SLAVERY - PAST & PRESENT
RECONCILIATION:
The book of Philemon gives a solution that may surprise you
THE PAST
It is the first century and
The
book of Philemon is a personal letter from Paul in Rome
to Philemon in Colossae
Onesimus
is an unreliable and dishonest slave who runs away from his master, Philemon.
In Rome
The
context suggests that Onesimus used “passive- aggressive” resistance in his
role as a slave. Moreover, he probably stole from his master Philemon and then
ran away. Because he broke all the rules and laws he was probably marked for
severe punishment or maybe even death. It was a seriously fractured
relationship! While an escapee, Paul teaches him the Godly principles of
relationship: truthfulness, forgiveness and abundant grace. These foster a
loving family closeness where each one freely gives without thought of getting
in return. Paul and Onesimus develop an intimate father/son like relationship
that refreshes Paul. Onesimus grows in character as a man and becomes
spiritually mature. Paul believes it is time for Christ-like relationship
principles to be applied to an unhealthy situation and, as the law requires,
sends Onesimus back to Philemon but with his personal letter of explanation.
Paul
in his letter recalls the many wonderful relationships with people in the house
church led by Philemon. He uses terms of endearment to re-enforce how fellow believers
relate in healthy beneficial ways, rather than the cultures relationship model
of getting even, getting more or getting revenge.
Paul
had probably taught Philemon to be fair and just in treating slaves, as
explained in his instructions to households in Colossians 3: 18 – 25 & 4:1.
Any good treatment of Onesimus by Philemon has turned out to be an
embarrassment. Philemon is certainly under pressure from his household and
others to use the culture’s rules of relationship – retribution! Paul as a good
counselor understands this is a difficult position for Philemon and wisely
practices Godly relationship skill by requesting, not ordering, forgiveness and
acceptance. This shifts the decision-making from external pressure to inner
application of core values and the work of the Holy Spirit. Since Onesimus is
without assets to compensate for his theft, Paul offers to cover the cost and complete
the reconciliation process.
Philemon
and Onesimus now have the opportunity to demonstrate that healthy Godly
relationships can overcome unhealthy cultural relationships. Philemon can now
understand that God has used events to turn a useless recalcitrant slave into a
productive man of character who will be loyal as a brother. It is only the
power of God that enables one to set aside past hurts, insults, losses, anger
and resentment and transcend into brotherly love as demonstrated by the life
and death of Jesus.
THE
PRESENT
Today,
Americans deeply believe in freedom and slavery is seen as evil. But through
the 1700’s this was not true. Slavery was an economic necessity and was
commonly accepted and legal all over the world. Both Thomas Jefferson and
George Washington owned slaves and were highly respected men at that time.
During the eighteen century, the slave trade accounted for the transport of a
staggering 11 million Africans, about 1.4 million died during the voyage. It
was the evangelical Christian movement, led by William Wilberforce (1759 –
1833) that enacted the abolition of slavery in the British
Empire on July 29, 1833. In the United States United States Western Europe .
Even
today slavery is practiced with 30 million people caught in human trafficking
primarily in atheistic East Europe and Islamic
Northern Africa.Today
is a thriving economic industry that nets billions of dollars annually.
In
many Islamic countries under Muslim Sharia Law women are treated like slaves;
brutalized, mutilated, raped (required sex without mutual consent), stoned,
deprived of education and freedom to move about freely, and required to cover
themselves with burkas (National Geographic, Dec 2010, pages 28-53). Women have
willingly or unwillingly traded freedom for security. This is a challenge for
Christians to change the world with the love of Christ.
THE
SOLUTION
Christians
in America
Jesus
during his earthly ministry did not focus on political and social reform. He
did not take political action or initiate social reforms. He concentrated on
changing people’s hearts and minds. When people incorporate the love, grace,
justice and truth of God into their soul, their minds change and that is what
happened.
As
William Wilberforce, the English Christian reformer, who ended slavery in England Kingdom
of God
When
there is enough “salt and light” in a culture you can have the benefits of
limited government with democracy, economic free enterprise and personal
liberty. It is emancipating a person from their fallen sinful thinking and
behaviors that allows the inner freedom to relate constructively.
If
Christ-like masters and Christ-like slaves can make an adversarial relationship
like slavery work more productively and equitably, the same is true for
employer/employee relationships, husband/wife relationships, parent/child
relations, teacher/student relationships etc.
