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Does the Bible condone slavery?
It's one of the most common objections raised against Christianity. Skeptics often argue that because the Bible regulates slavery, it must therefore endorse it. But is that what Scripture actually teaches?
In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we examine one of the Bible's most difficult topics by looking at the historical context of the ancient Near East, the different forms of servitude found in Scripture, and the distinction between regulating an existing institution and declaring it to be God's moral ideal. We'll also examine key passages like Exodus 21 and Leviticus 25, explore how the New Testament reshapes the relationship between master and servant, and ask whether the Bible ultimately points toward human dignity and freedom rather than oppression.
Rather than avoiding the difficult passages, we'll read them carefully, compare Scripture with Scripture, and let the Bible define its own terms.
Bible passages referenced:
Genesis 1:27
Exodus 21:2-6
Exodus 21:16
Exodus 21:26-27
Leviticus 25:39-46
Matthew 19:3-9
Galatians 3:28
Philemon 1:15-16
Colossians 4:1
1 Timothy 1:10
Sources referenced:
The Holy Bible (ESV)
Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God by Paul Copan
Hard Sayings of the Bible by Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce, and Manfred T. Brauch
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig S. Keener
The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, edited by Willem A. VanGemeren
The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis, edited by Moisés Silva
Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas
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