It's About Liberty: A Conservative Forum

Topics => Faith & Family => Topic started by: Pablo de Fleurs on December 10, 2017, 09:25:40 PM

Title: I think I’m done
Post by: Pablo de Fleurs on December 10, 2017, 09:25:40 PM
I think I’m done with the pursuit of understanding my brother.

Being immersed in leadership development, in the last four months I’ve either spoken for, done seminars for & mentored men from Haiti, Dominican, Liberia & Kenya (most now American citizens, one a pastor still in Liberia).  One of the Liberian pastors has requested that I mentor his son. I also made a presentation to an urban college to be a guest lecturer on financial literacy (a topic, they said, was sorely lacking in the undergraduates attending classes there).

I say that to set the stage for what I am about to say. The level of hunger, learning & self-improvement from blacks originating from countries other than the United States is outstanding. They want to learn. They want better information. They understand that better information leads to better understanding, belief, actions and…results. They don’t carry the indoctrinated baggage that their American black counterparts cling to.

They do not wear a victim lens. And they understand that if they do - that they are the ONLY ones who can change their own perspective as a means to improving their lot in life.

This past Wednesday, I had lunch with a prominent black pastor in an urban city not too far from me. I did so with the expectation of duplicating my success with his truly African counterparts. I had attended a seminar led by him, previewed one of his sermons & talked with some of his congregants prior to the lunch. The lunch, though cordial, revealed much about his thought process: Social Justice, Micro-Aggression & a sense of entitlement that simmered below his love for Christ. He told me that Jesus spoke more on Social Justice than nearly anything else, that blacks needed an equity stake in our culture and attempted to whitewash their high incarceration rate with mumbo-jumbo. 

I stated that I, personally, could do nothing to right past wrongs, but could offer a seminar that offered improved skill sets from moving on from the here & now. His response was that that kind of language/phraseology would get me into trouble due to the inequality of opportunity afforded people of color in these United States.

At least my Feta-Cheese omelet with home-fries & rye toast agreed with me!

He had issues with my criticism of culture (I recently tweeted about the sexual harassment issues coming out of the woodwork). Yet he continues to criticize & blames “culture” for the plight of his people.

I did not take this meeting naively. The seminar I attended did have me as the only Caucasian in the group – but it was well run & the small group break-out sessions were well organized. They, as a group, have issues with the women taking leadership roles in the household. When asked (I was purposefully silent - waiting to be asked), I suggested that that was because they had abdicated their role & were no longer messaging & modeling the role of a family leader.

I think that, for the most part, American blacks are a totally lost cause. They, though they might profess a love for Jesus Christ, have bought into a heritage & habit-pattern that does not serve their long-term interests as a people group. Nor does it serve an “abundance” mentality or a mindset to thrive. They want to scapegoat, bitch, whine & moan their way to freedom.

And, ironically, it’s that very mentality that enslaves them & keeps them forever shackled to their past.

American blacks who self-identify as "African-Americans" do a disservice to Africans. Their former, proud heritage is now lost on them.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Alphabet Soup on December 10, 2017, 09:50:48 PM
I've experienced a touch of what you describe Pablo. I went back to school in the mid 90's and had several Africans as fellow students. The difference in attitude was truly remarkable. These men were focused and dedicated to improving themselves and sincere about providing a better life for their families.

The American 'culture' has become so corrosive I lament for the future.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Pablo de Fleurs on December 10, 2017, 10:15:53 PM
I've experienced a touch of what you describe Pablo. I went back to school in the mid 90's and had several Africans as fellow students. The difference in attitude was truly remarkable. These men were focused and dedicated to improving themselves and sincere about providing a better life for their families.

The American 'culture' has become so corrosive I lament for the future.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."

It both breaks my heart & galvanizes me simultaneously.

My sense of "Dude you could be so much greater than you are if you'd just stop whining" on the one hand & irritation at white pastors who, in fear on alienating segments of their congregation, are preaching on social justice & accepting a slice of "White Privilege" Shepherd's pie for supper, on the other.

