Is owning slaves a sin.
 

Posting this here to get the views of some of our scholars.

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

Slavery is wrong. I don't think the bible explicitly condemns it but I think Jesus' teachings can be shown to condemn it.

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

Paul wrote that the law was not made for righteous people, but for lawless and disobedient people, of which, he makes specific mention of "menstealers" in 1 Timothy 1:9-10.

Here's what "menstealers" is all about:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/sear...opic=VT0001796

From the link:

Kind of hard to own slaves unless the ones owned were enslaved by someone, and sold off. So, there is no way of owning a slave and of there not being a "menstealer" involved, ergo: sin.

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

God's law provides rules for slavery, which was primarily a function of servitude for the payment of debts, fines, etc.

Stealing a person (kidnapping someone, usually to sell them as a slave), is a capital offense on the level of murder, rape, adultery, fornication, witchcraft, and idolatry, and requires the death penalty.

There are also rules regarding captives from war.

Generally speaking, a slave served until the sabbath year, then was released, unless he voluntarily chose to remain with his master. Slaves would be automatically freed if they suffered certain injuries, and they have certain "rights" under God's law.

Slavery in the Roman Empire did not follow Divine Law, nevertheless neither Jesus nor the apostles directly demanded its abolition. Rather, the master/slave relationship was to be governed by God's law as much as possible if one or both were Christians. Roman slavery had a lot to do with debt payment, criminal punishments, or war.

Slavery as perfected by Islamic/Arabic traders and Renaissance European colonial powers was largely just kidnapping, and thus wholesale capital offences.

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

OK, then can an owner of slaves go to heaven?

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

apparently the answer is yes.

Philemon 12..I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13..I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14..But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15..Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16..no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

No. Wrong.

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

A little more detail, please

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

I am obviously against slavery, but it seems to have been accepted in the ancient world and not considered a sin

Ephesians 6:5-9 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the LORD, not people, 8because you know that the LORD will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. 9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Re: Is owning slaves a sin.
 

Can you give scripture to support this.