Comments on: Paul’s Slavery http://www.historyandtheology.com/?p=185 History, theology, and culture, a resource for the church Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:42:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Clark http://www.historyandtheology.com/?p=185&cpage=1#comment-27 Clark Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:36:05 +0000 http://www.historyandtheology.com/?p=185#comment-27 Perhaps one of the aspects of Paul mentioning that he was a slave was to imply that there was a Master over him. Many well-to-do's or masters in his times may never considered the thought of themselves being slaves or having a master over them (though I'm sure they recognized authority, such as the government). The characteristics of slavery that Paul seemed to champion was service, obedience, and humility in light of the grace that he received from the Master as the Master purchased our debt (sin) while we were yet slaves to another master (sin/darkness). The slave-master analogy is very pertinent, as it is spiritually true. We were slaves to a cruel master (to our sin/darkness), and the debt could not be paid off by our works because it was too great of an amount (in our case the debtee determines whether or not the debtor satisfied the obligation). Only someone with much wealth could purchase and fulfill the debt. He paid that price on his own initiative while we were yet slaves (and it may be true that we were not even looking for freedom) and when it was paid, we were made free and was adopted by the true and perfect master, who is categorically superior to men. The earthly analogy of slave-master stands only to the extent that a debt needs to be paid. However, as men categorically stands in the same level as other men, the golden rule (Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You) is applicable. Therefore, the notorious and infamous American slavery practices were unethical (how does a native African forced to come to the U.S. have any debt to repay to an artificial - and arbitrary - American master? And to treat slaves as sub-human was unethical). This rule does not stand with Creator-creature relationship because creatures are to worship the Creator and not the other way around. Thank God that He is the most excellent, wise, compassionate, just, righteous, and holy Master. Perhaps one of the aspects of Paul mentioning that he was a slave was to imply that there was a Master over him. Many well-to-do’s or masters in his times may never considered the thought of themselves being slaves or having a master over them (though I’m sure they recognized authority, such as the government).

The characteristics of slavery that Paul seemed to champion was service, obedience, and humility in light of the grace that he received from the Master as the Master purchased our debt (sin) while we were yet slaves to another master (sin/darkness).

The slave-master analogy is very pertinent, as it is spiritually true.

We were slaves to a cruel master (to our sin/darkness), and the debt could not be paid off by our works because it was too great of an amount (in our case the debtee determines whether or not the debtor satisfied the obligation). Only someone with much wealth could purchase and fulfill the debt. He paid that price on his own initiative while we were yet slaves (and it may be true that we were not even looking for freedom) and when it was paid, we were made free and was adopted by the true and perfect master, who is categorically superior to men.

The earthly analogy of slave-master stands only to the extent that a debt needs to be paid. However, as men categorically stands in the same level as other men, the golden rule (Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You) is applicable. Therefore, the notorious and infamous American slavery practices were unethical (how does a native African forced to come to the U.S. have any debt to repay to an artificial – and arbitrary – American master? And to treat slaves as sub-human was unethical). This rule does not stand with Creator-creature relationship because creatures are to worship the Creator and not the other way around. Thank God that He is the most excellent, wise, compassionate, just, righteous, and holy Master.

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