I will no longer waste time with people who are wasting their own.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: IronDioPriest on December 10, 2017, 11:14:19 PM
My doctor for a few years was an African fellow - Dr. Anugwam. When I first met him, he said, "Call me Dr. A." Brilliant man. Kind, smart, funny, professional. You could tell he loved being a doctor; that he was living out what he felt was the calling of his life. He spoke with the absolute thickest African accent you can imagine, but he spoke with such care and clarity, I could always understand every word he said. Can't say as much for Americanized-Africans.

I was bummed when Dr. A moved on, but delighted with my Jewish Dr. Abraham Whom I've seen for the past few years. Now he'll be retiring, so we'll see who's next.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: NHTom on December 11, 2017, 02:08:18 AM
I've experienced a touch of what you describe Pablo. I went back to school in the mid 90's and had several Africans as fellow students. The difference in attitude was truly remarkable. These men were focused and dedicated to improving themselves and sincere about providing a better life for their families.

The American 'culture' has become so corrosive I lament for the future.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."

It both breaks my heart & galvanizes me simultaneously.

My sense of "Dude you could be so much greater than you are if you'd just stop whining" on the one hand & irritation at white pastors who, in fear on alienating segments of their congregation, are preaching on social justice & accepting a slice of "White Privilege" Shepherd's pie for supper, on the other.

I will no longer waste time with people who are wasting their own.
I'm sorry, but only one attitude is allowed here.  Any deviation will result in ostracism.  Get back in line.  We have a utopia to build here.

Slavery is back.  But now the chains are simply more sophisticated - and maddening.

Still, it's heartening to hear that it's not an inherently racial thing, especially after what I hear about South Africa.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 11, 2017, 09:15:10 AM
It's hard to feel sorry for people who put chains on themselves, attach blinders to their heads and filter everything through a dirty filter...

It is tragic and infuriating...but people have to want to remove their self-imposed impediments...they'll never do so otherwise...

It is what it is...
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Alphabet Soup on December 11, 2017, 04:04:54 PM
I've experienced a touch of what you describe Pablo. I went back to school in the mid 90's and had several Africans as fellow students. The difference in attitude was truly remarkable. These men were focused and dedicated to improving themselves and sincere about providing a better life for their families.

The American 'culture' has become so corrosive I lament for the future.

"We have met the enemy and he is us."

It both breaks my heart & galvanizes me simultaneously.

My sense of "Dude you could be so much greater than you are if you'd just stop whining" on the one hand & irritation at white pastors who, in fear on alienating segments of their congregation, are preaching on social justice & accepting a slice of "White Privilege" Shepherd's pie for supper, on the other.

I will no longer waste time with people who are wasting their own.
I'm sorry, but only one attitude is allowed here.  Any deviation will result in ostracism.  Get back in line.  We have a utopia to build here.

Slavery is back.  But now the chains are simply more sophisticated - and maddening.

Still, it's heartening to hear that it's not an inherently racial thing, especially after what I hear about South Africa.

Yea well I've been ostracized on so many times I've gotten to prefer it ;'}

 :o
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 12, 2017, 07:23:17 AM
I find this very interesting...

https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/11/16761016/former-facebook-exec-ripping-apart-society (https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/11/16761016/former-facebook-exec-ripping-apart-society)

...and I think it is because it is helping to break societal norms - the nuclear (hetero) family unit, Christianity, individual rights and God-given freedoms - that is essential for the Left to conquer what has been divided, and by censoring anti-Leftist thoughts and beliefs they help steer the carnage.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 12, 2017, 08:38:56 AM
PS-Pablo, next time...use this to conclude your post.   ;)

(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f8da349de03298b0e38068213ca9d35e4fe3b20915b56440ec3c8c26a0f23851.gif)

 ::thumbsup::
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Weisshaupt on December 12, 2017, 08:54:17 AM
Via Instapundit this morning.. (H/T INstapundit)

http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-left-punishes-itselfmercilessly-and.html (http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-left-punishes-itselfmercilessly-and.html)

