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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:54 pm 
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TEC SAID

One of the accusations against Christ that some people make to me from time to time is that Christ never spoke out against slavery, and so He must condone it.

I would submit that slavery (the forcible enslaving of your fellow man)... is not the root problem. It is merely a symptom of the root problem. Christ came to deal with the root. This is why he does not address many things that people find objectionable today; that is why he did not have to address every law that had been twisted or handled wrong. How many lifetimes would these things take, and how many people would be unable to hear because the root problem is still there?

The two most important commandments were to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. Every other commandment stemmed from these. A refinement, if you would. Because if you love your neighbor, you do not steal from him; you do not covet his wife; you do not murder him; you do not lie about him or bear false witness against him; strike him; beat him; stone him; show him no mercy.

You do not enslave him.

If you understand love, if you have that love within you, then you don't need the other commandments. You don't need the law at all. Because the law is written on your heart... and we act upon what is within us. If we have light within us (and Christ is light/love/life/truth), then our actions toward others will reflect that light. If we have darkness within us, then our actions toward others will reflect that darkness. If that is light and love, then what you do reflects that light and love. If what you have within you is anger and darkness, then what you do will reflect that.

Light chases away the darkness. So seek that light. In the same way as this: "Seek first the Kingdom, and all other things will be given to you as well."

Cure the root problem (lack of love), and the symptoms disappear on their own.

Christ was not silent. He came and spoke Truth; shedding light on the darkness that people had within them, due to their own nature or due to what they had been wrongly taught God wanted and was. And in addition to such teachings as love one another as He loved us; the golden rule; the direction to follow Him, and He came here to serve US; so we must also serve one another (not enslave one another)... in addition to these... He simply went to directly to the root of the problem, and dealt with what is within.



I stated elsewhere that if people had listened and understood Christ (and therefore love); then slavery would have ended without even a drop of blood being spilled. But as always, it is our choice to hear... or to refrain.

Peace to you,

tammy


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:55 pm 
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JUSTMOM SAID

Good Morning Dear Tec

And I couldn't agree with you more. Our Lord Jaheshua knew like you mentioned what the "root of the cause" was. He also know that because the majority would not have His Fathers law on THEIR hearts (because they would choose this) that the source of the problem would not be solved.

The only thing I would add if I may is that even when we do understand lOVE and have Christ and try to manifest His love and reflect His light....and know what darkness in us would manifest......

at times even daily in "OUR HEARTS" that SIN (lack of love in us)
manifests itself, either in our hearts which stays between us and Him or it comes out in us in our speech or actions.
It is why we NEED Him as our "propitiatory daily sacrifice" to be that cover for us.
To cover our sins ! Hebrews 2:17&18 1John 2:2 & 4:10

Thank goodness he understands us and comes to our aid!

Thank you so much for that encouragement. I need these reminders daily.
Love and peace to you
justmom


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:56 pm 
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PSACRAMENTO SAID

Our Lord knew that before one can free the body, one must free the mind and the spirit.
But He did comment on slavery, in the most direct way possible when you think of it:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

But in a more "legal way":
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:56 pm 
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HAGGELOS

And then, of course, there is always Deuteronomy 23:15-16, to which Jaheshua came to fulfill:

15 “You must not hand over a slave to his master when he escapes from his master to you. 16 With you he will keep on dwelling in among you in whatever place he may choose in one of your cities, wherever he likes. You must not maltreat him.

But, how many people have ignored this commandment? Doesn't THIS commandment destroy slavery, at least for the one who successfully escapes TO YOU?


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:57 pm 
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TEC SAID

Thanks everyone. Beautifully stated, all of you... and Haggelos, that is a great gem, thank you.

Peace,
tammy


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:57 pm 
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YPPUPLLEH SAID

That chapter in Deuteronomy also defines masturbation as unclean

Was slavery a "fact of life" issue back then? It was accepted and a social norm? If so then maybe Jesus didn't really address it as it was just accepted?
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:57 pm 
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PSACRAMENTO SAID

It is important to understand and distinguish CAUSAL laws in the OT.
Many a law is based on "IF".
A modern day example would be worded as such:
If a man steals your car, he will compensate you monetarily, do community service and/or jail time as discretion of the judge/law.

This does NOT condone theft but stipulates what is to be doen in the event of such.

In the ancient near east, the equivalent would be:
If a man steals an oxen, he must pay to the owner compensation ( if the oxen is dead or can't be returned) he will then be whipped or stoned in accordance to divine Law, so say it the Lord.


