The bible uses the word slavery and servants in biblical times the word slave was seen as servants. In the bible a common way to pay off debts was to do work under the person you owe debts to as a servant. Traditionally religions viewed slavery in different ways, in the past there have been Christian scriptures that were used both to justify and oppose slavery. Some Christians argued that slavery was acceptable, while others saw it as a violation. Over time, many Christian denominations(examples: United Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, etc.) have denounced slavery within Christianity. These views have only changed over time according to people, religious organizations such as the Southern Baptist convention have denounced slavery in recent years “Be it further RESOLVED, That we lament and repudiate historic acts of evil such as slavery from which we continue to reap a bitter harvest, and we recognize that the racism which yet plagues our culture today is inextricably tied to the past”. The bible has not moved away from its views on slavery.” The bible has also condemned slavery in the old testament in verse Exodus 21:16. The bible’s view overtime has changed with the new testament in that slaves are compared to prisoners(find more info here). In the New Testament of the Christian Bible there are some references to anti-slavery movements and anti-slavery positions in the verse Timothy 1:10 the New Testament comments on other issues as well but keeps its main focus in this section on anti-slavery “the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine”. This verse says that slavery is also immoral and explains that those who practice it are not uncorrupted.A bible verse that show that the bible is anti-slavery are Deuteronomy 24:7: "If someone kidnaps a fellow Israelite, either to make him a slave or sell him, the kidnapper must be killed. You must get rid of the evil among you". All religions have condoned slavery at one time or another. Yes, In the old testament of the bible slavery was at one time condoned by the Christian religion among others in that slave trading was a common practice and happened frequently. It has also been stated in previous bible verses that slavery was not a sin but was encouraged which is morally and ethically wrong but looking deeper in it the word slave also meant servant as well. All religions have condemned slavery at one time or another. Yes, the theological standpoint of the bible is that slavery is bad and in new testaments of the bible.
Some people say that the bible is pro slavery because they see it out of context or rather assumed, and not use history to further looking into the word and extend there thought process. Some arguments of people that say the bible is pro slavery are. Colossians 3:22 "22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord". Majority of people that say the bible is pro slavery use Leviticus without fully understanding the word slave or servants.
The pro slavery side of this would be the Bible views slavery as normalized. Numerous times The Bible mentions slavery casually without ever prefacing it with words of disapproval. From this it can be surmised that slavery is acceptable. The Bible does view certain aspects of slavery as sinful, but slavery, as it was practiced in the United States in the times of the late eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century, is permissible. The Bible’s words also align with how slave owners treated their slaves. From Exodus 21:20-21: “When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies under his abuse, the owner must be punished. However, if the slave can stand up after a day or two, the owner should not be punished because he is his owner’s property.” This unambiguously states that corporal punishment against slaves is permissible, as long as the slave is not killed from the punishment. It also reaffirms that slaves are property to their owners. Furthermore, this excerpt and the surrounding context says nothing about the reason for which a slave shall be beaten, meaning that it can be reasoned that slaves can be beaten at any time for any reason as long as the beating does not result in the death of the slave.
Links- https://mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0325.htm#44
https://www.newsbug.info/monticello_herald_journal/lifestyle/religion/powerful-words-servants-slaves-and-their-biblical-meanings/article_bb8d19b3-ad82-50c5-ae8a-e365ee98809a.html#:~:text=The%20two%20words%20are%20distinctly,will%20and%20forced%20to%20serve
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4694896.stm
https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/866/
https://web.archive.org/web/20160221195908/http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/899/resolution-on-racial-reconciliation-on-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-southern-baptist-convention
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-slavery/#google_vignette
Pro-Slavery side (Brad and Elliott)
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