Recently, a good friend of mine gifted a book to me called “Slave”. The book is written by John MacArthur. Though it ultimately contains a Calvinist flavor which is a sorely faulty doctrine, the information and viewpoint the book has to offer on the chosen slavery of Christians is exceptional. I highly recommend the book. However, the purpose of this article is not to provide a book review. The objective is to demonstrate how the corruption of slavery has abounded in the world and how it is currently crippling nations. Examined in this article will be the Christian, slavery in the first century, slavery in the early United States, and even wider spread slavery today not only in the United States, but the world at large. There is certainly a Godly message that will be shared, but also an important social and political message that will be conveyed as well. Yes, men are slaves to sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 7:23), but this will not be the slavery to be discussed.
The greek term “doulos” used over one hundred times in the New Testament means slave. Yet, many biblical translations (for many reasons) use the term servant, which certainly has a different connotation (all verses quoted in this article using the term doulous will be appropriately translated slave). Christians should not avoid the term slave, but love it, for they are indeed slaves of Christ. Christians are cared for by a good master (Luke 18:18, John 10:11). Yet, Christ does not exist as some sort of Santa Claus to give Christians a life of luxury and ease, forgiving their every blatant disobedience as if they deserved it by simply calling themselves Christians. Yes, a number of Christian’s lives demonstrate they believe this as they fail to serve Christ each and every day. Jesus is not fooled. He knows whether or not a person loves him. Jesus states in John 14:15: “If you love me keep my commandments.” There is no reward for a lazy, disobedient slave (Matthew 25:24-26). The relationship is very clear. The disobedient to Christ will meet a horrible end (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Romans 2:7-11, I Peter 4:17). The Christian is supposed to die to themselves and live for only Christ (Galatians 2:20). Yet, many play church, play Christian, and pretend godliness. Christianity is not about just avoiding things which are bad, but doing things which are good – and commanded (Matthew 5:44, 25:41-46, Galatians 6:1-2, 10, James 1:27, 2:15-16, I Thessalonians 5:15).
MacArthur’s book clearly demonstrates through the use of scripture that a Christian is a slave. However, this is again, not the objective of this article. So the focus will now turn to the life of a slave in the time of Jesus and the expectation of a slave. In the first century slavery was wide spread. Even former slaves would have slaves. Mac Arthur states that “Roughly one-fifth of the [Roman] empire’s population were slaves – totally as many as twelve million at the outset of the first Century AD”. (1) Slaves worked in all manners of professions and were of all ages, races, and sexes. Loyal slaves received honor and were treated well, however, do not misunderstand their position. Macarthur quoting the book “The Civilization of Rome” states “The slave had, in principle, no rights, no legal status whatsoever; he was a chattel owned by his master.” (1) A Christian is in this exact state. Their life exists only to serve Christ (Ephesians 2:10). The Bible is provided so that man can do exactly that (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!
The Bible does not condemn slavery in any sense as some might expect. Rather, it upholds slavery and gives guidelines for it.
Ephesians 6:5-8 – Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
Colossians 3:22-25 – Slaves, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
1 Timothy 6:1-2 – Let as many slaves as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Titus 2:9-10 – Exhort slaves to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
The above verses are very clear that a slave must obey his master. It is his duty and it ultimately glorifies God. This does not give Masters any license to abuse their slave. There are guidelines for care of the slave:
Colossians 4:1 – Masters, give unto your slaves that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Ephesians 6:9 – And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
These verses express the responsibility of a Master to treat his slave with kindness. That kindness does not excuse the slave from work or forbid the master from commanding it. Ephesians 6:9 stresses a master’s kindness that is equal to that of the slave (see above verses from Ephesians 6:5-8), but of critical importance is the identification that they too have a Master who is in heaven. This identifies the masters as being slaves as well. None are exempt from serving God, for even Jesus humbled himself as a slave and did all that God commanded him:
Philippians 2:7-8 – But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a slave, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
John 5:30 – I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 12:49-50 – For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.
For those that think God is the kind of master who just wants you to be happy and never experience any discomfort in your life, consider the great work mixed with persecution and ultimately crucifixion that God expected of Jesus. Is the Christian greater than Jesus? Slaves of the first century, though cared for by their masters in either good or bad fashion, had the duty to serve. They had no choice in the matter unless they desired punishment. Work was expected of the slave.
In early American History, there were a large number of slaves. Some had good masters, others did not. Unfortunately, unlike the Biblical view of slaves being humans who deserved to be treated with kindness like their masters, a large number were not. Was this different from a great number of slaves throughout the world, in many ages before, during, and after the first century? Sadly, it was not. Unfortunately, unkind slavery has struck practically every race the world has known at one time or another. Yet, the slaves of America were provided for in one way or another by their masters. Those slaves generally received food, clothing, medical care, and shelter as in the Roman times for they were considered an asset of a master by which he expected a profitable return. As in past ages, a lazy, disobedient slave was punished. The slaves were expected to serve. They were expected to work. They did not have the choice to lay about and do nothing.