Quote
The point is, even if you gathered all of your republican, conservative, libertarian and simply "non-leftists" buddies, and sat and conspired for weeks to concoct the most painful, horrific, devastating form of revenge on just ONE single leftist, the level of revenge you would exact wouldn't even compare to the lives leftists have chosen to live for themselves.  And the reason why is that living outside the real world of economics, romance, love, logic, psychology, sex, friendship, and career ensures you will ruin those things forever in your life.  And not only will you ruin them, they will torture you in every single one of those capacities until you are dead.  Your life will not merely be "wasted" like a happy drunk or pothead, it will be TORTURED as your adamant and desperate belief in leftism never jives with reality.  Again, if you think about it, it's a punishment you'd think twice about meting.

So this Christmas, and for the rest of your life, do not let leftists or the fact they're "getting free money" or "vote against freedom" or "vote to increase your taxes" lessen your finite time on this planet.  Though they'll never admit it, they are getting punished ENOUGH.  Just be happy and take solace in the sanity, serenity, and good mental health that comes with living in the real world.  And as the impoverished single mom feminist screams at you on the internet, or the black nurse says white women should kill their babies, or a university allows you to "self-identify" as a different race, just pour yourself a drink, throw on some jazz, appreciate your non-leftist friends, share this post with some fellow conservatives and enjoy the decline

I had one of my facebook "friends" say she missed having a human in the White House  last night.  I briefly considered writing something to the effect of  "I miss having a civil society where I wasn't assumed to be subhuman because I had different opinions"  or "Don't like Trump, this is how you get more Trump" - But I didn't bother ( see how I have grown)   

I just do not care. And yes, this woman is single and late forties. She brought another woman friend of mine on a date to a wedding - not because she is gay, but because she couldn't get a male date. . She is not and never will be happy, and each day that goes by more and more conservatives are (finally)  coming to the realization that  the society is doomed, it can't get better till we hit bottom, that trying to be fair or decent to these people is a non-starter and that actually engaging these people is completely pointless. Believe me - discovering that they are irrelevant to you deals the best , hardest blow you can deliver to their egos.


see Also

https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2017/12/11/woke-conservatives-and-the-awesome-power-of-not-caring-n2420738 (https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2017/12/11/woke-conservatives-and-the-awesome-power-of-not-caring-n2420738)

Quote
Have you noticed that if you fail to do, think, and vote exactly the way that the liberals and their Fredocon minions demand, you’re a racist, sexist, homophobic, child molesting, greedy, NRA terrorist determined to murder kids? Yeah, you probably have. And you’ve probably also realized that if you do everything that the liberals and their Never Trump minions demand, you’re still a racist, sexist, homophobic, child molesting, greedy, NRA terrorist determined to murder kids.

When you understand that, you’re on your way to being conservative woke.

And when you’re conservative woke, you’re ready to deploy the most powerful non-bullet firing weapon in your liberty-loving arsenal – your devastating capability not to give a damn what the liberals and their Conservative, Inc., cruise-shilling Benedict Arnold buddies say.

When you don’t care anymore, they got nothing.....

Donald J. Trump is the avatar of our not caring. Remember, he knows these elitist goofs better than we ever will, and no one has less respect for them. He was in there among them for decades as they sucked up to him and his dough. He dealt with, exploited, and now endlessly owns, the pompous, arrogant, and impotent press.

He knows exactly who these would be arbiters of morality and decency are. And The Donald is not impressed.

And there you have it - the Skill Trump was elected for- stated plainly and concisely.  The Avatar of No longer giving a Sh*t.

Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 12, 2017, 11:28:29 AM
Yeah...all that "turn the other cheek" stuff makes sense in the general day-to-day...most run-of-the-mill libiot sheeple out there are not worth much of an effort...karma will deal with those ignorant wretches in massive batches when the SHTF...unless they get in my way to be an ass I'm not seeking them out...those that should and must know better - the tainted-water-carriers - now or later they deserve special attention, as do their masters above them.  But as the good book says, for every time there is a season...
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Pablo de Fleurs on December 13, 2017, 05:31:27 PM
Interesting: I increased my Linked-In network by 2 this afternoon: both scholarly men from Israel - and it got me thinking about this thread.

This question would create a spark or two:

"Mr. 'African American', how do you suppose the Jewish people have overcome all they've been through, as a race: slavery in Egypt,, lost for 40 years in the desert, & then Stalin & Hitler exterminating millions of their people...and yet they've re-established themselves* & picked themselves up...yet you're still making excuses for your lack of tangible results?"

[* Save the fact that there aren't many Jewish NBA/NFL players]
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: NHTom on December 14, 2017, 03:52:22 AM
Interesting: I increased my Linked-In network by 2 this afternoon: both scholarly men from Israel - and it got me thinking about this thread.

This question would create a spark or two:

"Mr. 'African American', how do you suppose the Jewish people have overcome all they've been through, as a race: slavery in Egypt,, lost for 40 years in the desert, & then Stalin & Hitler exterminating millions of their people...and yet they've re-established themselves* & picked themselves up...yet you're still making excuses for your lack of tangible results?"

[* Save the fact that there aren't many Jewish NBA/NFL players]
What you're missing is that the African-American community has suffered egregious humiliation and disadvantage hitherto unseen in this world.

The left decided to "help" them.

As we've seen, nothing has proven to be nearly as toxic as that.

Margaret Sanger would approve.

I wonder if they think that's what they're doing "for" Islam
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: NHTom on December 14, 2017, 04:17:25 AM
Via Instapundit this morning.. (H/T INstapundit)

http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-left-punishes-itselfmercilessly-and.html (http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-left-punishes-itselfmercilessly-and.html)

Quote
The point is, even if you gathered all of your republican, conservative, libertarian and simply "non-leftists" buddies, and sat and conspired for weeks to concoct the most painful, horrific, devastating form of revenge on just ONE single leftist, the level of revenge you would exact wouldn't even compare to the lives leftists have chosen to live for themselves.  And the reason why is that living outside the real world of economics, romance, love, logic, psychology, sex, friendship, and career ensures you will ruin those things forever in your life.  And not only will you ruin them, they will torture you in every single one of those capacities until you are dead.  Your life will not merely be "wasted" like a happy drunk or pothead, it will be TORTURED as your adamant and desperate belief in leftism never jives with reality.  Again, if you think about it, it's a punishment you'd think twice about meting.

So this Christmas, and for the rest of your life, do not let leftists or the fact they're "getting free money" or "vote against freedom" or "vote to increase your taxes" lessen your finite time on this planet.  Though they'll never admit it, they are getting punished ENOUGH.  Just be happy and take solace in the sanity, serenity, and good mental health that comes with living in the real world.  And as the impoverished single mom feminist screams at you on the internet, or the black nurse says white women should kill their babies, or a university allows you to "self-identify" as a different race, just pour yourself a drink, throw on some jazz, appreciate your non-leftist friends, share this post with some fellow conservatives and enjoy the decline
"Jiving with reality."  Reference Stefan Molyneux.  My apologies for getting preachy.

Two ways to approach life:  Through philosophy and through sophistry.
Philosophy: you use logic and reason to describe reality - adjust as new data becomes available.
Sophistry: Use emotional arguments to bully to get your way.  Double down whenever confronted.

Quiz:  Which school of thought believes that socialism hasn't worked other places simply because they had the wrong people in place?  It's only fair....

This "war" has been going on for millennia.

Enjoy the decline?  I disagree.  It's a lot easier and possible to hold onto freedom than to lose it and fight to get it back.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 14, 2017, 07:31:30 AM
Interesting: I increased my Linked-In network by 2 this afternoon: both scholarly men from Israel - and it got me thinking about this thread.

