God Does Not Endorse Slavery in the Bible: The Case for Divine Accommodation

TL;DR

This article explores the challenging topic of slavery in the Bible through the lens of divine accommodation, drawing parallels with software development and system architecture. Key points:

1. God fundamentally opposes slavery, as evidenced by the Exodus narrative.

2. Biblical laws on slavery were "patches" to an existing system, gradually steering towards abolition.

3. Divine accommodation is God's method of working within human cultural frameworks to guide moral progress.

4. The Bible's approach differs significantly from chattel slavery, resembling more closely indentured servitude with protections.

5. New Testament teachings lay the theological groundwork for slavery's eventual abolition.

6. This perspective offers insights for apologetics, discipleship, and evangelism in our tech-driven world.

In the early days of social media, Twitter faced a peculiar challenge. Users had organically developed the concept of retweeting, but there was no built-in functionality for it. People were manually copying and pasting tweets, prefixing them with "RT @username". Twitter's solution wasn't to ban this practice or immediately roll out a fully-fledged retweet feature. Instead, they initially added simple retweet functionality that mimicked the manual process, gradually evolving it into the more sophisticated feature we know today[^1]. This approach of working within existing user behavior to guide platform evolution mirrors a profound theological concept: divine accommodation.

As an Enterprise Architect, ordained minister, and social media enthusiast, I often find myself navigating between ideal solutions and the realities of existing systems and user behaviors. This tension between the perfect and the possible resonates deeply with my understanding of God's interactions with humanity, particularly in the contentious issue of slavery in the Bible.

The question of slavery in Scripture is one that has long troubled believers and provided ammunition for skeptics. At first glance, it might seem that God endorses or at least tolerates slavery. However, this surface-level reading fails to account for the complex interplay between divine ideals and human realities. It's akin to judging Twitter's strategy based solely on their initial, simplistic retweet implementation, without considering the long-term vision and gradual evolution of the platform.

Let's consider a critical question: Why would God rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt if He endorses it or considers it morally acceptable? This divine act of liberation, central to the biblical narrative, provides a crucial key to understanding God's stance on slavery.

The Exodus story isn't merely a historical account; it's a defining narrative that shapes Israel's identity and ethics. God repeatedly reminds the Israelites of their liberation: "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there" (Deuteronomy 24:18, ESV). This refrain becomes the basis for numerous moral teachings, particularly regarding the treatment of the vulnerable.

This liberation narrative establishes God's fundamental opposition to slavery as an institution. It's the equivalent of a company's mission statement or core values - a foundational principle that shapes all subsequent actions and decisions. Just as a tech company's commitment to user privacy should inform all its product decisions, God's act of liberation becomes the lens through which we must view all subsequent biblical laws and narratives related to slavery.

However, we then encounter what seems to be a contradiction: laws in the Bible that appear to regulate rather than abolish slavery. This is where the concept of divine accommodation becomes crucial. Divine accommodation suggests that God, in His interactions with humanity, often works within existing cultural frameworks to gradually guide people towards higher moral standards.

As an Enterprise Architect, I see parallels with how we implement large-scale changes in complex systems. A complete, immediate overhaul often leads to system shock, user rebellion, or outright failure. Instead, we often implement changes gradually, working within existing structures while steering towards an ideal state. This approach allows for system stability and user adaptation while still moving towards the ultimate goal.

This understanding of divine accommodation isn't limited to the issue of slavery. In fact, Jesus himself explicitly references this concept in Matthew 19:8 (ESV), when discussing divorce: "Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so." This statement provides a clear biblical basis for the idea that God sometimes accommodates human weakness and cultural norms while still maintaining a higher ideal. It's akin to how we in tech often have to support legacy systems or outdated protocols while simultaneously pushing for newer, more efficient standards.

Other examples of divine accommodation in Scripture include God's acquiescence to Israel's demand for a king (1 Samuel 8), despite it not being His ideal plan, and the tolerance of polygamy in the Old Testament, even though monogamy was clearly the original design (Genesis 2:24). In each case, we see God working within existing cultural frameworks to gradually guide His people towards higher standards, much like how we implement incremental updates and migrations in complex software systems.

To truly understand the Bible's approach to slavery, we must distinguish between different forms of servitude prevalent in the ancient world and compare them to the biblical regulations. This analysis is akin to how we, as Enterprise Architects, must carefully differentiate between various system architectures and data governance models when evaluating legacy systems for modernization.

