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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 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

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 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

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 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

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 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

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 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia