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Pastor-to-People
There is a fancy word for interpretation. That word is hermeneutics. So when studying the Bible, we bring our own "hermeneutical theory" to understand a certain text. Sometimes we take a text literally, like Matthew 25. We are told to feed the hungry, give the thirsty something to drink, take care of the sick, and visit the prisoner. Sometimes we take a text to be more symbolic: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven." (Matt 19:23-26). We have a built-in theory as to how we take a text.
So this Sunday Apr 6 after worship in Adult Christian Education we will explore the whole question of slavery in the Bible. What "hermeneutical theory" do we bring to this issue? It is clear that slavery as an institution was pervasive in both the Old and the New Testament period. Israel once was held in Egyptian slavery, but when freed Israel herself had slaves from foreign lands and indentured servants from their own people. In the New Testament, the Roman Empire recognized slavery, most of whom were people defeated in wars. Slaves did the heavy lifting throughout the empire.
Paul deals with a runaway slave in the letter to Philemon, his shortest letter. I invite you to consider what it means that a Christian named Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus who had run away to attach himself to Paul, who is in prison! What does Paul say about all that? Come on Sunday morning to find out. You can even read Philemon for yourself!
Then let's struggle with our own hermeneutical principles in order to interpret how Christians should consider slavery. Here's a hint. There has been intense disagreement. In America, Philemon was the most preached-upon book in the New Testament from 1850-1861. Can you guess why? Read the letter carefully to see how pro- and anti-slavery preachers used this text to justify their own positions. In hermeneutical theory this is called bringing our "pre-understandings" to the text. Or should I say, our prejudices? What prejudices do we bring to the New Testament study? Food for thought!
See you Sunday, God willing,
Frank
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