Forced chattel slavery, the form most familiar to modern readers due to the transatlantic slave trade, treated humans as property to be bought, sold, and inherited. This dehumanizing system finds no support in Scripture. In fact, the Bible's approach actively undermines the foundations of chattel slavery. Consider Exodus 21:16 (ESV): "Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death." This law effectively criminalizes the slave trade, striking at the very heart of chattel slavery. It's comparable to implementing a zero-tolerance policy for data theft or unauthorized access in our systems – a clear statement that certain actions are fundamentally unacceptable.

Indentured servitude, on the other hand, was a time-limited contract often entered into voluntarily to pay off debts. The biblical laws regarding Hebrew servants align more closely with this model. Exodus 21:2 (ESV) states, "When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing." This time-limited service with a clear exit strategy is more akin to fixed-term employment contracts or service level agreements (SLAs) in the tech world than to chattel slavery. Furthermore, the Bible mandates humane treatment and provides protections for those in servitude, much like how modern labor laws and workplace regulations protect employees.

The Ancient Near East (ANE) war rights, which often resulted in the enslavement of conquered peoples, present perhaps the most challenging aspect to modern sensibilities. Deuteronomy 20:10-15 provides guidelines for warfare that include the option of enslaving conquered peoples. However, it's crucial to understand these laws in their historical context. In an era where the total annihilation of defeated populations was common, these laws actually represented a more humane approach. They're analogous to how early internet protocols, while far from perfect by today's standards, were a significant improvement over completely closed, proprietary systems.

Moreover, the biblical laws even in this context provide protections that were revolutionary for their time. Deuteronomy 23:15-16 (ESV) states, "You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he shall choose within one of your towns, wherever it suits him. You shall not wrong him." This law effectively created a system of asylum for escaped slaves, undermining the very notion of slaves as property. It's comparable to how modern cybersecurity practices include protections for whistleblowers and ethical hackers who expose vulnerabilities.

The Bible's approach to slavery, when viewed in its totality, reveals a consistent trajectory towards human dignity and freedom. While it doesn't call for an immediate abolition of all forms of servitude – which would have been as disruptive in the ancient world as suddenly shutting down all centralized databases would be today – it implements regulations and principles that gradually undermine the institution.

This nuanced approach reflects the complexity we often face in systems architecture. Just as we can't always immediately replace legacy systems without risking critical failures, God works within existing social structures to bring about change. The biblical laws on slavery serve as "patches" and "updates" to the existing social "code," gradually steering it towards a more just and equitable state.

For instance, the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) mandated the regular release of slaves and return of property, serving as a periodic "system reset" that prevented the perpetuation of inequality. This is reminiscent of how we might implement regular data purges or access resets in our systems to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary privileges or data bloat.

In the New Testament, we see this trajectory continue and accelerate. Paul's letter to Philemon, urging him to receive his runaway slave Onesimus as a "beloved brother," represents a radical reframing of the master-slave relationship. It's akin to how the shift from hierarchical to peer-to-peer networks fundamentally changed our conception of internet architecture.

The New Testament continues this trajectory. While it doesn't call for an immediate abolition of slavery (which would have been as disruptive as suddenly shutting down all centralized social media platforms), it lays theological groundwork that ultimately undermines the institution:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

This declaration of equality in Christ transcends social status, providing a theological basis for the eventual abolition of slavery. It's comparable to how the early internet's vision of open information exchange laid the groundwork for today's decentralized web technologies.

The concept of being a "slave of Christ," far from reinforcing slavery, subverts it by placing all believers, regardless of social status, in submission to God. It's a rhetorical move akin to how modern platforms use terms like "community guidelines" to establish universal standards that apply to all users, regardless of their follower count or verification status.

Critics might argue that this gradual approach still allowed for the suffering of slaves in the interim. As difficult as this is to grapple with, we must consider the alternative. An immediate, universal abolition of slavery in the ancient world would have led to societal collapse, potentially causing even more suffering. It's comparable to how an abrupt shutdown of all social media platforms today, despite their issues, would cause significant social and economic disruption.

Instead, God works within human systems to bring about lasting change. This divine pedagogy respects human free will and the realities of social change. It's a "minimum viable product" approach to moral development - starting with achievable changes that point towards the ultimate goal.

As an Enterprise Architect, I've learned that the most successful long-term transformations often start with small, strategic changes that gain user buy-in and gradually shift behavior. Similarly, God's approach to slavery in the Bible shows a divine strategy of incremental change, always pushing towards the ultimate goal of human dignity and freedom.

This understanding of divine accommodation provides a framework for addressing other challenging ethical issues in Scripture. It helps us see the Bible not as a static rulebook, but as a dynamic account of God's ongoing interaction with humanity, always pulling us towards higher moral ground.

