The Problem of War

In 1861, Ebenezer W. Warren, delivers a sermon titled, “The Scriptural Vindication of Slavery.” Within a few years, this pastor of the First Baptist Church of Macon, Georgia writes a 208-page book titled, “Nellie Norton: Or, Southern Slavery and the Bible. A Scriptural Refutation of the Principal Arguments upon which the Abolitionists Rely. A Vindication of Southern Slavery from the Old and New Testaments.” His sermons and writings used numerous Old and New Testament scriptures to defend the practice of slavery as it was in the Confederate States.

Around 130 years earlier, two young Moravian men learned of the need for missionaries to the slaves of St. Thomas and accepted the call. When Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann were asked how they would live, Nitschmann replied, “We shall work as slaves among the slaves.” They were going with the prayers of their church, but without a guide to follow, a mission society to provide for their needs, or a large initial sum of money to support their travel. They had received no clear instructions, except “to do all in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

Warren, Dober, and Nitschmann read the same Bible with the same Old and New Testaments but came to completely different interpretations on how to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One, justified racial oppression for the economic benefit of his nation, while the others were willing to be oppressed for the eternal benefit of others. For Session 1, we will look at Warren’s sermon to determine how we may avoid some of the same and similar mistakes with applying scripture and prayerfully bring peace instead of oppression.

The Scriptural Vindication of Slavery

Warren’s sermon uses verses found throughout the Old and New Testament. Four of the most prominent are listed below. For the others, see the references section for a link to his sermon. With these verses and others, he proves clearly that:

That slavery was instituted by God, who accompanied it with his decree making it perpetual.
That Christ recognized its existence, enforced its obligations, and regulated its connections.
That Paul and Peter, inspired apostles, elaborated upon the subject, and showed the religious obligations under which servants are bound to obey their masters.

Old Testament

Curse of Ham

he said: Canaan will be cursed. He will be the lowest of slaves to his brothers. He also said: Praise the Lord, the God of Shem; Canaan will be his slave. God will extend Japheth; he will dwell in the tents of Shem; Canaan will be his slave. Genesis 9:25-27

Laws Regulating Slavery

Your male and female slaves are to be from the nations around you; you may purchase male and female slaves. You may also purchase them from the foreigners staying with you, or from their families living among you—those born in your land. These may become your property. You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But concerning your brothers, the Israelites, you must not rule over one another harshly. Leviticus 25:44-46

New Testament

The Teachings of Jesus

“Which one of you having a slave tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’? Does he thank that slave because he did what was commanded? Luke 17:7-9

Paul’s Letters

Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. Ephesians 6:5-8

Discussion Questions

1. What scriptures come to your mind that may lead to a different conclusion about slavery?

Compare: Genesis 15:13-14, Deuteronomy 28:15,68, and Leviticus 19:34 with Genesis 9:25-27

2. Does race determine who God allows to become a slave?

Compare: Leviticus 25:23, Leviticus 25:55, Deuteronomy 23:15-16, and Exodus 21:27 with Leviticus 25:44-46

3. What would happen if the South implemented the other laws relating land and slavery?

Compare: Luke 1:38, Luke 1:48, and Matthew 18:21-35 with Luke 17:7-9

4. What can we learn from the merciful master?

Compare: Ephesians 6:9 and 1 Corinthians 7:21-22 with Ephesians 6:5-8.

5. How does this change the master and slave relationship?

6. How do these scriptures give a new perspective on slavery in the Bible?

7. What were the social, political, and economic factors that played a part in the way Southerners interpret the Bible before the Civil War?

8. What would be the consequences for a Southerner to believe slavery was wrong?

9. Do you believe there are social, political, and economic factors today that may lead fellow Christians to misinterpret the Bible? List them.

Summary

When we study the Bible, we often wear blinders when we come across verses that are not socially, politically, or economically beneficial to us or does not fit into our worldview. We only see what we are directly studying, but not the whole picture of what God is doing or has done in the past. Scripture is always interpreted through the readers worldview either consciously or unconsciously. A worldview is a basic set of assumptions and beliefs by which a person interprets and judge reality. It is how we make since of the world. We try to study the Bible by considering Biblical and historical context, Greek and Hebrew word study, consulting commentaries, but we most likely would had agreed with Pastor Warren if we had lived in Macon, Georgia. We can gather a little of Warren’s worldview from his sermon.