This question would create a spark or two:

"Mr. 'African American', how do you suppose the Jewish people have overcome all they've been through, as a race: slavery in Egypt,, lost for 40 years in the desert, & then Stalin & Hitler exterminating millions of their people...and yet they've re-established themselves* & picked themselves up...yet you're still making excuses for your lack of tangible results?"

[* Save the fact that there aren't many Jewish NBA/NFL players]

(https://i.imgbox.com/vLXrgu5P.jpg)

(https://i.imgbox.com/ibbh1pZ5.png)

(https://images2.imgbox.com/5b/58/in11oQGO_o.jpg)

Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 14, 2017, 07:32:56 AM
Interesting: I increased my Linked-In network by 2 this afternoon: both scholarly men from Israel - and it got me thinking about this thread.

This question would create a spark or two:

"Mr. 'African American', how do you suppose the Jewish people have overcome all they've been through, as a race: slavery in Egypt,, lost for 40 years in the desert, & then Stalin & Hitler exterminating millions of their people...and yet they've re-established themselves* & picked themselves up...yet you're still making excuses for your lack of tangible results?"

[* Save the fact that there aren't many Jewish NBA/NFL players]
What you're missing is that the African-American community has suffered egregious humiliation and disadvantage hitherto unseen in this world.

The left decided to "help" them.

As we've seen, nothing has proven to be nearly as toxic as that.

Margaret Sanger would approve.

I wonder if they think that's what they're doing "for" Islam
[/b]

(https://i.imgbox.com/CP0JH81o.jpg)

(https://i.imgbox.com/qlwrYVBK.jpg)
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 14, 2017, 07:39:52 AM
Via Instapundit this morning.. (H/T INstapundit)

http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-left-punishes-itselfmercilessly-and.html (http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-left-punishes-itselfmercilessly-and.html)

Quote
The point is, even if you gathered all of your republican, conservative, libertarian and simply "non-leftists" buddies, and sat and conspired for weeks to concoct the most painful, horrific, devastating form of revenge on just ONE single leftist, the level of revenge you would exact wouldn't even compare to the lives leftists have chosen to live for themselves.  And the reason why is that living outside the real world of economics, romance, love, logic, psychology, sex, friendship, and career ensures you will ruin those things forever in your life.  And not only will you ruin them, they will torture you in every single one of those capacities until you are dead.  Your life will not merely be "wasted" like a happy drunk or pothead, it will be TORTURED as your adamant and desperate belief in leftism never jives with reality.  Again, if you think about it, it's a punishment you'd think twice about meting.

So this Christmas, and for the rest of your life, do not let leftists or the fact they're "getting free money" or "vote against freedom" or "vote to increase your taxes" lessen your finite time on this planet.  Though they'll never admit it, they are getting punished ENOUGH.  Just be happy and take solace in the sanity, serenity, and good mental health that comes with living in the real world.  And as the impoverished single mom feminist screams at you on the internet, or the black nurse says white women should kill their babies, or a university allows you to "self-identify" as a different race, just pour yourself a drink, throw on some jazz, appreciate your non-leftist friends, share this post with some fellow conservatives and enjoy the decline
"Jiving with reality."  Reference Stefan Molyneux.  My apologies for getting preachy.

Two ways to approach life:  Through philosophy and through sophistry.
Philosophy: you use logic and reason to describe reality - adjust as new data becomes available.
Sophistry: Use emotional arguments to bully to get your way.  Double down whenever confronted.

Quiz:  Which school of thought believes that socialism hasn't worked other places simply because they had the wrong people in place?  It's only fair....

This "war" has been going on for millennia.

Enjoy the decline?  I disagree.  It's a lot easier and possible to hold onto freedom than to lose it and fight to get it back.

Talk about a echo chamber...

(https://images2.imgbox.com/6f/d6/bzLI0J4B_o.jpg)

 ::hysterical::

Unfortunately the destroyed republic and destroyed lives are real...

There will be no forgiveness, no quarter...no mercy.

