Slavery in the Bible: Contradictions and Interpretations Through Time

INTRODUCTION: Within the context of American history, slavery has been viewed as a widely controversial issue. Prior to its abolishment on December 6, 1865, religious beliefs were commonly used as opinion backing. Personal interpretation and biblical verses allowed slave owners to justify their claims and the basis of their decisions. Comprehensively, the purpose of this research is to grasp the differentiating views of slavery as represented in this spiritual scripture. Although the Bible does discuss slavery, it doesn’t give a clear interpretation of its moral standing. In an attempt to deepen our research and gain a better understanding, we utilized the information provided by Claude AI. 

AI SUMMARIES:

The Bible’s relationship with slavery is complex and has been interpreted in contradictory ways throughout history. Biblical scholars have identified passages that both support and challenge the institution of slavery, creating a theological tension that has influenced debates for centuries.   

BIBLICAL PASSAGES SUPPORTING SLAVERY

Several Old Testament passages appear to regulate, rather than prohibit, slavery. Leviticus 25:44-46 permits the Israelites to take slaves from conquered peoples permanently and allows Israelites to sell themselves into slavery temporarily to pay off debts. Exodus 21:2-11 provides detailed regulations for Hebrew slavery, including provisions for permanent bondage. The New Testament also contains passages that were historically used to justify slavery, particularly Paul’s instructions to slaves in Ephesians 6:5-6 and Colossians 3:22, which command slaves to obey their masters.

Christian slaveholders frequently cited Genesis 9:18-27 (the curse of Ham) and New Testament household codes to justify enslaving Africans. Cotton Mather, the celebrated Puritan minister, used biblical passages to affirm the enslavement of Africans, justifying slavery as a means to “Christianize” those enslaved (Bible Odyssey)

 

BIBLICAL PASSAGES OPPOSING SLAVERY

Conversely, other biblical passages challenge the foundations of slavery. The most significant is Galatians :28: 3“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (CBE International).

This verse proclaims fundamental equality among all believers, regardless of social status. The Bible teaches that all humans bear God’s image and deserve dignity and justice, which challenges any view that devalues slaves as less than fully human (Dallas Baptist University). Paul’s letter to Philemon, while not explicitly condemning slavery, subtly undermines it by calling for Onesimus to be received “no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother” (Philemon 1:16).

SCHOLARLY INTERPRETATION (AI) 

Biblical commentators note that Christianity made “an immense stride in sweeping away the artificial distinctions which had been the bane of the ancient world” (Bible Hub), suggesting the faith’s inherent anti-slavery trajectory. Modern scholars like Thomas Schirrmacher have examined the “humanization of slavery” in biblical texts, arguing that biblical regulations aimed to limit slavery’s harshness rather than endorse it perpetually.

The interpretive tension reflects broader hermeneutical questions about distinguishing between biblical accommodation to cultural practices and divine endorsement of those practices.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: With the information provided by Claude AI, readers can directly view biblical passages that support the act of slavery and those expressing an opposing side. After careful analysis, it is clear that slave owners utilized their religious “morals” to reinforce their harmful motives. More prominently, the book of Leviticus promoted the idea of taking slaves when able to conquer. On the other hand, we can discover a contrasting opinion in Galatians. This scripture states that every individual should be considered equal. Therefore, social status holds no insignificance, but through God, humans deserve dignity and justice. Lastly, Matthew 22:39 states the importance of loving your neighbor, including loving God to the fullest extent. As a result, a “slave” should be looked at as another child of Christ. Overall, the use of religion to enslave and hold power over another human being is not ethical, violating fundamental human rights. 

SOURCES: 

• Bible Odyssey: “The Legacy of the Bible in Justifying Slavery”
• CBE International: “Philemon in Light of Galatians 3:28”
• Discovering Theology: “Does the Bible Condone Slavery?”
• Michael Pahl: “The Bible is Clear: God Endorses Slavery”
• Dallas Baptist University: “The Bible and Slavery”