The serfs of other nations are discontented, and not unfrequently mobs are raised, and depredations of a serious character committed by them; but the South is, always has been, and always will be, free from danger from her domestics. Should they increase ten-fold, but little, if any, damage is ever anticipated from a spirit of insubordination. The reasons are obvious. An unparalleled progress in civilization and Christianity has resulted to them, from this domestic relation.

Warren’s worldview consisted of the below assumptions and beliefs:

The South is unique among nations because they do not have slave rebellions.
The South was and always will be a Christian Nation.
Due to the progress of Christianity, the South could maintain a large of number of slaves without a significant rebellion from slaves.

By assuming his nation was a Christian nation, he placed himself in a predicament. Because slavery was so prevalent in the South, he could not preach against slavery unless he also admitted that the South was not a Christian nation. Because how could a Christian nation so widely support sin of slavery. His only option was to support slavery.

What is your worldview pertaining to your nation and war? Why does God allow war? Does God determine the winner? Why or Why not? Do you believe God is for you, if you are successful in war? Is God against you, if you lose the war? Was God with America for World War 2, but not for Vietnam? Then was he for America for the Gulf Wars and Afghanistan?

As we study, our goal is to match our worldview with a Biblical worldview. However, we must realize that we all read the Bible through a preset worldview made up of assumptions and previous beliefs. We must be willing to transform our worldview into a Biblical worldview. The Bible is true nobody where or when it is read. Putting ourselves in other believer’s shoes may help us. Would reading the Bible as a eighteenth century slave or a second century persecuted Christian change the way you interpret the Bible? What would be their worldviews?

Why start a study on war and peace, with an old scripture debate that has long been settled?

It is possible for the church to support teachings contrary to the purpose of God. If the South had won the war, how much longer could the church had supported slavery? How much did these sermons support Jim Crow laws for the next century? Even in modern times and churches, the ripple effect of these teachings are still being witnessed. If the church can support antebellum slavery, could it be wrong on other areas?
Many arguments used to justify slavery are also used to justify Christians killing in war. Several statements from Warrens’ sermon on slavery have been slightly modified to show how scripture supports war.

Scriptural Support for Slavery	Scriptural Support for War
Slavery forms a vital element of the Divine Revelation to man. Its institution, regulation, and perpetuity, constitute a part of many of the books of the Bible.	War forms a vital element of the Divine Revelation to man. Its institution, regulation, and perpetuity, constitute a part of many of the books of the Bible.
The blessed Savior descended from a slave-holder, Abraham	The blessed Savior descended from a soldier, David
Jesus never denounced slavery	Jesus never denounced war
Jesus illustrates gospel truths by an allusion to the institution and by implication, endorses and commends it. (Luke 17:7-9)	Jesus illustrates gospel truths by an allusion to the institution and by implication, endorses and commends it. (Luke 14:31)
Had Paul considered slavery wrong, here was a most appropriate occasion to express that belief. (Philemon)	Had Peter considered being a soldier wrong, here was a most appropriate occasion to express that belief. (Acts 10)
That slaves are required by their religious obligations, to obey their masters. (Ephesians 6:5-8)	That citizens are required by their religious obligations, to obey their government. (Romans 13:1-2)

Looking ahead: We will examine verses pertaining to the beginning of war in the Old Testament. Genesis 4:8-12; Genesis 9:5-6; Genesis 14:11-24; Genesis 15:13-16

Exercises

Pray to be open to whatever the Lord may reveal through His scriptures no matter the social, political, or economic cost.
Pray for racial tensions that are still felt around the world due to scriptures being used to justify slavery.
Pray for the millions of people still being sold as slaves today.
Read the Bible this week as if you are a persecuted believer in a foreign land. It is the way many Christians read their Bible today.
Record the results of a brief survey. During the civil war, which side had the more just cause for war? The North for preserving the Union and freeing the slaves, or the South in defending state rights and defending their homeland. Come to class next week prepared to share your findings.
What are your assumptions and beliefs pertaining to your nation and war?

References

Warren, Ebenezer W. The Scriptural Vindication Of Slavery. http://civilwarbaptists.com/thisdayinhistory/1861-january-27/

Warren, Ebenezer W. Nellie Norton: Or, Southern Slavery and the Bible. A Scriptural Refutation of the Principal Arguments upon which the Abolitionists Rely. A Vindication of Southern Slavery from the Old and New Testaments. http://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/warren/warren.html

Hutton, J. E. A History Of The Moravian Church. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/hutton/moravian.v.vi.html