(https://i.imgbox.com/WrLo0WnA.jpg)

(https://i.imgbox.com/z7uHuhb1.jpg)

(https://i.imgbox.com/fOKhsKKT.gif)

Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: IronDioPriest on December 14, 2017, 09:21:02 AM
Enjoy the decline?  I disagree.  It's a lot easier and possible to hold onto freedom than to lose it and fight to get it back.

In my opinion, that is totally dependent upon whether the freedom you're holding onto actually exists, or if your grasping at freedom you once had with longing and nostalgia, and are blinded to the fact that it is already gone in all but facade.

I wouldn't suggest it's not worth fighting to restore liberty. But I think we're already in the fighting to get it back stage. Holding on is not enough. For all intents and purposes, Liberty is gone, and that means things wll get worse before they get better.

The one thing I know: the more you do of what you're doing, the more you get of what you've already got. The myriad issues we have as a nation and as a culture will not be solved by voting; by politics. The enemies of liberty will not stop attacking liberty because of what we do in the voting booth. Therefore, fixing the problem will require non-political measures, and in order for that to manifest, things will have to get worse before they can ever start getting better.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Pablo de Fleurs on December 14, 2017, 12:02:05 PM
Therefore, fixing the problem will require non-political measures, and in order for that to manifest, things will have to get worse before they can ever start getting better.

I hear that (2A?) future solution. In the meantime, as I stated to the pastor: I can't personally change the past, but I can point people to a better future. We can build a different mindset; a more congruent perspective. If that is then translated into micro-aggression, there's absolutely nothing I can do.

I also confirms my internal belief that blacks clinging to the past offers a greater payout than waking up to take personal responsibility to the path forward. It devolves to "racket"...no matter how much they attempt to inject Jesus into the picture.
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 14, 2017, 03:50:25 PM
Deep breath...all will be well...it will all be sorted out soon enough...

(https://images2.imgbox.com/a8/2b/Aght0HjN_o.jpg)
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: IronDioPriest on December 14, 2017, 09:51:02 PM
Deep breath...all will be well...it will all be sorted out soon enough...

(https://images2.imgbox.com/a8/2b/Aght0HjN_o.jpg)

Thanks for the inspiring meme, Muad'Dib!
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Libertas on December 15, 2017, 06:59:33 AM
 ::curtsy4::
Title: Re: I think I’m done
Post by: Pablo de Fleurs on January 02, 2018, 02:57:27 PM
Great blog/post from Apologetics Press (http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=5496&utm_source=1%2F1%2F2018&utm_campaign=September+Newsletter+17&utm_medium=email):

Did Paul Endorse Slavery?
by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

 Thousands of years prior to the establishment of the Lord’s Church, and long before Paul addressed the conduct of Christian slaves in the first century, various forms of slavery were commonplace. In fact, virtually every ancient civilization used slaves.1 Slavery was prevalent enough in Babylon in the 18th century B.C. to be mentioned numerous times in the Code of Hammurabi.2 The Egyptians enslaved hundreds of thousands of Israelites in the 16th century B.C. (Exodus 1; cf. Numbers 1:46). Historians estimate that, by the time Paul wrote his New Testament epistles in the first century A.D., five to eight million slaves resided within the Roman Empire,3 including 15-25% of the total population of Italy.4
“Slavery”—A Broad Term in the First Century

The English term “slave” is translated from the Greek word doulos. Some translations use the term “servant” (or “bondservant”), but doulos is best translated “slave” (especially since “in normal usage at the present time the two words [“slave” and “servant”—EL] are carefully distinguished”).5

So what is meant by “slave” or “slavery”? Americans often envision ancient slavery as the kind of oppressive bondage that was popular among many slave owners in North America in the 18th and 19th centuries, when millions of Africans were stolen from their homelands and shipped across the Atlantic. Certainly, some first-century slavery was similar, but often it was quite different. For example, slavery in New Testament times was not based on race. Many foreign soldiers and their families became slaves after being captured during times of war.6 What’s more, “(s)ome became slaves because they could not pay back the money they had borrowed. The government would also take people into slavery if they could not pay their taxes. There were also many cases of poor people selling their children as slaves to richer neighbours.”7

