What do you think are the burning issues for today?
How do you think that the Lord is prompting you to respond?