History of Christianity and Issues of Slavery
Christianity is one of the oldest and most popular religions in the world, with over 2.4 billion adherents worldwide. It originated from the teachings of Jesus Christ, and has been practiced for more than 2,000 years. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and they follow his teachings as contained in the Bible.
From its beginnings, Christianity has had a rich history, filled with strife, persecution and struggle. The concept of slavery was introduced by Christian imperialists who traveled throughout the world in search of new lands and resources. Slavery was viewed as the result of sin, and became an integral part of Christian culture in the 16th century. Slavery was legal in many parts of the world and was accepted by many Christians as part of their faith.
The issue of slavery was a hot topic of debate during the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, the influential leader of the Reformation, was a firm supporter of slavery. In his writings, he indicated that there was no need to go against the accepted tradition of slavery, and argued that slavery was a part of God’s will. Other Christian leaders, including John Calvin and John Knox, also favored the practice of slavery.
By the 19th century, however, the concept of slavery had become increasingly unpopular. In the United States, for example, the abolitionist movement emerged in the late 1700s, and steadily gained traction among the Christian populace. Many churches adopted the cause of ending slavery and actively participated in the struggle to abolish it. The slave-owning Protestant denominations eventually split, and many denominations played a leading role in the anti-slavery movement.
Today, the issue of slavery is still a sensitive one within the Christian faith. While many Christians are unanimous in their condemnation of slavery and its existence, some groups continue to hold to a belief in its legality and acceptability. In some countries, such as India and Mauritania, the practice of slavery persists and is either supported or tacitly condoned by some Christian sects.
Theology, From Where?
It is important to understand the theological foundations upon which Christian views on slavery are based. Christianity is largely based upon the teachings of Jesus, who has been viewed as a liberator and champion of justice. In the New Testament, Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18). In other words, Jesus was clearly in support of freeing those who were in enslavement.
However, much of the official church doctrine on slavery appears to contradict Jesus’ teachings. The Bible itself contains numerous passages that mention or condone slavery. Additionally, during the Reformation and even into the 19th century, many denominations accepted and taught that slavery was an acceptable practice. In light of this, many Christians are faced with the challenge of discerning how to reconcile Biblical teachings and Church doctrine with an abhorrence of slavery.
Many Christian theologians and acts of faith argue that these passages must be taken in the light of the time of which they were written, and that ultimately all people should be free and equal in the sight of God. Likewise, the concept of servitude has been suggested as a sort of service rendered to God that does not involve literal physical enslavement.
Church Attitudes and Christian Slavery
The Church’s attitude towards slavery has largely been one of contradiction and flux. In some cases, the Church has supported slavery and its legality, while in others, the Church has fought for its abolition. For example, Pope Paul III in 1537 declared slave trade as barbarous and immoral, while in the 20th century, Pope John Paul II called slavery a crime against humanity.
The attitude of different denominations also varies. For example, the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA) took a strong stance against slavery in the mid-1800s and was the first mainline religious denomination to do so. Other denominations, such as the Church of England, have taken a more nuanced approach. The Church of England’s official teaching states that slavery was an accepted practice under the Old Testament, while not justifying it, but condemns it as intolerable and sinful under the New Testament.
Ultimately, different denominations have different takes on the issue of slavery. While a majority of Christians agree that slavery is immoral and an affront to human rights, some denominations continue to allow members to hold differing views. As such, it is important for each Christian to strive to understand their own faith and its ramifications on modern-day issues such as slavery.
Christian Alternatives
Various alternatives to literal slavery have been offered by Christian theologians and thinkers. One of the most prominent is Christian servanthood, which emphasizes service to God and others in a way that does not involve physical enslavement. This type of “servanthood” has been used to describe not only literal acts of service, but also the idea of submission to God and voluntary self-sacrifice.
The concept of Christian servanthood is found throughout the Bible, and it has been explored in great depth in recent years. In his book, Contending for the Faith: Why The Christian Church Embraces Slavery and How We Can Change It, author Brad Stoffel argues that the traditional view of slavery has been distorted, and that the true meaning of servanthood lies in its voluntary nature.
In addition to servanthood, Christian thinkers such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer have argued for non-violent religious resistance to oppressive systems. Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor and participant in the resistance movement against Nazi Germany, argued that Christians should strive to oppose injustice through nonviolent means, while also taking inspiration from Jesus’ example of compassion and self-sacrifice.
The Role of Justice
As believers, Christians can take a variety of approaches to combat injustice and uphold the value of human dignity. Many denominations have sought to challenge governmental policies that deny basic human rights, and have endorsed various initiatives to end modern-day slavery and uphold social justice.
The United Nations’ “Global Compact” initiative was developed in 2000 to promote corporate responsibility and combat exploitation including modern-day slavery. The Global Compact encourages businesses to adhere to human rights laws and to ensure that employees are treated fairly. Many Christian-led organizations have signed this Compact, and have also taken additional initiatives to combat contemporary forms of slavery.
In addition to the Global Compact, many churches and humanitarian organizations are actively working to fight injustices such as human trafficking and forced labor. This includes providing aid to those enslaved in such conditions, as well as advocating for legislative change. Organizations such as the International Justice Mission and Stop Slavery Now work to rescue people from slavery and bring attention to the issue around the world.
Christian Involvement
Despite the progress made by various organizations and churches, much work still needs to be done to eliminate slavery. Christians must remain mindful of the issue and actively support worthy causes in any way they can. This could include raising awareness of the issue, donating money to relevant organizations, volunteering time and energy, and advocating for those who are still enslaved. The moral imperative to deny slavery and prevent its occurrence is clear.
Individuals can also take it upon themselves to ensure that their own personal purchases have not been made through the exploitation of slaves. Many companies today have committed to ethical practices and strive to ensure that their goods are made without the use of forced labor. By only patronizing these operations, Christians can help support an ethical lifestyle.
Christian ethics and Social Responsibility
Ultimately, Christians must view the issue of slavery with a sense of social responsibility. While slavery may be a part of their theological or cultural heritage, it is not something that should be accepted or condoned in the modern day. The moral imperative to support those facing unjust systems and to work towards abolishing them is one that Christians must take seriously, engaging with the issue and playing their part to ensure that all who are underserved and underprivileged can enjoy the freedoms of which they are entitled.
Christian ethicists also argue that slavery has a powerful psychological impact, and can leave individuals feeling isolated, helpless and unworthy. For this reason, it is essential for Christians to ensure that such practices are addressed and eradicated so that all individuals can enjoy their inherent dignity, decency and worth.
Conclusion of Christianity and Slavery
Christianity has a long and complicated relationship with the issue of slavery. Over the centuries, various denominations and Christian thinkers have approached slavery from different perspectives and argued for different courses of action. Ultimately, most must agree that slavery and human exploitation in any form cannot be accepted, and that believers should take an active part in denouncing it and working towards its abolition.