Consider the fact that the ancients would likely interpret certain modern American practices as forms of “slavery.” For example, hundreds of thousands of Americans who work, labor nearly one-third of every year for the government. That is, Americans are forced by the government with the threat of fines and imprisonment to pay over 100 days wages to local, state, and federal governments every year in the form of taxes. Many Americans hand over more money to the government each year than they spend on food, clothing, and shelter combined.8 According to irs.gov, U.S. citizens who fail to pay government-mandated taxes can be prosecuted and imprisoned for up to five years. And what about the military draft—“the practice of ordering people by law to serve in the armed forces”?9 To this day, all 18-25-year-old males in the U.S. are required to register with the Selective Service System in case of “a crisis requiring a draft”10—a draft in which thousands or millions of men would be forced to go to war, and possibly die for their country, whether they wanted to or not.

Please understand, I am not suggesting that we should defraud the government, or that we should refuse to submit to its authority if the draft is reinstated. I am simply suggesting that “slavery” was broadly defined in the first century. When people ask questions such as “Did Paul endorse slavery?” we must understand that there were various kinds of slavery in the first century, including some forms that resemble certain practices today which may be generally accepted and morally justified.
Define “Endorse”

Did Paul “endorse” slavery? The word “endorse” means “to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something).”11 To endorse is to advocate or champion an idea, a thing, or a person. Did Paul “endorse” slavery? Did he champion it or publicly promote it as one advocates a particular product or political candidate? No, at least not the kind of slavery most people think of when they hear the term.

In truth, Paul specifically condemned “kidnappers” (andrapodistais) or “menstealers” (KJV) as lawless and insubordinate individuals who practice that which is “contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10). Danker, et al. defines this kidnapper as a “slave-dealer.”12 Far from endorsing such activity, Paul groups these men-stealing, slave traders with murderers, liars, and other ungodly sinners (1 Timothy 1:9-10).

Yet, five chapters later Paul wrote: “Let as many bondservants [doulos, slaves] as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things” (1 Timothy 6:1-2). What did Paul instruct Timothy to teach the various Christian slaves in the first century? To respect, honor, and even serve their masters (i.e., to set a good example of Christianity before them).
Paul Endorsed Godly Submission, Not Sinful Forms of Slavery

Paul’s instruction for slaves to honor their masters is perfectly consistent with the rest of God’s Word regarding all Christians submitting to those in positions of authority. To the Christians living in the heart of the Roman Empire, Paul taught: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities…. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:1,7; cf. Matthew 22:21).13 Similarly, Peter wrote: “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors…. For this is the will of God…. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:13-17). Was the Roman Empire corrupt in many ways? Certainly. Was a Christian’s submission to Rome a blanket endorsement of the Empire? Not at all. But Christians were (and are) to be humbly compliant.

God expects all Christians to have a spirit of submission. Children are to submit to their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3). Young people are to be submissive to older people (1 Peter 5:5). Wives are to submit to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1-2). Members of local churches are to submit to their overseeing elders who rule over them (Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28). Local shepherds are to submit fully to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4). In short, all Christians, including those in leadership positions, are to “be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5). And, yes, God expects His people to humbly “submit…to every authority instituted among men,” whether to kings or to slave masters (1 Peter 2:13,18, NIV).
Submission for a Higher Purpose

God did not create the practice of slavery. Furthermore, Paul’s inspired instructions regarding a slave’s submission to his master were not given because God favors a master over his slave (Galatians 3:28), or because He simply wants some people to have harder lives than others. The specific purpose that Paul gave for Christian slaves submitting to their pagan masters was “so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1).

