Head-dibs

The shortest and most simple answer to the question of how the Bible transforms the pejorative term “slave” into a term of dignity and privilege (“servant”) is found in one word: adoption. Slavery was a cultural norm across the centuries of the Bible’s inspiration, commonplace in its many forms, separating people by this social structure. Some entered slavery by conquest, others by unpaid debt or other reasons. The Old Testament explains clearly that slavery was never intended keep a person in that low position indefinitely, and this is where the transformation of the concept begins. Each person purchased for a price should be freed after seven years of service; however, if the slave does not want to leave out of love for his master, that slave is taken to the doorpost of the house where he is nailed through the ear to the house as a sign that he is now quite literally part of the house (Exodus 21:5-6)—not “in” the house but “of” it. A ring through the ear showed the world that he was...

The issue of slavery is an age-old concern; yet, across time and culture, the Bible demonstrates both the redemption and transformation of the slave as a person as well as a transformation of the very concept. No other worldview has accomplished this.  The Old Testament records the practice of slavery as a cultural norm in the Ancient Near East while also accounting for a significant shift regarding slavery and servanthood. The Biblical view of man is built on the foundation that man is made in the image of God. The moral, civil and ceremonial laws develop instruction and rationale regarding how people should treat one another based on this foundation. One notable example is seen at the beginning of the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22-23:33) which opens with teachings on the protected rights of the person or persons who are clearly distinguished apart from property. Care is to be given by one person to another who was injured intentionally or non-intentionally. The one who c...

Now's your chance to stop wondering about what takes place on a Bible translation committee. Here is a rare opportunity to sit in and listen to a debate on translating the word "slave" or "bondservant" in light of author's intent and audience perception. Why do we say “The United States is” rather than “The United States are” ? While we're on the subject, do you like our new logo ? If given a choice, would you choose a personal trainer who has struggled with their weight in the past over one who never has? Are you an "educated man?" Here are three characteristics to consider. I just HAD to post this:

"If we look carefully within ourselves, we shall find that there are certain limits beyond which we refuse to go in offering ourselves to God. We hover around these reservations, making believe not to see them, for fear of self reproach. The more we shrink from giving up any such reserved point, the more certain it is that it needs to be given up. If we were not fast bound by it, we should not make so many efforts to persuade ourselves that we are free. ” Henry Drummond (1851-1897), author of “ The Greatest Thing In The World .”