Is Slavery Sanctioned by the Bible?

The book opens amid a nation‑wide clash over slavery, a conflict that has seeped into every public arena—from legislative halls to church pulpits. Both proponents and opponents reach for the same source, the Bible, to justify their opposing views, each claiming divine endorsement for their stance. By framing the debate as a moral and theological showdown, the author sets the stage for a careful, scholarly inquiry.

To untangle the issue, the work first clarifies what modern American law means by “chattel slavery,” distinguishing it from familial ties, apprenticeships, contractual service, and feudal serfdom. Detailed legal definitions from Louisiana and South Carolina illustrate how the institution reduces a person to mere property. The author then turns to the Scriptures, beginning with Hebrew terms for servitude and examining the Old Testament’s treatment of bonded labor.

Through close textual analysis and historical context, the discussion aims to determine whether the biblical record truly sanctions the ownership of humans or stands in opposition to it, inviting listeners to weigh the evidence before reaching their own conclusions.