How was the Bible used to reduce modern slavery?
Upvote:3
Abolitionists generally took an indirect approach in arguing against slavery. Acknowledging that slavery appears in the Bible without an absolute prohibition, they argued from basic Christian principles.
John Hepburn, an 18th century Quaker from New Jersey, built a case against slavery (PDF) based on the ideas of free will and the Golden Rule. First, because God doesn't force and compel our will (e.g. Romans 2:4, Titus 2:11, 2 Peter 3:9), we ought not to compel other people. Second, because Jesus commanded us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us (Matthew 7:12) we cannot make slaves of our fellow human beings.
John Wesley argued that the practice of slavery revealed the condition of the slaveholder's heart (see pages 52-53). He used the phrase from Hebrews 3:7-8, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" to urge slaveholders to end the practice.
But if your heart does relent, though in a small degree, know it is a call from the GOD of love. And to day, if you hear his voice, harden not your heart.--To day resolve, GOD being your helper, to escape for your life.--Regard not money! All that a man hath will he give for his life? Whatever you lose, lose not your soul: nothing can countervail that loss. Immediately quit the horrid trade: At all events, be an honest man.
19th century theologian Albert Barnes wrote the nearly 400-page An Inquiry Into the Scriptural Views of Slavery, tackling the Bible's pro-slavery texts by reinterpreting them in light of the Golden Rule.
Upvote:9
I think this could easily become an answer about American history and and politics unless we confine our answer to usage of the Bible. Flimsy is right in his comment above - the Bible does not condone slavery, but it does not officially abolish the institution (much like the US Constitution). What it does do is place Christ in the master-slave relationship, giving even slavery the possibility of redemption.
Colossians 4:1 (KJV)
1 "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."Colossians 3:22 (KJV)
22 "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:"
These verses do not answer for using the Bible to abolish slavery, but they could justify a move to abolish it, since it has "become destructive of these [Christ-Centered] ends" and so it is their duty "to alter or abolish it." At least in the United States. In first-century Roman society, it wasn't written in the social framework to be able to reform slavery, or any institution for that matter. But Christians everywhere in all societies do what they can to proclaim Christ until He comes, as many abolitionists did in their efforts.
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