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Truth Over Tribe: Christian Takes on Culture, News & Politics

The Evangelical Legacy of Slavery with Sean McGever

Mar 5, 2025
Sean McGever, historian and author of "Ownership: The Evangelical Legacy of Slavery," discusses the uncomfortable truths about evangelical founders like Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, and George Whitefield. He explores their blind spots regarding slavery, the justification of their actions in the context of the 18th century, and the evolving church perspectives on moral issues. McGever emphasizes the need for self-reflection on historical moral failures and encourages a nuanced understanding of church leaders, their legacies, and ongoing cultural blind spots.
49:42

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast discusses how prominent Christians in the 18th century, like John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards, had significant blind spots regarding slavery.
  • It emphasizes the crucial yet often overlooked role of enslaved individuals as the primary voices in the abolitionist movement, challenging moral justifications for slavery.

Deep dives

The Cultural Norm of Slavery in Historical Christianity

During the 1700s, slavery was widely accepted as a normative institution within both society and the church, particularly among those in power. Historians often highlight that church leaders and influential figures did not question the moral implications of slavery, viewing it primarily as a system that needed management rather than abolition. This period witnessed a troubling disconnect, where many Christians were deeply entrenched in the very institution they were supposedly called to challenge. The prevailing belief was that slavery could be regulated according to biblical texts, which were misinterpreted to support its continuation.

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