For apologists, this perspective offers a nuanced response to critiques of biblical ethics. It acknowledges the difficult passages while providing a coherent framework for understanding them within the larger biblical narrative.

For discipleship, it encourages a deeper, more thoughtful engagement with Scripture. It challenges us to look beyond surface-level readings to understand the trajectory of God's work in human history.

For evangelism, it presents a God who is both transcendent in His ideals and immanent in His methods - a God who meets people where they are to lead them where they ought to be.

In conclusion, the issue of slavery in the Bible, viewed through the lens of divine accommodation, reveals a God who is uncompromising in His opposition to oppression yet infinitely patient in His methods. It's a perspective that resonates with the complexities we face in systems architecture and platform development - the challenge of implementing ideal solutions in imperfect environments.

As we engage with skeptics, disciple believers, and share our faith, let's embrace this nuanced understanding. Let's be willing to grapple with the difficult questions, confident that deeper engagement with Scripture reveals not a flawed text, but a masterful divine strategy. And let's apply this principle of "progressive implementation" in our own lives and communities, always working towards God's ideals while meeting people where they are.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and social media, may we be inspired by this divine model - persistently pushing towards the ideal, yet always grounded in the realities of the present. For in this balance of vision and pragmatism, we find not just better systems, but a reflection of God's own redemptive work in the world.

[^1]: Stone, B. (2009). "Project Retweet: Phase One". Twitter Blog.

Hell is not arbitrary torture, it’s just and righteous punishment for cosmic treason

In the early days of social media, a seemingly innocuous tweet by Justine Sacco sparked a global firestorm. Her ill-conceived joke about AIDS in Africa led to her immediate termination and worldwide condemnation. This incident, now known as "Justine Sacco's Twitter Disaster," serves as a stark reminder of how a single act can have far-reaching consequences in our interconnected world. It's a fitting analogy as we delve into a topic of infinitely greater significance: the biblical perspective on hell and the concept of cosmic treason.

As an Enterprise Architect, I've learned that understanding the fundamental architecture of a system is crucial for grasping its purpose and function. Similarly, as an ordained minister and layman apologist, I've come to realize that comprehending the nature of God and His creation is essential for grasping the reality and purpose of hell.

The concept of hell is often misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture. It's frequently portrayed as a place of arbitrary torture, a divine overreaction to human foibles. However, this view fails to grasp the profound gravity of sin and the nature of our relationship with our Creator.

Hell, in its essence, is not torture. It is just punishment for cosmic treason. This may sound harsh to modern ears, but consider the magnitude of the offense. We are not talking about a mere transgression against a human authority or social convention. We're discussing rebellion against the eternal Sovereign of the universe.

To truly grasp this, we must first understand the nature of God as revealed in Scripture. He is not merely a powerful being among many, but the source of all existence, the ground of all being. As the psalmist declares, "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1, ESV). Every breath we take, every thought we think, is ultimately derived from and sustained by Him.

Moreover, this Sovereign is not a distant, impersonal force. He is a personal being of infinite goodness, love, and holiness. The apostle John succinctly captures this truth: "God is love" (1 John 4:8, ESV). This same God, in an act of unfathomable grace, created free beings in His own image, designed for eternal communion with Him.

Given this context, sin - particularly the willful rejection of God - takes on a far more serious character than we often realize. It's not just breaking a rule; it's a fundamental betrayal of our very purpose and nature. It's akin to a computer virus not just corrupting a few files, but attempting to rewrite the core operating system itself.

The worst thing imaginable, then, is cosmic treason against this eternal Sovereign. And yet, in a display of love that defies comprehension, this same Sovereign was willing to endure indescribable punishment by the Father and torture from Man for the sake of those very rebels made in His image.

As C.S. Lewis poignantly observed, "It costs God nothing, so far as we know, to create nice things; but to convert rebellious wills cost Him crucifixion."[^1] The cross stands as the ultimate demonstration of both the severity of our treason and the depth of God's love.

In light of this, the eternal nature of hell becomes more comprehensible. We are eternal beings, created for eternal existence. Our decisions and allegiances have eternal weight. Rebellion against an eternal Sovereign, by beings designed for eternal existence, logically results in eternal consequences.

To question the severity of this punishment only demonstrates a lack of comprehension of the profound gravity of rebellion against the eternal Sovereign. It's akin to a software engineer questioning why a single line of malicious code should crash an entire system. The issue isn't the size of the transgression, but its fundamental incompatibility with the system's core architecture.

