Exploring Slavery in Biblical Contexts

This chapter examines the complexities of slavery in the Greco-Roman world through the lens of Paul's letters to Philemon and the Colossians, contrasting it with North American slavery. It addresses themes of exploitation, particularly focusing on the treatment of female slaves, and highlights the ambiguous nature of Onesimus’s role as a slave seeking reconciliation. The discussion urges a careful interpretation of these letters to understand their implications for social equality and biblical scholarship.