Slavery In The 19th Century

In the 18th and 19th century slavery was supported by southern churches for many years. They used verses from the Old Testament to support their reasons for slavery. Although some congregations realized that they should only support humane slavery, they still missed the Paul’s point in the new testament. (Finkelman) He wanted all believers to be equalized in Christ.
In Romans 14:4 Paul urges believers not to judge fellow slaves in Christ. He views all believers as slaves to Christ, and he urges them not to pass judgement on what the other believers, and he wants them all to be equal in Christ. Romans 14:4 says, “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Paul wants believers to accept slavery to Christ and reject slavery to sin. I think this is still applicable for Christians today. In Galatians
3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Paul neutralizes everyone in Christ.
In this verse, Paul tries to make the believers realize how slavery can divide people, but the gospel is meant to unite people. Although slavery was different in the first century, some divides still existed between the free and enslaved people. The modern world views slavery as a way to traffic people and use them for forced labor. In the 18th and 19th century, slavery was for white Americans to enslave African Americans. In contrast, slavery in the first century world, was very different. Typically, slaves were not identifiable by their outward appearance, for example their clothes, ethnic background, skin color, or social status. Slaves could own other slaves, and their education as encouraged. Many were responsible for large portions of their owner’s house, and they typically had the same religious or cultural background of their owners. It was not assumed that slaves would be at the bottom of the economic chain, and they typically were planning on becoming free at some point in their life. (Harrill
1)
This is very different from the way slavery was in the modern world. Today slavery is inhuman and degrading. I think Paul’s perspective on slavery applies today to this concept because he values the equality of all people. He did not desire for someone who reign over another in a forceful or evil way. I think believers should be careful when applying biblical text to their lives today, but I think if used in the proper context they can be very appropriate.
Slavery has been a dividing topic for the church in the past, and I think Paul’s perspective is meant to unite the church. The gospel was meant to bring others together instead of tearing them apart. Paul’s cry for the church was to view all people as equal and respect others. He uses it as analogy for Christian life, and he wants believers to be in whatever position will be most effective for the spread of the gospel.