I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST New-Testament Slavery: Fact vs. Fiction with Dr. Paul Copan
Aug 26, 2025
Dr. Paul Copan, a philosopher and theologian from Palm Beach Atlantic University, dives into the complexities of New Testament teachings on slavery. He tackles misconceptions about biblical passages, stressing that they recognize human dignity. Topics include the rights of servants, the gradual moral evolution inspired by Christian principles, and why most abolitionists were Christians. Copan also contrasts ancient practices with modern understanding, revealing how biblical ethics paved the way for the eventual abolition of slavery.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Biblical Servants Had Legal Protections
- Old Testament servitude included legal protections like release for permanent injury and penalties for killing a servant.
- Paul Copan argues these laws granted dignity absent in many ancient Near Eastern cultures.
Case Law Versus Moral Ideal
- Mosaic law often uses case law (if-then scenarios) rather than presenting an ethical ceiling for all time.
- Copan says these laws set a moral floor reflecting Israel's context, not the final ideal.
Sports Contract Analogy For Transactional Language
- Copan compares transactional language about servants to modern sports contracts to illustrate non-dehumanizing ownership language.
- He uses the example of a team owner trading a player to explain biblical transactional phrases.
