Slavery: What the Bible Really Says and the Truth Behind the Narrative

Good morning, everyone! Today, we’re tackling a big topic—slavery. But before you start thinking we’re diving into some history lesson that’s about to get all serious and doom-and-gloom, hold tight because we’re looking at it through a biblical lens—and let me tell you, the way the world defines slavery is not quite the same as the way God defines it. Buckle up, because we’re about to unpack some truth, some history, and maybe a little bit of humor to keep it real.

Does the Bible Condone Slavery?

Now, let’s get straight to the big question: Does the Bible condone slavery? You’ve probably heard this question pop up at some point. People love to say, “Well, the Bible talks about slavery, so it must be okay, right?”

Let’s break this down. God’s definition of slavery is not the same as what we think of when we hear the word today. When we talk about slavery in the context of the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we're dealing with something vastly different from the horrific, racial, and dehumanizing slavery that occurred in places like America, especially the way it existed during the transatlantic slave trade.

Here’s the truth: God never endorsed slavery as we know it. Slavery in the Bible was not about people being kidnapped, beaten, and treated as property based on their race. Instead, it was more akin to indentured servitude, where people would sell themselves into servitude because of debt or poverty. It's like how in some parts of the world today, people take out loans and have to work to pay them off. While it’s still far from an ideal system, it’s not the soul-crushing institution we associate with American slavery.

In fact, the Bible is clear about God’s heart for freedom. In Exodus 21:16, the Bible explicitly condemns kidnapping people for slavery—which was pretty much the norm in the brutal form of slavery we think about today. "Anyone who kidnaps someone and either sells them or still has them when they are caught must be put to death." God doesn’t mince words here, does He?

God's true heart is freedom—freedom from oppression, freedom to worship, freedom to live as His children. Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18), and He doesn't stop there. In Christ, we are all free from sin and death, and that includes being free from the shackles of oppression, whether that’s spiritual or physical.

The False Narrative of Reparations and Slavery in America

Alright, let’s address the big elephant in the room—reparations and the ongoing narrative about slavery, particularly in the U.S. You’ve probably heard people talk about white people paying reparations for slavery, especially in the context of American history. But let me ask you this: How does a group of people today, who had nothing to do with slavery, end up responsible for reparations for something that happened over 100 years ago? That doesn’t quite add up, does it?

Here’s the truth: Slavery was not exclusive to any one race or culture. Let’s stop pretending like only one group of people has been victims of slavery. The African slave trade was horrendous, but the Bible is clear that it wasn’t just white people who enslaved others. Every culture, every race, has at some point been involved in the slavery business. Let’s take a little history lesson here.

History’s Unspoken Truth: The First Black Slave Owner in America

Did you know that the first recorded Black slave owner in America was none other than Anthony Johnson? Yeah, you heard me right. This is often ignored in discussions about slavery. Anthony Johnson was a Black man in Virginia in the 1600s, and he himself became a slave owner—owning other Black people. Now, I know what you're thinking, “Wait, what? How does that even make sense?” But the truth is, slavery was an economic system that crossed racial lines.

Anthony Johnson was a successful landowner in his time. He had a few servants, but as time went on, he began owning slaves himself—he was the first to legally win the right to own slaves in court. So, while the system we associate with slavery in the U.S. took a terrible turn, we cannot ignore the fact that the entire system was more complex and involved many groups of people. It wasn’t just the evil of one race enslaving another.

The Bible on Freedom, Forgiveness, and Repentance

Now, let's bring it back to the Bible and to us today. God’s message isn’t about continuing to hold grudges over past wrongs. The Bible speaks a lot about forgiveness, and reconciliation—two things that are central to the Christian life. In 2 Corinthians 5:18, Paul writes, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” We have a ministry of reconciliation—not a ministry of retribution or holding others accountable for the sins of their ancestors.

Don’t get me wrong, history matters, and we must learn from it. Slavery was evil and wrong, but at the end of the day, it’s the redemptive work of Jesus Christ that brings true freedom. It’s not about paying for past sins, but about finding healing and moving forward.

When we point fingers at others, it’s important to remember the bigger picture: we’re all in need of God’s grace and forgiveness, no matter what our background or history is. We can’t heal the wounds of history by perpetuating hatred, division, or bitterness. That’s why, as Christians, we’re called to love and forgive, not hold onto grudges. As Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Wrapping It Up: The Heart of God for Freedom

So, what’s the takeaway here? Slavery, in the biblical sense, isn’t about race, it’s about oppression—and God’s desire is always to set people free. Whether it was the Israelites in Egypt, or the generations that followed, God’s plan has always been freedom. If you’re walking in Christ today, you are no longer a slave to sin, to your past, or to anything that holds you back. You are free—and so are your neighbors, regardless of their race, nationality, or history.

And let’s be real here: if we’re going to keep the conversation going on slavery, let’s also keep it rooted in truth—and not manipulated narratives. History is messy, but it’s also full of God’s redemption. We can’t erase the past, but we can walk in God’s freedom, forgiveness, and love, and that’s the best way to move forward.

Let’s pray,

“Father, thank You for the freedom You give us in Christ. Thank You that we are no longer slaves to sin or to the systems of this world. Help us to love one another, forgive one another, and always seek reconciliation, just as You reconciled us to Yourself through Jesus. We pray for healing, freedom, and unity in this world. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

Go out there today, folks, and remember: we’re all free in Christ, and let’s keep telling the truth and loving each other the way God intended!