Imagine, if you can, that slavery was still legal and in practice. Americans by-and-large accepted it even though it was considered to be a bit edgy. Where would churches stand?
“Isn’t it obvious?” you say, “that all churches would oppose it?” Doubtful, especially if slavery enjoyed the popular support of hipster culture and showed continual support from the media. There would be Presbyterians who would argue the following:
1. Although many Christians argue from general themes and principles that Scripture clearly opposes slavery as a dehumanizing practice, nowhere is it explicitly condemned.
2. Even if most Americans are “uncomfortable” with the idea practicing slavery, it is up to the people involved to make the decision--it is essentially a question of individual liberty. If someone wants to be a slaveowner or slave (we call them bondservants), why shouldn’t they be allowed to do as they please as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else?
3. Just because you don’t like--perhaps even fear--slavery doesn’t mean others should be prohibited from it as a practice--it is a free country.
4. Who is to say that the bondservant relationship can’t be characterized by grace, peace, and love? Isn’t it better that bondservitude be loving and caring rather than cruel and exploitative?
5. While I myself have no interest in either having or becoming a bondservant, I see no reason why others who are drawn that way should be barred from ordination because of it.
Just so, there would also be Presbyterians who were Abolitionists, who would argue that the whims of our host culture do not determine right and wrong for the Church. Christians must be united against the practice of slavery (please, let’s call it what it is) which clearly runs against the Spirit--if not the literal wording--of Scripture.
As to ordination, the Church never allows a host culture to dictate its terms. The Church is not--cannot be--ruled by popular vote, but must be guided by its best understanding of what the Bible leads us to do and believe.
Not only should we refuse ordination to anyone who practices slavery, but we should refuse to ordain anyone who believes slavery is a good thing and advocates for it.
Diversity does NOT include a belief that slavery is okay.
We are to seek the role of Abolitionists wherever and whenever Americans seek to justify practices that Scripture--rightly interpreted--calls sinful.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