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:58 pm 
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YPPUPLLEH SAID

*nod nod nod*

Was reading Luke chapter 12 earlier out of interest. Verses 41 through 53.

Jesus seemed to touch upon dynamics and issues between Master and servant and also what seems eerily similar to describing the "shunning" that goes on in JW life. I wonder if this is the chapter in which JW practitioners base their practice of shunning upon or at least validate their actions?
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:58 pm 
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Quote:
YPPUPLLEH SAID


Quote:
PaulSacramento wrote:
Our Lord knew that before one can free the body, one must free the mind and the spirit.
But He did comment on slavery, in the most direct way possible when you think of it:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

But in a more "legal way":
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


is the "more legal" way way different? Lol I was reading them both and they seem word for word the same.
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:59 pm 
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PSACRAMENTO SAID

Quote:
Hellpuppy wrote:
*nod nod nod*

Was reading Luke chapter 12 earlier out of interest. Verses 41 through 53.

Jesus seemed to touch upon dynamics and issues between Master and servant and also what seems eerily similar to describing the "shunning" that goes on in JW life. I wonder if this is the chapter in which JW practitioners base their practice of shunning upon or at least validate their actions?


Typically the use Paul's suggestion from 1Corinthians ( in regards to an unrepentant sexual immoral act - doing His father's wife).


Whenever we take a verse or collection of verses, we must put them in context to the chapter and then with the WHOLE of the book/letter.

Luke 12:
Luke 12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
God Knows and Cares

12 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “(A)Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 (B)But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3 Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon (C)the housetops.

4 “I say to you, (D)My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: (E)fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into (F)hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6 Are not (G)five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 (H)Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

8 “And I say to you, everyone who (I)confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but (J)he who denies Me before men will be denied (K)before the angels of God. 10 (L)And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11 When they bring you before (M)the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not (N)worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for (O)the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Covetousness Denounced

13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “(P)Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then He said to them, “(Q)Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, (R)you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘(S)You fool! This very night (T)your soul is required of you; and (U)now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21 So is the man who (V)stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

22 And He said to His disciples, “(W)For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the (X)ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor (Y)barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add a single (Z)hour to his life’s span? 26 If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even (AA)Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? (AB)You men of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not (AC)keep worrying. 30 For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek His kingdom, and (AD)these things will be added to you. 32 (AE)Do not be afraid, (AF)little flock, for (AG)your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

33 “(AH)Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, (AI)an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For (AJ)where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Be in Readiness

35 “(AK)Be dressed in (AL)readiness, and keep your lamps lit. 36 Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find (AM)on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that (AN)he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. 38 (AO)Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

39 “(AP)But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be (AQ)broken into. 40 (AR)You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

41 Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or (AS)to everyone else as well?” 42 And (AT)the Lord said, “(AU)Who then is the faithful and sensible (AV)steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that (AW)slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will (AX)receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not (AY)know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. (AZ)From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
Christ Divides Men

49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a (BA)baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51 (BB)Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, (BC)father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

54 And He was also saying to the crowds, “(BD)When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. 55 And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a (BE)hot day,’ and it turns out that way. 56 You hypocrites! (BF)You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?

57 “And (BG)why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? 58 For (BH)while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last (BI)cent.”


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:59 pm 
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YPPUPLLEH SAID

PaulSacramento yes I do see a lot of Bible quotes that are quoted out of context or just pulled from the air which is why whenever I see a verse quoted I always go back and read where it came from

Is it possible for the Master to love their slave? Treat them right? And still keep within the Master/Slave relationship? I've often heard people criticize the Bible or JudeoChristians due to the issue of slavery but I wonder if the concept back then was different than the concept now or even a hundred years ago.
Here in America most associate slavery along racial lines.

Now I'm not condoning slavery myself ;P but I see the inclusion of rules and records of slavery in the Bible not as God/Jesus/etc approving of slavery but as a commentary of how society functioned back then and what the climate was at the time the records were written.
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:00 pm 
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JUSTMOM SAID

Good Morning all

Yes there are so many interesting comments. Remember Jaheshua came and nailed/ fulfilled that "old law' to the tree! The entire law that showed Israel that "THEY" not anybody else (looking in the mirror) were sin and needed a greater redemption than animals blood, was the LAW that now pointed/led individuals to CHRIST (supposedly)
All the details and do's and don'ts would be now summed up in LOVE. Tec covered this in her post. Love would be the divine law that would be the answer to what one would do and the greatest individual to look at that gave the ultimate in love was Christ.
All the details in the old law were not very relevent to our master unless they callled him on it and he showed how hypocrital the religious leaders were primarily.
By focusing on too many details of the old law, it puts us back under it, therefore, judging ourselves and others by it defeating the reason that Christ came, shed HIS blood so that any and all could be foregiven and have life by means of holy spirit.