Today, it is this author’s privilege to have friends who have black skin. We have talked about the slavery of black people in the past and also realized the slavery of other races today and in the past. I greatly respect and cherish the friendships I have with these people and consider some as personal mentors, brothers, and sisters who have had profound impact upon my life. However, it is also realized that this people is quite largely still in slavery. What??? Yes, black Americans are still largely slaves. No, not in the sense their great, great grandfathers and grandmothers were. Nor are we talking about a slavery to sin which all men wrestle with in their lives. The slavery they wrestle with today does, however, have a likeness to the slavery of Christianity. It is a lifestyle which has been chosen. Single parent households, abortions, joblessness, illiteracy, criminal records, drug use, and all manner of social ills characterize a disproportionate portion of black Americans. This does not need to be so. American history is full of successful black Americans. Some of their beginnings were more meager than others, but their accomplishments were above the majority of all Americans. There are and have been great black inventors, scientists, doctors, authors, evangelists, lawyers, teachers, and statesman. So why is there a great slavery of social and economic woes to this people?
A great number of these people have been sold into slavery based on worthless promises. They are largely no different than a growing population of Americans of all colors. They have been promised by political parties and government that all their needs will be taken care of by someone else. Can’t afford to put enough food on the table? Don’t work harder, the government will provide. Can’t afford a house? Don’t take personal initiative, the government will provide. Out of a job? Don’t look for one, the government will provide months and years of unemployment for you. Need an education? The government has money for that. What about medical insurance? The government will cover that too! In the 2008 elections for President of the United States, a woman was shown on camera raving about her belief that Barak Hussein Obama was going to pay her mortgage and get her a brand new car. The difference between the black population and some other races of Americans is this: Obama and his party played on long past injustices to encourage a lack of initiative and dependency. Whether through race bating, class warfare, or outright deception, everything is promised to gain power and little to nothing is delivered in return. If a promise is delivered it frequently results in further enslavement of the recipients. It is the enslavement of a people who are told they don’t have to work. They have chosen a master who is unkind, deceptive, and cruel.
When a mindset is created which thinks it is entitled to something or it is owed something by others, then improvement and growth stop. All races of Americans have been enslaved by the master of low expectations and dependency. They have become slaves who do not work. Their spirits have been crushed, their hands are out, and they are declining as a people. These declines exhibit themselves economically, socially, and morally as the slaves begin to do or say anything to get their myopic, self-indulgent needs met rather than serve others, improve themselves, and contribute to society. The end result of such slavery is the loss of blessings the individual might have once had. Ultimately, despite any brief illusion to the contrary, they will be forced to work for a master. The master doesn’t give without expecting something in return. The political party master wants his votes. The Government master wants his power and money. Some call it socialism or communism, but its result is an oppressed and disheartened people who have nothing and can do nothing for themselves. If they resist they are punished by one means or another. If they do not obey they are punished. They no longer have freedom and it is because they chose to give it up long beforehand.
Americans are not alone in today’s enslavement of the masses. Slaves who don’t work are found all over the world. Greece is a prime example of a people who have chosen to put their hands out to a master who promised to care for them in return for nothing. Larger than Greece, the European Union is falling apart because of nations who want to be given everything, while doing no work. Slaves must work. Sooner or later, they will work. Their punishment comes through their self inflicted choices. Historically, societies who chose not to work, but instead put their hands out expecting something for nothing, find themselves in depressed and trying times with cold and cruel masters. Those who had good masters, but took advantage by not working, ruined them. This is quickly becoming the case for more responsible countries of Europe.
What is the solution? The solution is finding a good master and being willing to work hard for him. America was founded on a strong belief in God. The people who came to its land learned they had to be hard working or starve. They dabbled with the concept of letting others care for them and freeloading off their work, but learned that their own hard work led to reward. Along with the reward, came graciousness and aid to others who may have been less fortunate, but were also trying to work and provide for their families. In early America the Biblical phrase, “If a man will not work, neither let him eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ) was adopted rather quickly. As the country grew and men enjoyed the fruit of their labors, they were able to hire other men and women willing to work and both benefited. They understood relationships are built on the solid contribution and responsibility of all parties concerned. Certainly, the country grew with the aid of slaves, good and bad slaves with good and bad masters. The point is the American system which later would bless the entire world with its goods and services was built on work. It was built on a Biblical concept. The country adopted the motto, “In God We Trust”. They chose their master and He blessed them abundantly. Now, as many Americans are choosing different masters promising much for nothing, history should be remembered. Consequences should be recalled. When the slave doesn’t work, bad times are coming.
2 Peter 2:1-3 – But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
(1) Macarthur, John. Slave: the hidden truth about your identity in Christ. 2010