The issue of slavery and its apparent condonation in the Bible is a complex and sensitive topic that has prompted considerable discussion and debate. To address this question, it’s important to consider the historical, cultural, and theological contexts of biblical times.

Firstly, it’s crucial to recognize that the forms of servitude and slavery mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, are different from the race-based chattel slavery that was prevalent in modern times, especially in the transatlantic slave trade. In biblical times, slavery often arose as a result of debt, war, or poverty and was one of the social structures within ancient societies. The laws given to Israel through Moses included regulations for the treatment of slaves, which, by the standards of the surrounding cultures, were relatively humane. For example, the book of Exodus contains laws that protect the rights of slaves:

• Exodus 21:16: “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” This verse explicitly condemns kidnapping a person for the purpose of enslavement.
• Exodus 21:20-21: This passage acknowledges the punishment of slaves but also implies legal consequences for a master who causes the death of a slave, indicating that slaves were regarded as persons with certain legal rights.
• Leviticus 25:39-43: Instructs that an Israelite who becomes indebted and sells himself into servitude to another Israelite should not be treated as a slave but as a hired worker or temporary resident and is to be released in the Year of Jubilee.

In the New Testament, the approach to slavery reflects the early Christian community’s position within the Roman Empire, where slavery was an entrenched institution. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasized the spiritual equality of all believers, regardless of their social status:

• Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This verse underscores the equality of all believers in Christ.
• Philemon: This entire letter from Paul to Philemon makes a personal appeal for the release of Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon and become a Christian. Paul encourages Philemon to welcome Onesimus back “no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother.”

These passages and others show that while the Bible does not explicitly call for the abolition of slavery as an institution in society, it plants the seeds for a vision of human equality and dignity that challenges the institution of slavery. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles on love, mercy, and brotherhood have inspired countless believers throughout history to work against slavery and for the rights and dignity of all people.

The Bible’s treatment of slavery is part of its broader message of redemption, focusing on spiritual freedom and liberation from sin through Jesus Christ. It is within this larger biblical narrative of redemption that the discussion of slavery and its moral implications can be more fully understood.