I can relate to this. My Mother was also into faith healers and I drove her to Cincinnati/NKY a few times to attend services of a particular healer. There were very large crowds and people "slain in the spirit" ... including my Mom when she went up front. I was happy to take her, but was always very skeptical and a little uncomfortable. We were practicing Catholics and this was a protestant service, but that didn't matter, at all. My Mom loved them.
When quoting scripture, you must do so in its entire context. In the sake of transparency, make sure to also quote the remainder of the passage (47-55)...
Would you like quotes from famous Christian philosophers? If so, would be more than happy to post some.
Under what context of Leviticus 25:44-46 would you be my slave? I'm guessing none....
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. - CS Lewis
Since you posted the verse, for the sake of transparency for the readers of this thread, I am simply asking you to post the entirety of the passage to first establish proper context (47-55 must be included to have a proper understanding).
I can post the entire bible. It will never justify Leviticus 25: 44-46.
There is nothing that needs justification in this small excerpt you have chosen. If you cared to post the entirety of the scriptural reference (47-55), that would do wonders (but I have a feeling you are not inclined to do so).
Unfortunately, the real answer is you don't want there to be anything that justifies those three verses...post the rest of the passage (47-55).
44 As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you. 45 You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property. 46 You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever. You may make slaves of them, but over your brothers the people of Israel you shall not rule, one over another ruthlessly. Redeeming a Poor Man 47 “If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him becomes poor and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner with you or to a member of the stranger’s clan, 48 then after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him, 49 or his uncle or his cousin may redeem him, or a close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he grows rich he may redeem himself. 50 He shall calculate with his buyer from the year when he sold himself to him until the year of jubilee, and the price of his sale shall vary with the number of years. The time he was with his owner shall be rated as the time of a hired worker. 51 If there are still many years left, he shall pay proportionately for his redemption some of his sale price. 52 If there remain but a few years until the year of jubilee, he shall calculate and pay for his redemption in proportion to his years of service. 53 He shall treat him as a worker hired year by year. He shall not rule ruthlessly over him in your sight. 54 And if he is not redeemed by these means, then he and his children with him shall be released in the year of jubilee. 55 For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Thank you. This passage is referring to volunteered "slavery." 44-46 speak to non-Israelites who willfully become slaves. The remainder speaks to Israelites who willfully becomes slaves to non-Israelites (referred to as foreigners or strangers).
I'll tell what is unfortunate. That you sacrifice your humanity, bending over backwards to justify slavery that is clearly supported in your bible.
44 As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you. 45 You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property. 46 You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever.
So I had explained this in my previous post. If somebody was poor and wanted to willfully offer their services, that is their choice. They will then be bought by a Israelite (if they are a non Israelite), or non Israelite (if they are an Israelite), or it could be Jew on Jew action (insert joke). It doesn't matter. That is their choice. This is precisely what verse 47 explains. Are you choosing to ignore that verse?
What's worse is your ability to peacefully sleep knowing your religion supports slavery.
I haven't slept peacefully since our third child was born 9 months ago.
I understand you believe this. Unfortunately (for you) the text is clear. The passage is not a representation of mcnicKY91's thoughts.
It isn't a representation of my thoughts. Read verse 47...it clearly details why someone would willfully enter into a master/servant relationship. They are poor and need money. Tell me what you think verse 47 means then?? How else would one interpret that verse?
Dude I misinterpreted nothing. I quoted your bible. You are trying to justify slavery, and in your mind....I'm wrong
When you return please help me interpret Luke 12:47. The part where it says "the servant will be beaten with many blows". Seems immoral to me.
I appreciate the response, but do not understand it. My thinking is that if God did not approve of slavery and thought it an abomination, why didn't he simply say so, in clear and no uncertain terms. Furthermore, I've never understood why THOU SHALT NOT OWN SLAVES is not a commandment.
