APL-205

Biblical Perspective on slavery

Biblical Perspective on slavery course image
Description

This seminar will explore the topic of slavery in the Bible, equipping students to understand slavery in its historical contexts, appreciate the goodness of God’s laws, answer charges that the Bible supports slavery, and trace redemptive threads through the Bible.

Course Objectives

By the end of this session, students should be able to:

* Distinguish between biblical servitude and modern race-based chattel slavery
* Explain key Old and New Testament passages on slavery
* Compare Israelite law with surrounding Ancient Near Eastern practices
* Articulate a biblical-theological framework of slavery (sin vs. Christ)
* Respond clearly to the objection: “Why does the Bible allow slavery?”
* Identify Christianity’s role in the abolition of slavery
* Recognize modern slavery and consider faithful responses

Required Texts and Materials

Course Evaluation

NA

Language

English

Course Schedule
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Jun 06 (09:00 AM)
  • Week 1 - Jun 06
    09:00 AM
    Topic

    Biblical Perspective on slavery

    Notes

    Outline of the Workshop

    1. Introduction: Why didn’t the Bible abolish slavery outright?
    2. Slavery in the Old Testament
    * Ancient Near East slavery
    * Biblical OT Slavery
    3. Slavery in the New Testament
    * Slavery in the Roman Empire
    * NT Teaching regarding slavery
    4. Christianity and Abolition
    * Slavery throughout human history
    * Trans-Atlantic slave trade
    * William Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery in the British Empire
    5. Apologetics: “Why does the Bible allow slavery?”
    * Different types of slavery: chattel slavery vs. indentured service, etc.
    * Moral regulation vs. endorsement (similar to divorce laws)
    * Biblical condemnations of slavery
    * Flip the question: What’s the basis for human rights without God?
    6. Biblical Theology of Slavery and Redemption
    * God redeems Israel from slavery in Egypt to serve him
    * Everyone who sins is a slave to sin, but Jesus came to redeem
    * Don’t offer yourselves as slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness
    7. Modern Slavery and the Christian Response
    * Slavery is still going on in the world
    * How can we work against slavery?

Instructor
instructor avatar

Shepherd Ben West

  • Studied Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis (where he was invited to UBF as a freshman) 
  • Moved to Minneapolis after marrying Rebekah, where they are making disciples of students at the University of Minnesota
  • After retiring from engineering to pursue full-time ministry, Ben obtained an MDiv at Faith Bible Seminary
  • He enjoys 3D printing and playing the ocarina
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