Our lord had a much greater mission than to address ALL the issues of the law. If one had Christ in his/her heart had come into the new covenant and was being led by holy spirit "they" would or should know how to handle ANY matters of the law. But then again it wasn't EVEN their main concern anymore as there was a "spiritual work of feeding/healing/releasing to be done.
But as Paulsacramento mentioned our lord knew once again many many would not want JAH/Christ law on their hearts but would want to adhere to the old law/judge by it and condemn those that were relwased by it therefore causing the division spoke about in the bible. Luke 12:49-53

So for me all I can do is try to look only at myself and ask what would my lord and master do and use Him as a guide and not be concerned with what anyone else may do or not do and hope for me I am obedient and listen to His answer.

with love and peace to you all
justmom


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:00 pm 
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CHARIKLO SAID

I agree with what everyone has written here. Tec, when I first saw this thread's counterpart on JWN I immediately thought that well, Jesus' whole teachings indicate that his attitude would have been the very opposite of slavery as we know it. I also had two other main thoughts, firstly, that, as Heluppy surmises, the whole social structure was of two thousand years ago and completely different. Jesus taught firstly about God his Heavenly Father ( and himself as Son) and our relationship with God.

Secondly I feel frustrated when people assume that Jesus taught only what we have in the Bible. Obviously what we have in the Bible is what people remembered and wrote down. I'm on my iPad and haven't got a Bible near me right now but someone said something...was it John?... about all the many other things that Jesus said and did. My guess is that he probably didn't say anything about slavery as such, but he certainly gave us enough to go by, and his words can be extrapolated into every situation.

Paul, just as a matter of interest, what are the little bracketed initials scattered through the Biblical texts you posted, please? I guessed that they might refer to different translations, but I can't make that work for me, largely because I'm not familiar with a wide range of t ranslations. (Mine is the Jerusalem Bible.)

Justmom, what you've written is very profound and interesting. I've read it through several times. I think that we are actually both saying the same thing in different ways. On the iPad I can't easily copy and paste selected chunks...it will do either one word or the whole post!...but you've said it beautifully where you say that Jesus had so much more to do than to address all the issues of the law. He gives us all we need, doesn't he? From that baseline, everything else will follow. If we find that we don't know the course we should take in any particular situation, then that's the time to pray and meditate and read and wait until things become clearer.

And, just mom, I notice that you wish everyone a good morning. That was an hour and a half ago, and here it is early evening and already dark...getting cold too! It gives me a great feeling of shared thought all over the world!


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:01 pm 
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PSACRAMENTO SAID

Quote:
Hellpuppy wrote:
PaulSacramento yes I do see a lot of Bible quotes that are quoted out of context or just pulled from the air which is why whenever I see a verse quoted I always go back and read where it came from

Is it possible for the Master to love their slave? Treat them right? And still keep within the Master/Slave relationship? I've often heard people criticize the Bible or JudeoChristians due to the issue of slavery but I wonder if the concept back then was different than the concept now or even a hundred years ago.
Here in America most associate slavery along racial lines.

Now I'm not condoning slavery myself ;P but I see the inclusion of rules and records of slavery in the Bible not as God/Jesus/etc approving of slavery but as a commentary of how society functioned back then and what the climate was at the time the records were written.


Slavery in the ANE has to be take as what it was THEN and not now.
Yes, there were slaves from wars and there were slaves from "indentured servitude" but the "chattel slavery" most think wasn't that common.
Slaves for Israel tended to be of the servitude type but they also had "war spoils" slave in the OT times, but once a slave ( perhaps servant is a better term for what they were) was taken into a Hebrew home, he had rights and could even become a member of the family and even become and heir.

The reason that Paul didn't speak up about slavery ( against it) in a more vocal way ( or the other apostles) is because, quite simply, as a persecuted religion, christianity already have lots of issues to deal with and adding sedition against the Roman empire ( which going against slavery is what that would be) would NOT do ANYONE any good at THAT time.


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:01 pm 
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PSACRAMENTO SAID

Quote:
Quote:
Paul, just as a matter of interest, what are the little bracketed initials scattered through the Biblical texts you posted, please? I guessed that they might refer to different translations, but I can't make that work for me, largely because I'm not familiar with a wide range of t ranslations. (Mine is the Jerusalem Bible.)



Footnotes and cross references from the NASB.

I tend to copy and paste from biblegateway and it carries over.


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