Comments on: Sinners Unaware

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 18:56:00 +0000

Brandon, good challenge. Off the top of my head: Edwards specifically argued that people should not profit from the slave trade, but that's just what he was doing by owning slaves. Having slaves was an integral part of the stealing (they weren't just offering themselves willingly). Part of Edwards's argument against the trade also rested on the equality of all men since we're made in the image of God, and that also should have extended to slavery.

Also, Paul argues that Philemon should welcome Onesimus as a brother in Christ rather than a slave (as he says in Galatians, we're all equal in standing before Christ), so at the very least, Edwards ought to have freed the slaves who became Christians. And could one not argue that he was continually stealing their freedom from them and denying them the wages they were worth when the worker is worth his wages and people are to receive the fruit of their labor?

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

By: Brandon Corfman

Brandon Corfman — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:27:00 +0000

I find this an odd post; here's why: the Bible doesn't seem to take issue with slaves (or servants if you're more comfortable with that term) in the Old or New Testament.

For the OT, consider Leviticus 25:44-54. Although God doesn't want slavery to necessarily be permanent or for slaves to be treated badly, he certainly makes provision for it.

In the NT, Eph. 6:5-9 pretty much reiterates the same treatment, not saying it's wrong by any means, but simply giving commands on how masters and slaves are supposed to live out their Christianity in the context of that relationship. Even in the book of Philemon, when Paul could have simply told Philemon that he should let Onesimus go free, he doesn't say slavery is flat-out wrong, but simply appeals to Philemon on the basis of love and their friendship. This book seems to be what most Christians cling to as their definitive “slavery is wrong” text, but its personal appeal and implied statements don't make for a strong argument.

As a result, it's not hard for me to understand why Edwards would condemn the slave trade (which involved kidnapping, extortion and greed) but not slavery itself. Are we seeing what the Bible says clearly for ourselves?

By: EE

EE — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:50:00 +0000

Good point–in a world where that kind of deception was acceptable, i suppose only (redeemed/positive) individuality would have been the ticket out of the cycle. Makes you think about two things:
1. What are the deceptions we have grown to accept that community can help us get out of?
2. What are the deceptions we have grown to accept that our community is just as deceived as us, and we need some self-reflection, God-conviction, individuality to get out of it?

By: afriendnamedben

afriendnamedben — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:50:00 +0000

awesome idol reference.

Good reminder on community. I noticed a counter-point in the cultural intoxication mentioned above that seems just as true. Granted all the good his community's influence probably did him, in this area, some individuality might have done him some good. I think this shows that good things (like community) can be mal-embraced.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:13:00 +0000

EE, ha! Great analogy! What an excellent visual picture of this.

We'll never get totally out of it because sometimes, as with Edwards, our entire community is blind to the sin. Thank God for justification through Jesus!

By: EE

EE — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:36:00 +0000

Good post Amy. Sin deceives (Hebrews 3) the best of us. It's like the first few weeks of American Idol, where we wonder how people can be so self-deceived to think that they really have a shot at winning. I suppose that's like us. It makes for great television. I don't want my life to be made for television where all are baffled as to why I can't see the darkness within. The moments where my sin become more visible to me are those difficult moments where I feel that wretchedness.

What I would add to your post is this: how do we get out of it? One way I read Hebrews 3 is the mutual exhortation of the community. For me, I need people (the Church, friends, community) to 'exhort' me or appeal to get me out of it. I can't do it alone.

Ok, I'm done with my sermon