Why I Believe in Slavery

The whole concept of slavery is written not only into the Old Testament but into the New, but perhaps not in quite the way most people suppose. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Gospel of Slavery. The apostle Paul understood that we were "slaves of Christ" and that this was a most glorious and happy state to be in (Romans 6:22; Ephesians 6:6). So why, then, are we revolted by slavery? Why do we exalt Wilberforce and the abolitionists who fought to undo slavery and give every man his dignity? Because the kind of slavery they fought against was evil and God's slavery is righteous. The Gospel of Christ does not put us in fetters but frees us from them. So how can such be regarded as "slavery"?

When I tell people that I believe in slavery they either think I am mad or plain evil. But usually they don't know what I am talking about because the meaning of words has changed. I consider myself to be a gay person but I am absolutely not a homosexual. Originally, "gay" meant "happy and carefree" -- today it does not. I consider myself to be a slave -- a slave to my God. I do not, I assure you, walk around in chains, nor do I seek to escape from His authority at the slightest opportunity. I am happy to be His slave because I am free. Slavery, in the Scriptural sense, is servanthood, or, in New Testament jargon, discipleship. I am a servant of the Lord, of my leaders in the Christ's assembly, and under discipline -- or discipleship.

Taking people prisoner and putting them into physical bondage is certainly described in the Old Testament. God permitted the Israelites to take prisoners of their enemies. His purpose in doing this was to enable them to be converted to the Way of Holiness, of the Covenant of Moses, which was the only thing that could save them. Those who were killed lost their lives because (a) they were utterly depraved, and (b) God knew they would not repent and would instead corrupt Israel. The Law required that these slaves be freed after a period of time. They were to be taken into bondage for their own good, something we don't necessarily appreciate always. Yet do not parents "enslave" their children, bringing them under discipline ("Old Covenant"), for their own good until they are responsible enough to act freely with their own conscience ("New Covenant")? So God has behaved with nations.

Under the New Covenant, which requires that the Law be written on the heart by the Holy Spirit coming to a freely repentant soul, the Old Covenant Law of slavery has been lifted to a higher level of consciousness. Whereas the Old Covenant Law was administered by a special Priesthood -- the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood -- the New Covenant is to be administered by a higher Priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood, of whom Jesus Christ is our High Priest (Heb.7:11-12,24). According to this Law, slavery comes naturally by the Holy Spirit. All true Christians make themselves slaves of Christ voluntarily because they have tasted the wonderful fruits of that slavery. True, that slavery can sometimes be unpleasant as the spiritual self wages war with the carnal self -- the carnal wishes to enslave the spiritual (in the classical sense of "slavery") whilst the spiritual wishes to enslave the carnal (in the sense that I am trying to convey here). During such warfare, true slavery can sometimes appear to be classical (oppressive) slavery. Indeed, do we not, as Christians, give God full permission to do to us whatever He, as Sovereign, wishes, even if that is uncomfortable or painful? And do we not do so in faith, because we trust Him when He tells us it is for our good and salvation?

Jesus Christ has upgraded marriage and slavery in the New Covenant by making them "natural" and from the heart. He never abolished either. Let us, therefore, be wise in not judging the Word but in understanding it in its great and glorious historical context. The Scripture must not be twisted to fit our pre-conceived doctrines and ideas. These days Christians move between denominations when it suits them and show little in the way of commitment. Churches continue to schismatize exponentially. The problem is the "I" culture which demands that every individual be free to do whatever he wants. Not so with true Christianity.

I believe, that with these keys of understanding, you will come to appreciate the glory and beauty of the Law of Moses in light of the New Covenant. Before the truth supposed contradictions evaporate. However, if you are to see the truth, you must be totally honest and accept all of God's Word, and not just that which you like or which supports the prevalent gentile culture. Without that honest approach, the Scripture will remain a sealed book, full of imagined contradictions and horror stories. The truth truly sets you free.

In the meantime, let all Christians live by pure consciences (Acts 24:16), remembering also that sometimes a clear conscience does not necessarily make a man innocent (1 Corinthians 4:4). The matters you raise are not simple ones and require, for their resolution, total honesty, and an in-depth knowledge of the Scripture and history, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. It is most unlikely -- I would even say impossible -- that all Christians will be agreed about them. Whatever our point-of-view we must feel free to be disciples of Christ according to the degree of our spiritual development and be allowed to choose to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). It is the Lord who judges in the end (1 Corinthians 4:4).

We have often said that we believe everything in the Scripture, even what we don't like. Most of us have trepidations and fears about doctrines and practices which aren't the "norm" -- the Jews certainly did and preferred to remain with what was "old and familiar" (Luke 5:39).