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If The Bible Got Slavery Wrong.....


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If the Bible got slavery wrong how do we know it's right on homosexuality and gay marriage?  Everyone knows I don't support gay marriage and that I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THE CHURCH TEACHES  but this is a good question in my estimation. Any thoughts?

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Nihil Obstat

If the Bible truly "got something wrong", like actually wrong, not a mistake of interpretation or whatever... If that were the case, then the Bible's inerrancy is undermined and there is no reason to believe any of it. It is all or nothing.

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dairygirl4u2c

the bible could have an error in it and still be generally correct. it doesn't have to be all or nothing. just think of the writers of the new testament finding out that their writings were going to later be elevated to the word of God. they never would have guessed it and would probably be against or hesitant about that. 

i give the bible the benefit of the doubt, but that doesn't mean i have no questions regarding. i can think of at least one example of something i think it probably a contradiction, and then you have things like the story of noah saying the world was flooded when this is scientifically couldn't have happened. i have to jump through hoops to get around this stuff, but at least im honest enough to ackowledge it. 

the best way i can rationlize the slavery verses and that goes for women as property and raping passages and such, is that God was saying "this is how we are to treat slaves and women given you already have norms that allow for mistreatment". he's just responding within the confines man has set up. i wouldn't argue he condoned or didnt care or got it wrong about slavery.
and that's coming from soemone skepitcal about the bible's inerrancy. 

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LittleWaySoul

@Josh, since it seems our Church Scholars have yet to see these threads, perhaps post a question in the Q&A forum? People seem pretty quick to respond there. 

Other than that, I'd try checking out books/articles by Dr. John Bergsma. He's a Catholic Scripture scholar and he wrote his doctoral dissertation on the book of Leviticus (!!!). Pretty smart guy, and he knows his OT. If he doesn't have anything published on this subject, consider contacting him directly via email.

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3 hours ago, Nihil Obstat said:

If the Bible truly "got something wrong", like actually wrong, not a mistake of interpretation or whatever... If that were the case, then the Bible's inerrancy is undermined and there is no reason to believe any of it. It is all or nothing.

Well. Inerrancy concerning faith and morals that is. I don't think that every single thing needs to be scientifically of factually correct (especially the books that are to be interpreted allegorically). Kind of goes without saying but . . .

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CountrySteve21

First, when the Bible talks about slavery its a whole lot different than are modern understanding of slavery (especially the American understanding). Second, you have to remember that the Old Testament doesn't reveal everything yet 1In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe (Hebrews Ch. 1 1-2).

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Hold up––how does “the Bible get slavery wrong"? what does that mean? In my reading, Scripture is not in favor of slavery. Read Philemon.

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People who say "The Bible got slavery wrong" are judging the Bible by current cultural (and legal) standards.The Bible is not a handbook for structuring society or culture. And, by the way, almost everyone who has written on THAT fascinating topic has also gotten it wrong. 

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dairygirl4u2c
20 hours ago, Peace said:

Well. Inerrancy concerning faith and morals that is. I don't think that every single thing needs to be scientifically of factually correct (especially the books that are to be interpreted allegorically). Kind of goes without saying but . . .

this is a good point that i forgot about, faith and morals. it still makes you wonder how many christians would be willing to entertain nonfaith and morals contradictions and scientific inaccuracies in the bible. i'm open to the idea. and it makes you wonder what to make of Jesus referening how things were in the days of noah, was he referrencing a fairytake? was it something based on reality but the bible didnt get completely right? that's usually what i'd say, the bible got some things wrong, and maybe Jesus was referencing something that was inaccuratealy portrayed. i mean, a world wide flood with no evidence and two of every animal making humongous tracks to a precise location and fitting on a relatively small boat, with no imbreeding problem etc, come on...

Edited by dairygirl4u2c
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fides' Jack

What the Bible calls "slavery" is what we call "indentured servitude", which is certainly not immoral.

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Lol.   Humanity grew up and learned more about ethics, economics, applied empathy, etc.    It wasn't a magic being changing its mind and making new rules in a rule book. 

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Just now, fides' Jack said:

What the Bible calls "slavery" is what we call "indentured servitude", which is certainly not immoral.

So children born into "indentured servitude" is ok in your view? What about beating those who are part of "indentured servitude"? Nothing wrong with that either? 

Edited by Guest
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fides' Jack

Sources please.  I'm not familiar with those passages.  

I was referring to slavery in the Bible that would be viewed as acceptable.  Obviously the Bible also mentions immoral actions (Adam and Eve, Cain, etc...).

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