As we seek to understand biblical principles in the current age we inevitably hit a number of roadblocks. One of these I keep hearing different views on is how best to apply the slave/master relationship that often pokes it's little head up in the New Testament letters.Which of these options do you think best captures the movement to modern minds?
Slave/master is the equivalent of
1. Any job where you have someone working above you2. Any relationship entered into where you are under longstanding obligations e.g. A home loan3. There is no equivalent.
Others?
I don't think it's the work/boss relationship. I think the bank relationship is closer. Given that slavery in Jewish law was related to debt.
ReplyDeleteBut isn't there a more personal attitude to this than just a 'business' transaction? I may be completely wrong in this, but didn't slaves live in the same homes as their masters?
ReplyDeleteI guess this would move the equivalent away from the bank, but I'm not sure where to.
Will do some more thinking...
Brucey argued this morning that the work/boss relationship is pretty much similar. He reckoned most slavery in the Graeco-Roman world was selling yourself into bonded service for 7 years. He likened it to a long-term employment contract. Especially as there were benefits to be gained at the end. (you could get Roman citizenship out of it)
ReplyDeleteI am still pondering the right way to approach this. The reality is the exact relationship will never be found identically to 1st century Palestine. So what is the essence of the relationship that would help us apply today?
ReplyDeleteI would say, in reply to Luke, that if you've borrowed money from a bank, you are living in their house...
ReplyDelete