Welcome to Apologetics with Carl Kerby!
Today, we’re talking about slavery and the Bible.
Skeptics often criticize Christianity because of Bible passages that seem to condone slavery, such as some biblical figures like Abraham having slaves.
However, biblical references to slavery are simply descriptions of the reality of the ancient world, not an endorsement of it. God did not make men slaves – men made other men slaves; God created men free.
You see, slavery is really just an example of man’s sinfulness towards man in a fallen world.
In reality, it’s been the Christian worldview that has inspired the fight against slavery throughout history. Famous preacher John Wesley, for example, called slavery “the sum of all villainies.”
As Ronald Reagan said, “For centuries, the Bible’s emphasis on compassion and love for our neighbor has inspired institutional and governmental expressions of benevolent outreach such as … the abolition of slavery.”
What else does the Bible say about slavery? We’ll discuss that another time.
For additional resources, go to www.hopetools.net. Stay bold!
Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