This raises a question: Why would a good God allow the possibility of such rebellion in the first place? The answer lies in the nature of love and free will. God allowed free agency and the potential for rebellion as a logically necessary circumstance to realize His good purpose: the glorification of the Son as Lord, Judge, and King over free beings made fit for eternal communion.

In the world of technology, we understand that the possibility of system failure is an inherent risk of creating complex, autonomous systems. Yet we deem the benefits of such systems worth the risk. Similarly, God deemed the possibility of having beings freely choose to love and commune with Him as ultimately worth the risk of rebellion.

So, even though the necessary consequences of free agency resulted in incredible suffering for His beloved Son, the outcome of having some come into loving relationship with Him was deemed to be of eternal value. As Jesus himself said, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7, ESV).

This brings us to a crucial point: the Sovereign has revealed Himself in Creation, so that none have an excuse, yet many suppress the truth. As Paul writes in Romans, "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse" (Romans 1:19-20, ESV).

Just as we can deduce much about a programmer from examining their code, or an architect from studying their designs, we can perceive much about God from His creation. The intricate complexity of life, the vast expanse of the cosmos, the universal human longing for meaning and purpose - all these point to a Creator of unimaginable power, intelligence, and intentionality.

Yet, as in the tech world where confirmation bias can lead to overlooking critical flaws in one's own code, our fallen nature can blind us to the evidence of God's existence and character. As Paul continues, "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21, ESV).

This is why apologetics and evangelism are so crucial. We're not merely sharing personal preferences or cultural traditions. We're declaring reality as it truly is, calling people to align themselves with the fundamental architecture of existence.

The good news is that reconciliation is possible. The qualifications for receiving pardon are beautifully simple: loving God and loving others. As Jesus summarized, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39, ESV).

This offer of pardon, sealed by Christ's sacrifice, is extended to all. The question is: Will we accept it? Will we submit to the rule of the Sovereign and Creator of the universe? Will we accept allegiance to and communion with the Sovereign as revealed in Scripture and nature?

It's important to note that this isn't about blind acceptance of any claimed deity. The one true Sovereign is the God of the Bible, not Vishnu or any other deity. We have compelling reasons to trust Biblical revelation over other claimed revelations, including its historical reliability, fulfilled prophecies, and internal consistency. The transformative power of the Gospel throughout history further attests to its divine origin.

Some may object that the world we see doesn't seem to reflect a perfect Creator. But this objection misunderstands the biblical narrative. You're right that creation isn't perfect now, but that's due to humanity's fall into sin. The world we see is broken, yet even in its fallen state, creation still declares God's glory (Psalm 19:1). The intricate design and fine-tuning of the universe point to a Creator, much like how even a malfunctioning piece of software can reveal the skill of its original programmer.

In conclusion, the biblical perspective on hell is not one of arbitrary torture, but of just consequences for cosmic treason. It reflects both the severity of our rebellion and the magnitude of God's love and justice. As ambassadors of Christ in the digital age, we have a responsibility to communicate this truth with clarity, compassion, and conviction.

Practical advice for apologetics, discipleship, and evangelism in light of this understanding:

1. Cultivate a deep appreciation for God's holiness and love. This will inform how we present the Gospel and understand the severity of sin.

2. Use analogies from technology and social media to illustrate spiritual truths. Just as a single tweet can have global repercussions, our spiritual decisions have eternal consequences.

3. Emphasize the evidence for God's existence in creation and conscience. Encourage people to honestly examine the world around them and the longings within them.

4. Present the Gospel as an invitation to reconciliation and purpose, not just escape from punishment. Frame it in terms of restored relationship with our Creator.

5. Be prepared to address objections about the justice of hell. Use analogies to help people understand the gravity of rebellion against an infinite God.

6. Live out the reality of God's love and holiness in your own life. Your transformed life can be a powerful testimony to the truth of the Gospel.

7. Leverage social media and technology to spread the message, but always with wisdom and grace. Remember Justine Sacco's cautionary tale.

8. Foster communities (both online and offline) where seekers can explore these truths in a safe, loving environment.

9. Continually deepen your own understanding of theology and apologetics. The digital age requires Christians who can engage thoughtfully with complex ideas.

10. Above all, rely on the Holy Spirit's power in your witness. As Paul reminded the Corinthians, "My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:4, ESV).

In an age of viral misinformation and digital echo chambers, the clear proclamation of biblical truth is more crucial than ever. May we faithfully declare the reality of both divine justice and divine love, calling all to reconciliation with their Creator.

[^1]: C.S. Lewis, "The Problem of Pain" (HarperOne, 2001), 99.