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===Old Testament===

===Old Testament===

The Hebrew Bible sanctioned the use of its regulated forms of slavery, in a world in which slavery existed as a long established socio-economic institution. This sanction was often used to justify slavery later on. The Old Testament requirements were both similar to other cultures as well as often being counter-cultural in making it more humane,<ref>[http://www.comereason.org/soc_culture/soc060 anthropologist Dexter Callender]</ref> and are contrasted to slavery based upon race, such as when the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/history/slavery_1.shtml Slavery and the Torah] - bbc.co.uk</ref>  The law of Moses broadly prohibits the permanent enslavement of the native inhabitants of Israel but permits the enslavement of immigrants and the occupants of other countries. Depending on the precise circumstances, ethnicity, nationality and any enslaved relatives of a slave, some must be freed after a specified time, while others remained slaves for life.

The Hebrew Bible sanctioned the use of its regulated forms of slavery, in a world in which slavery existed as a long established socio-economic institution. This sanction was often used to justify slavery later on. The Old Testament requirements were both similar to other cultures as well as often being counter-cultural in making it more humane,<ref>[http://www.comereason.org/soc_culture/soc060 anthropologist Dexter Callender]</ref> and are contrasted to slavery based upon race, such as when the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/history/slavery_1.shtml Slavery and the Torah] - bbc.co.uk</ref>  The law of Moses broadly prohibits the permanent enslavement of the native inhabitants of Israel but permits the enslavement of immigrants and the occupants of other countries. Depending on the precise circumstances, ethnicity, nationality and any enslaved relatives of a slave, some must be freed after a specified time, while others remained slaves for life.

The first mention in the Bible of slaves (servants in some translations) being used is that of Abraham's army, by which home-born servants he rescued his nephew Lot. ({{bibleverse||Genesis|14:14-16|KJV}})

The first mention in the Bible of slaves (servants in some translations) being used is that of Abraham's army, by which home-born servants he rescued his nephew Lot. ({{bibleverse||Genesis|14:14-16|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 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}}).  

The [[Epistle to Philemon]] by the [[apostle Paul]] was an important text in regard to slavery, and was used by both pro slavery advocates and abolitionists,<ref>Religion and the Antebellum Debate Over Slavery, by John R. McKivigan, Mitchell Snay</ref><ref>[http://medicolegal.tripod.com/cheevergvs.htm#p140 God Against Slavery], p. 140, by Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D</ref> the former because Paul is returning Philemon, an escaped slave back to his master Onesimus,  seemingly in contrast to Old Testament law. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|23:15-16|KJV}})  However, as Roman law required the return of escaped slaves, not returning Onesimus would have left him a ''servus fugitivus'',<ref>Encyclopedic Dictionary of Roman Law, by Adolf Berger</ref> with a bounty on his head and perhaps a brand on his back.<ref>[http://www.classicsunveiled.com/romel/html/slavery.html Rome Exposed - Roman Life]</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/slavery_04.shtml] Resisting Slavery in Ancient Rome By Professor Keith Bradle</ref> Moreover, Paul made it clear he was not returning a slave, but one whom was to be received back no longer "as a slave, but as a brother beloved" (he had been converted by Paul while both were imprisoned), even as Paul's own son or Paul himself, though Paul would have preferred Philemon to remain and minister in place of Onesimus. Paul further offers to pay for any debt owed by Philemon ({{bibleverse||Philemon|1:1-25|KJV}}).  

The [[Epistle to Philemon]] by the [[apostle Paul]] was an important text in regard to slavery, and was used by both pro slavery advocates and abolitionists,<ref>Religion and the Antebellum Debate Over Slavery, by John R. McKivigan, Mitchell Snay</ref><ref>[http://medicolegal.tripod.com/cheevergvs.htm#p140 God Against Slavery], p. 140, by Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D</ref> the former because Paul is returning Philemon, an escaped slave back to his master Onesimus,  seemingly in contrast to Old Testament law. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|23:15-16|KJV}})  However, as Roman law required the return of escaped slaves, not returning Onesimus would have left him a ''servus fugitivus'',<ref>Encyclopedic Dictionary of Roman Law, by Adolf Berger</ref> with a bounty on his head and perhaps a brand on his back.<ref>[http://www.classicsunveiled.com/romel/html/slavery.html Rome Exposed - Roman Life]</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/slavery_04.shtml] Resisting Slavery in Ancient Rome By Professor Keith Bradle</ref> Moreover, Paul made it clear he was not returning a slave, but one whom was to be received back no longer "as a slave, but as a brother beloved" (he had been converted by Paul while both were imprisoned), even as Paul's own son or Paul himself, though Paul would have preferred Philemon to remain and minister in place of Onesimus. Paul further offers to pay for any debt owed by Philemon ({{bibleverse||Philemon|1:1-25|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>