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Christianity and Slavery

Christianity and Slavery

In response to my blog last week, The U.S. Constitution: A Light About to be Extinguished, an online follower posted the following on our Facebook page:

If I have misread what’s posted on this site, I apologize, but these are my thoughts: Blogs on this site paint a rosy picture of the USA in general, and Christianity, in particular– as if they have historically stood for the right, for morality and justice, and for the oppressed instead of the oppressor.

Didn’t Christians, including the Catholic hierarchy and the Seventh-day Adventist hierarchy, support Hitler? — After all, he was a “Christian” and a vegetarian, to boot. One common myth about the relationship between religion and slavery is that faith leaders spoke early and often about the evils of enslavement.

Actually, Christians who spoke against slavery, such as the Quakers, were few and far between.

Instead, Christians, by and large, used the Bible to justify the institution of slavery and its perpetuation. The use of religion to defend slavery grew when denominations were successful recruiting in the South.

The relationship between religion and slavery is not as flattering as many contemporary Christians assume.

Thank you for your post. I believe your concerns are so important and helpful that I wanted to highlight them here and address them.

Your point is excellent and poignant, and something our entire website is focused on exposing – the difference between religion and the kingdom of God.

God is the Creator, and His laws (gravity, health, and moral) are design protocols for life – how life actually operates. Thus, God’s kingdom is based upon love, truth, and liberty.

As created beings, sinful humans cannot create. We cannot build reality – space, time, matter, energy, life – and thus our laws are not the laws of God that reality operates upon. What we do is make up rules, which we call laws, and then enforce those rules with threats of punishments. This is the human-law model or method and stands in sharp contrast to the Creator’s design laws and methods.

Religions embrace the human-law model – the false idea that God’s law functions like human law and that justice is inflicting punishment upon lawbreakers. Thus, religions have taught and continue to teach that it is righteous to inflict punishment on others and use power over others to enforce one’s way. This false belief system naturally leads to the very abuses you have referenced, including slavery and the use of the Bible to support it.

The history of what I documented in my blog is still true, however. There is a battle within Christianity (as well as the world at large) over these two views of law and, thus, over two views of God and two views of justice. Jesus Himself battled against this same issue when He opposed the religious leaders of His day. He consistently taught that God’s kingdom is the kingdom of love built upon design law; He rejected the imposed-law view of humans. In my blog, Parables of Jesus – The Overarching Theme, I reveal how every one (100%) of Jesus’ parables teaches design law and exposes the fallacy that God’s government operates like human governments – upon imposed law.

This battle is between the true principles of God’s kingdom (love, truth, freedom) and the principles that drive the systems of this world (selfishness, lies, coercion).

When the Bible was translated into the language of the people, it brought God’s truths to the masses, and it was the Christians who embraced God’s principles of liberty and equality that formed the abolitionist movements in Europe and America. But those Christians who rejected God’s principles and embraced imperial law (just like the Jewish leaders in Christ’s day) used the Bible to justify their continued biases, prejudices, and exploitation of others, including slavery.

The founding documents of the United States were designed to restrict or limit the power of the few (government itself, the aristocracy, and religious organizations) over the masses and create a government that protected liberty – but such documents could not change hearts; only Jesus can do that. It is by restricting the power of the few to coerce and control the many that an atmosphere of freedom is created in which truths can advance and, thus, change hearts.

So, I love your point and want to affirm it as long as we differentiate those Christians who embrace what Jesus actually taught from those who embrace the imperial/human-law model of religion.

We must also recognize that Revelation teaches that before Christ returns, those Christians who have rejected design law and embraced imposed law will join with state powers to form a beastly system that will coerce others and once again take away liberty. The freedoms written into the U.S. Constitution will be removed – and you are right, they will be removed by those who call themselves Christian. But understand, these are the ones that Jesus describes here:

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:21–23 NIV84).

Come and Reason’s goal is to present the truth about God’s kingdom – His design laws and methods – effectively so that people can reject the beastly system of force and coercion, which is based entirely upon imposed law, and be sealed by the Holy Spirit to be just like Jesus in character.


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Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana