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Slavery & Christianity: Paul's Letter to Philemon
Slavery. Racism. Rebellion. Civil disobedience. The problems are as pressing today as they were 1900 years ago when the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a slave-owner, Philemon, about his runaway slave -- and the runaway slave carried Paul's letter back to his legal owner.
What did the letter say? Did Paul -- does Christianity -- approve of slavery? Does Christianity condone slavery? Or does the Gospel abolish slavery and establish freedom wherever it is believed? Jesus said, "If you abide in my Word, you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Paul's letter to Philemon is a masterpiece of divinely inspired political philosophy. It provides the basis for the non-violent abolition of slavery wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and believed.
Dr. John W. Robbins holds the Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from The Johns Hopkins University. His most recent book is Freedom and Capitalism: Essays on Christian Politics and Economics.
What did the letter say? Did Paul -- does Christianity -- approve of slavery? Does Christianity condone slavery? Or does the Gospel abolish slavery and establish freedom wherever it is believed? Jesus said, "If you abide in my Word, you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Paul's letter to Philemon is a masterpiece of divinely inspired political philosophy. It provides the basis for the non-violent abolition of slavery wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and believed.
Dr. John W. Robbins holds the Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from The Johns Hopkins University. His most recent book is Freedom and Capitalism: Essays on Christian Politics and Economics.
58 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2007
About the author
John W. Robbins
19 books8 followersDr. Robbins was a resident of Unicoi County, Tennessee. Born and reared in Pennsylvania, he received his A. B. from Grove City College (Pennsylvania) in 1969, cum laude, with Highest Honors in Political Science. He pursued graduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University (Maryland), earning his Masters in Political Theory (1970) at age 21, and his Doctorate in Philosophy and Political Theory (1973) at age 24.
In 1973 Dr. Robbins became Legislative Assistant to a Member of Congress from Indiana, Earl Landgrebe, and subsequently worked, over the next 20 years, in several capacities for several public policy institutions: The Heritage Foundation (Economic Analyst), The Templeton Foundation (Consultant), Western Islands (Editor), Tax Reform Immediately (National Director), The Foundation for Economic Education (Editor of The Freeman), and The Institute for Policy Innovation (President). He served as Legislative Assistant (1976, 1979-1981) and Chief of Staff (1981-1985) to a Member of Congress from Texas, Dr. Ron Paul.
In 1977 Dr. Robbins founded a Christian think tank, The Trinity Foundation, and under his direction The Foundation has published 75 books, 180 lectures, and 275 essays; hosted conferences and seminars in several states; and published a monthly newsletter for over 30 years.
Dr. Robbins wrote several books, hundreds of essays, and lectured or taught at several institutions of higher education, including Harvard University, the University of Colorado, the University of Texas, Biola University, College of the Southwest, Western Reformed Seminary, and Chesapeake Seminary. He was a member of two academic societies, the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.
Dr. Robbins was elected and ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America, and licensed to preach by Westminster Presbytery, but he left that denomination because of its failure to discipline teachers who were teaching a different gospel. He was an elder in a Reformed congregation called Reformation Church.
In 1973 Dr. Robbins became Legislative Assistant to a Member of Congress from Indiana, Earl Landgrebe, and subsequently worked, over the next 20 years, in several capacities for several public policy institutions: The Heritage Foundation (Economic Analyst), The Templeton Foundation (Consultant), Western Islands (Editor), Tax Reform Immediately (National Director), The Foundation for Economic Education (Editor of The Freeman), and The Institute for Policy Innovation (President). He served as Legislative Assistant (1976, 1979-1981) and Chief of Staff (1981-1985) to a Member of Congress from Texas, Dr. Ron Paul.
In 1977 Dr. Robbins founded a Christian think tank, The Trinity Foundation, and under his direction The Foundation has published 75 books, 180 lectures, and 275 essays; hosted conferences and seminars in several states; and published a monthly newsletter for over 30 years.
Dr. Robbins wrote several books, hundreds of essays, and lectured or taught at several institutions of higher education, including Harvard University, the University of Colorado, the University of Texas, Biola University, College of the Southwest, Western Reformed Seminary, and Chesapeake Seminary. He was a member of two academic societies, the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.
Dr. Robbins was elected and ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America, and licensed to preach by Westminster Presbytery, but he left that denomination because of its failure to discipline teachers who were teaching a different gospel. He was an elder in a Reformed congregation called Reformation Church.
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July 23, 2011In the history of the United States, there is no war that is bloodier for America, than the American Civil War from 1861-1865. One of many issues and controversy surrounding this conflict was the issue of Slavery. Today, the issue of Christianity and slavery is still bought up, and usually done in light of slavery that existed in the South. From both sides, arguments were given that attempted to justify their position by appealing to the Bible. For anyone interested in the subject, host of books can be recommended. Indispensable to this, is John Robbin’s latest work, “Slavery and Christianity”.
“Slavery and Christianity” is actually a commentary on the Book of Philemon, in the New Testament. One of Paul’s shortest epistles, this book in the Bible has always been referenced as having a dramatic impact for the abolition movement. John Robbins pointed out early in his commentary of how people often misjudge something that is short as being insignificant. Interestingly enough, “Slavery and Christianity” is also short, coming in at 49 pages, yet it is powerful. Having read several commentaries on Philemon, in my estimation “Slavery and Christianity” was the best one among them. Many people are cautious with the works of John Robbins in controversy today, but the quality of “Slavery and Christianity” is what you would expect from a Reformed and Presuppositional teacher of the Word of God: logically sharp, fascinating insight from the Biblical text, lay-man friendly and more importantly, spiritually edifying.
“Slavery and Christianity” commentary on Philemon draws out the social and political ramification of God’s Word, specifically as it touches on the institution on slavery. There is no doubt, that this new book would cause a stir among some pro-Southern Slavery theologians existing even today. For those who have always heard that Philemon advances the abolition’s cause but would like to see exactly how the argument from Biblical references goes, “Slavery and Christianity” is highly recommended.
“Slavery and Christianity” is actually a commentary on the Book of Philemon, in the New Testament. One of Paul’s shortest epistles, this book in the Bible has always been referenced as having a dramatic impact for the abolition movement. John Robbins pointed out early in his commentary of how people often misjudge something that is short as being insignificant. Interestingly enough, “Slavery and Christianity” is also short, coming in at 49 pages, yet it is powerful. Having read several commentaries on Philemon, in my estimation “Slavery and Christianity” was the best one among them. Many people are cautious with the works of John Robbins in controversy today, but the quality of “Slavery and Christianity” is what you would expect from a Reformed and Presuppositional teacher of the Word of God: logically sharp, fascinating insight from the Biblical text, lay-man friendly and more importantly, spiritually edifying.
“Slavery and Christianity” commentary on Philemon draws out the social and political ramification of God’s Word, specifically as it touches on the institution on slavery. There is no doubt, that this new book would cause a stir among some pro-Southern Slavery theologians existing even today. For those who have always heard that Philemon advances the abolition’s cause but would like to see exactly how the argument from Biblical references goes, “Slavery and Christianity” is highly recommended.
October 14, 2014
While I greatly respect John W. Robbins and hold in high regard many of his works, this one seemed very "just OK." It's basically a commentary on the book of Philemon with political overtones concerning the evils of racism and slavery.
I can see it being helpful in certain areas, and I'm sure I'll reference it occasionally. However, when an author continually throughout the work decries almost every other work on the same subject (in this case, every other commentary written on Philemon) as having missed these obvious and great theological and practical truths, I advise the reader to be on guard and to be discerning. That kind of rhetoric usually means there's an ax to grind at the outset of the research.
I can see it being helpful in certain areas, and I'm sure I'll reference it occasionally. However, when an author continually throughout the work decries almost every other work on the same subject (in this case, every other commentary written on Philemon) as having missed these obvious and great theological and practical truths, I advise the reader to be on guard and to be discerning. That kind of rhetoric usually means there's an ax to grind at the outset of the research.
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