Changes

===New Testament===

===New Testament===

Under the New Testament,  the primitive church as a model organic community had no slavery (Acts 2:41-47), but it initially grew within the slave states of [[Greece]] and [[Rome]], and in which Christian faith was was oppressed persecuted. As the practice of slavery seems so antithetical by nature to the second Great Commandment, esp. at least as was common practiced, the regulation of it rather than an outright repudiation of it by the church - in which all races are spiritually one - (Gal 3:28) appears problematic. However, under the N.T. the totality of commands regarding slavery radically reformed it, and while slaves were only recommended to obtain freedom, and owners were not outright commanded to give them such, yet it is seen as working toward such, with slavery being left as a cultural appendage that the fuller outworking of Holy Christian love could jettison when a greatly revived church and social/political opportunity enabled it.  Applying the requirements of equal pay and fair and merciful Christian treatment enabled tolerance of slavery without a radical change in the entrenched economic system, in a society in which opposition to slavery at that time likely would have made it worse for the slaves. Instead, the primitive church, much of which was made up of slaves, focused on freeing souls from spiritual bondage, and of being victorious and useful in whatever situation they were found, and being a "holy nation" themselves.

Under the New Testament,  the primitive church as a model organic community had no slavery (Acts 2:41-47), but it initially grew within the slave states of [[Greece]] and [[Rome]], and in which Christian faith was was oppressed persecuted. As the practice of slavery seems so antithetical by nature to the second Great Commandment, esp. at least as was common practiced, the regulation of it rather than an outright repudiation of it by the church - in which all races are spiritually one - (Gal 3:28) appears problematic. However, under the N.T. the totality of commands regarding slavery radically reformed it, and while slaves were only recommended to obtain freedom, and owners were not outright commanded to give them such, yet it is seen as working toward such, with slavery being left as a cultural appendage that the fuller outworking of Holy Christian love could jettison when a greatly revived church and social/political opportunity enabled it.  Applying the requirements of fraternal love enabled tolerance of slavery without a radical change in the entrenched economic system, in a society in which opposition to slavery at that time likely would have made it worse for the slaves. Instead, the primitive church, much of which was made up of slaves, focused on freeing souls from spiritual bondage, and of being victorious and useful in whatever situation they were found, and being a "holy nation" themselves.  

 

While for much of her history [[Roman Catholicism]] opposed slavery,<ref>[http://columba11.blogspot.com/2007/02/christianity-abolishes-slavery.html how Christianity abolished slavery]</ref> the modern influence of Christians in influencing the abolition of slavery was much a result of the outworking of the [[Reformation]] and the evangelical [[Second Great Awakening]] and the freedom to effect political change, and statesmen who were likeminded toward abolition and even equality (which was seldom initially the same).  

In the New Testament, Christian slaves are admonished to obey their masters, "as to the Lord, and not to men" ({{bibleverse||Ephesians|6:5-8|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Colossians|3:22-25}}; {{bibleverse|1|Timothy|6:1}}; {{bibleverse||Titus|2:9-10}}; {{bibleverse|1|Peter|2:18}}), with the like attitude being required of masters toward their servants, as they also had a Master in Heaven. Masters were to act without threatening ({{bibleverse||Ephesians|6:9}}), rendering just and equal recompense to their servants ({{bibleverse||Colossians|4:1|KJV}}), with freedom being the ideal for slaves if it could be lawfully obtained ({{bibleverse|1|Corinthians|7:21-23|KJV}}).  

In the New Testament, Christian slaves are admonished to obey their masters, "as to the Lord, and not to men" ({{bibleverse||Ephesians|6:5-8|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Colossians|3:22-25}}; {{bibleverse|1|Timothy|6:1}}; {{bibleverse||Titus|2:9-10}}; {{bibleverse|1|Peter|2:18}}), with the like attitude being required of masters toward their servants, as they also had a Master in Heaven. Masters were to act without threatening ({{bibleverse||Ephesians|6:9}}), rendering just and equal recompense to their servants ({{bibleverse||Colossians|4:1|KJV}}), with freedom being the ideal for slaves if it could be lawfully obtained ({{bibleverse|1|Corinthians|7:21-23|KJV}}).  

In contrast to laws regarding slavery, purely moral laws of the Old Testament, versus judicial and civil legislation, are affirmed and even made stricter. <ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/Homosex_versus_the_Bible.html#Sex Sex Laws versus Slavery]</ref>

In contrast to laws regarding slavery, purely moral laws of the Old Testament, versus judicial and civil legislation, are affirmed and even made stricter. <ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/Homosex_versus_the_Bible.html#Sex Sex Laws versus Slavery]</ref>

====References====

====References====

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Bible]]

[[Category:Bible]]