Imagine if Christian slave after slave in the first century became less submissive to their masters as they learned more about the equality of all mankind (Genesis 1:26-27). Consider how the reputation of Christianity would have been greatly tarnished in the eyes of the unbelieving world if Paul explicitly taught that all slaves should be set free. As William Barclay noted: “For the Church to have encouraged slaves to revolt and rebel and rise against their masters would have been fatal. It would simply have caused civil war, mass murder, and the complete discredit of the Church.”14

God, in His infinite wisdom, commands all men to do their best to make the most for the cause of Christ in whatever situation they find themselves. “Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave” (1 Corinthians 7:21-23). Whether a person becomes a Christian while in slavery or in a terrible marriage, God wants His people to change from the inside out and have a positive spiritual impact on others. Be obedient to parents, husbands, governing officials, and yes, even slave owners. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Rather than giving people reasons to curse Christ and His doctrine, be obedient to all those in positions of authority “for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13). Be honorable at all times so that you may “put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” and “by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:15,12; cf. 3:1-2). In short, “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 2:6).
Taking Paul’s Teaching to Its Logical Conclusion

Over time, with the spread of Christianity (cf. Acts 19:10,26; 21:20) and with increasing numbers of slave masters becoming Christians, the physical lives of many slaves would have improved dramatically. As slave owners with honest and good hearts learned (1) to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and (2) to love their neighbors (including their slaves) as themselves (Matthew 22:36-40), they would give up “threatening” (Ephesians 6:9). As Christian slave owners contemplated treating others how they want to be treated (Matthew 7:12), they would give their slaves “what is just and fair,” knowing that they, too, had a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1). As slave owners submitted to Christ, they would be transformed by the Gospel, learning to be “kindly affectionate” to everyone (Romans 12:2,10), including all those who served them. In short, far from endorsing sinful slavery, Paul’s teachings, taken to their logical conclusion, would eventually lead truth-seeking masters and government officials to help bring an end to any kind of cruel, sinful captivity.15

Endnotes

1 “History of Slavery” (no date), History World, www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac41 (http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac41).
2 “Code of Hammurabi, King of Babylon” (no date), https://archive.org/stream/cu31924060109703/cu31924060109703_djvu.txt. (https://archive.org/stream/cu31924060109703/cu31924060109703_djvu.txt.)
3 Walter Scheidel (2007), “The Roman Slave Supply,” p. 6, https://www.princeton.edu/~pswpc/pdfs/scheidel/050704.pdf. (https://www.princeton.edu/~pswpc/pdfs/scheidel/050704.pdf.)
4 Scheidel, pp. 3-6.
5 Frederick William Danker, William Arndt, and F.W. Gingrich (2000), Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Chicago: University of Chicago), p. 260.
6 John Simkin (2014), “Slavery in the Roman Empire,” Spartacus Educational, http://spartacus-educational.com/ROMslaves.htm. (http://spartacus-educational.com/ROMslaves.htm.)
7 Simkin.
8 Scott Greenberg (no date), Tax Foundation, https://taxfoundation.org/tax-freedom-day-2016-april-24/. (https://taxfoundation.org/tax-freedom-day-2016-april-24/.)
9 “Conscription,” Merriam-Webster.com, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscription, (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscription,) emp. added.
10 “Who Must Register” (2008), Selective Service System, https://web.archive.org/web/20090507213840/http://www.sss.gov/FSwho.htm. (https://web.archive.org/web/20090507213840/http://www.sss.gov/FSwho.htm.)
11 “Endorse,” Merriam-Webster.com, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endorse. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endorse.)
12 Danker, et al., p. 76.
13 All bold text in Scripture quotations has been added for emphasis.
14 William Barclay (1956), The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Philadelphia: Westminster), p. 141.
15 For a more extensive response to questions regarding slavery, and especially slavery in the Old Testament, see Kyle Butt (2005), “Defending the Bible’s Position on Slavery,” Reason & Revelation, 25[6]:41-47, June, https://www.apologeticspress.org/pub_rar/25_6/0506.pdf. (https://www.apologeticspress.org/pub_rar/25_6/0506.pdf.)