Sermon Tone Analysis

| *The Bible, Slavery, and America's Founders * |

| *Stephen McDowell * |

| *America's Founding Fathers are seen by some people today as unjust and hypocrites, for while they talked of liberty and equality, they at the same time were enslaving hundreds of thousands of Africans.

Some allege that the Founders bear most of the blame for the evils of slavery.

Consequently, many today have little respect for the Founders and turn their ear from listening to anything they may have to say.

And, in their view, to speak of America as founded as a Christian nation is unthinkable (for how could a Christian nation tolerate slavery?).

**It is certainly true that during most of America's history most blacks have not had the same opportunities and protections as whites.

From the time of colonization until the Civil War most Africans in America (especially those living in the South) were enslaved, and the 100 years following emancipation were marked with segregation and racism.

Only in the last 30 years has there been closer to equal opportunities, though we still need continued advancement in equality among the races and race relations.

But is the charge against the Founders justified?

Are they to bear most of the blame for the evils of slavery?

Can we speak of America as founded as a Christian nation, while at it's founding it allowed slavery?

**Understanding the answer to these questions is important for the future of liberty in America and advancement of racial equality.

The secular view of history taught in government schools today does not provide an adequate answer.

We must view these important concerns from a Biblical and providential perspective.

**America**'s Founders were predominantly Christians and had a Biblical worldview.

If that was so, some say, how could they allow slavery, for isn't slavery sin?

As the Bible reveals to man what is sin, we need to examine what it has to say about slavery.

**The Bible and Slavery \\ The Bible teaches that slavery, in one form or another (including spiritual, mental, and physical), is always the fruit of disobedience to God and His law~/word.

(This is not to say that the enslavement of any one person, or group of people, is due to their sin, for many have been enslaved unjustly, like Joseph and numerous Christians throughout history.)

Personal and civil liberty is the result of applying the truth of the Scriptures.

As a person or nation more fully applies the principles of Christianity, there will be increasing freedom in every realm of life.

Sanctification for a person, or nation, is a gradual process.

The fruit of changed thinking and action, which comes from rooting sin out of our lives, may take time to see.

This certainly applies historically in removing slavery from the Christian world.

**Slavery is a product of the fall of man and has existed in the world since that time.

Slavery was not a part of God's original created order, and as God's created order has gradually been re-established since the time of Christ, slavery has gradually been eliminated.

Christian nations (those based upon Biblical principles) have led the way in the abolition of slavery.

America was at the forefront of this fight.

After independence, great steps were taken down the path of ending slavery - probably more than had been done by any other nation up until that time in history (though certainly more could have been done).

Many who had settled in America had already been moving toward these ends.

Unfortunately, the generations following the Founders did not continue to move forward in a united fashion.

A great conflict was the outcome of this failure.

**When God gave the law to Moses, slavery was a part of the world, and so the law of God recognized slavery.

But this does not mean that slavery was God's original intention.

The law of Moses was given to fallen man.

Some of the ordinances deal with things not intended for the original creation order, such as slavery and divorce.

These will be eliminated completely only when sin is eliminated from the earth.

God's laws concerning slavery provided parameters for treatment of slaves, which were for the benefit of all involved.

God desires all men and nations to be liberated.

This begins internally and will be manifested externally to the extent internal change occurs.

The Biblical slave laws reflect God's redemptive desire, for men and nations.

**Types of Slavery Permitted by the Bible \\ The Mosaic law permitted some types of slavery.

These include:**1.

**Voluntary servitude by the sons of Israel (indentured servants)** \\ Those who needed assistance, could not pay their debts, or needed protection from another were allowed under Biblical law to become indentured servants (see Ex. 21:2-6; Deut.

15:12-18).

They were dependent on their master instead of the state.

This was a way to aid the poor and give them an opportunity to get back on their feet.

It was not to be a permanent subsidy.

Many early settlers to America came as indentured servants.

These servants were well treated and when released, given generous pay.

**2.

**Voluntary permanent slaves** \\ If indentured servants so chose, they could remain a slave (Ex.

21:2-6; Deut.. 15:16-17).

Their ear was pierced to indicate this permanent subjection.

The law recognized that some people want the security of enslavement.

Today, there are some people who would rather be dependent upon government to provide their needs (and with that provision accepting their commands) than do what is necessary to live free from its provision and direction.

Some even act in a manner that puts them in jail, desiring the care and provision they get more than personal freedom.

**3.

**Thief or criminal making restitution** \\ A thief who could not, or did not, make restitution was sold as a slave: “If a man steals . . . he shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft” (Ex.

22:1,3).

The servitude ceased when enough work was done to pay for the amount due in restitution.

**4.

**Pagans could be permanent slaves** \\ Leviticus 25:44-46 states: As for your male and female slaves whom you may have - you may acquire male and female slaves from the pagan nations that are around you.

Then, too, it is out of the sons of the sojourners who live as aliens among you that you may gain acquisition, and out of their families who are with you, whom they will have produced in your land; they also may become your possession.

You may even bequeath them to your sons after you, to receive as a possession; you can use them as permanent slaves.

But in respect to your countrymen [brother], the sons of Israel, you shall not rule with severity over one another.

**In** the Sabbath year all Hebrew debtors~/slaves were released from their debts..

This was not so for foreigners (Deut.

15:3).

Theologian R.J. Rushdoony writes, “since unbelievers are by nature slaves, they could be held as life-long slaves” 1 without piercing the ear to indicate their voluntary servitude (Lev.

25:44-46).

This passage in Leviticus says that pagans could be permanent slaves and could be bequeathed to the children of the Hebrews.

However, there are Biblical laws concerning slaves that are given for their protection and eventual redemption.

Slaves could become part of the covenant and part of the family, even receiving an inheritance.

Under the new covenant, a way was made to set slaves free internally, which should then be following by external preparation enabling those who were slaves to live at liberty, being self-governed under God.

**Involuntary Servitude is Not Biblical \\ Exodus 21:16 says: “He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.”

Deuteronomy 24:7 states: “If a man is caught kidnapping any of his countrymen of the sons of Israel, and he deals with him violently, or sells him, then that thief shall die; so you shall purge the evil from among you.”

**Kidnapping and enforced slavery are forbidden and punishable by death.

This was true for any man (Ex.

21:16), as well as for the Israelites (Deut.

24:7).

This was stealing a man's freedom.

While aspects of slavery are Biblical (for punishment and restitution for theft, or for those who prefer the security of becoming a permanent bondservant), the Bible strictly forbids involuntary servitude.

**Any slave that ran away from his master (thus expressing his desire for freedom) was to be welcomed by the Israelites, not mistreated, and not returned.

Deuteronomy 23:15-16 states: **You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him.**This

implied slaves must be treated justly, plus they had a degree of liberty.

Other slave laws confirm this.

In addition, such action was a fulfillment of the law of love in both the Old and New Testaments.

The law of God declares: “. . .

you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev.

19:17-18).

Leviticus 19:33-34 clearly reveals that this applies to strangers and aliens as well: “The stranger, . . .

you shall not do him wrong.. . . .

you shall love him as yourself.”

**It was forbidden to take the life or liberty of any other man.

Rushdoony writes: **Thus,** the only kind of slavery permitted is voluntary slavery, as Deuteronomy 23:15,16 makes very clear.

Biblical law permits voluntary slavery because it recognizes that some people are not able to maintain a position of independence.

To attach themselves voluntarily to a capable man and to serve him, protected by law, is thus a legitimate way of life, although a lesser one.

The master then assumes the role of the benefactor, the bestower of welfare, rather that the state, and the slave is protected by the law of the state.

A runaway slave thus cannot be restored to his master: he is free to go.

The exception is the thief or criminal who is working out his restitution.

The Code of Hammurabi decreed death for men who harbored a runaway slave; the Biblical law provided for the freedom of the slave. 2 **Rushdoony** also says that the selling of slaves was forbidden.

Since Israelites were voluntary slaves, and since not even a foreign slave could be compelled to return to his master (Deut.

23:15, 16), slavery was on a different basis under the law than in non-Biblical cultures.

The slave was a member of the household, with rights therein.

A slave-market could not exist in Israel.

The slave who was working out a restitution for theft had no incentive to escape, for to do so would make him an incorrigible criminal and liable to death.