A Response to: 6 Reasons Young Black People Are Leaving The Church (Part 2)

Please see Part 1 to read my introduction and my responses to the first three reasons that were listed in the Atlanta Black Star article. Let's look at the last three reasons . . .

Reason #4: Disagreement With Passages In The Bible On Slavery And Genocide

Slavery is one of the biggest atrocities in human history. Yet slavery is rampant throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible clearly speaks of slavery in many passages, and it goes so far as to tell how to obtain slaves, how hard you can beat them, and when you can have sex with the female slaves.

Young people are now waking up to the fact that Christianity and the Bible was used as a tool to control their ancestors, and that’s not a narrative they want to be a part of.

Some time ago I saw a Facebook post that stated (and I am paraphrasing): “Watch 12 Years A Slave and you will see where you get those Bible verses from.” The movie 12 Years a Slave is an adaptation of the 1853 slave narrative memoir by Solomon Northup who was a free American-American man, but was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. The depictions of the hardships, torture, and oppression that he and other slaves were subjected to in that movie were very difficult to watch, though very reflective of reality of that time in history. Admittedly, I had to fight back tears a couple times.

Slavery is obviously a highly sensitive and emotive topic, especially for those in the African American community whose ancestors were subjected to this horrific system. Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and families to come across the seas in atrocious, deathly conditions, where many died on the voyage. They were shackled together, and had to endure tight spaces where body fluids would be undesirably spread, sickness was everywhere, and disease was commonplace. Once off the boat, if a family was lucky enough to be together during that part, they would be torn apart and sold to slave masters as property. At the hands of the slave masters, slaves were viciously whipped and beaten, malnourished, killed, raped, etc. I haven’t even touched on some of the more despicable parts of the history of slavery . . .

That was American slavery. But is it the slavery that is described in the Bible?[1]

At the end of this extended response I will address the Facebook comment I initially cited along with how it was used as a tool of control. But first, I will give a brief overview of what was slavery in the context of the Hebrew Old Testament, then touch on the New Testament. Slavery during Old Testament time's was much more akin to indentured servitude, where a person voluntarily entered into servanthood (i.e. “sell himself,” Lev. 25:47) to pay off debt. Servanthood was primarily a product of poverty.

When we 21st century folk think of slavery, our minds immediately go to what I previously described (i.e. southern antebellum slavery), but we must remember that the Old Testament was written thousands of years ago and examine it within that historic context. Generally, slaves were more like live-in employees who had an agreed upon contract to fulfill.

Slavery was not forced by an outsider and they could be “hired from year to year” and weren’t to be “rule[d] over ruthlessly” (Lev. 25:53-54). Lifelong servitude was prohibited unless the person wanted to stay (Ex 21:5). Servants were released every seven years debt free (Lev. 29:35-43). (I won’t go into the Hebraic language, but suffice it to say that the word that is translated frequently as "slave" is more appropriately termed as an “employee.” The same goes for the Hebraic word for “master,” which is better translated as “boss” or “employee.”)

The Old Testament laws were actually the first in Ancient Near Eastern law codes that required servants (“slaves”) to be treated as persons and not property. Here are three legislations that were different than other law codes of that time (and a stark difference from the slavery of recent history): 1. Anti-Harm Laws, which held “masters” responsible for the treatment of their servant (Ex. 21:26-27, Ex. 21:20); 2. Anti-Kidnapping Laws, which prohibited kidnapping a person to sell as a slave (Ex. 21:16); 3. Anti-Return Laws, which sought to protect foreign runaway “slaves” (Deut. 23:15-16).

Now I will very briefly turn to the New Testament where the charge is often laid that Jesus did not speak against slavery. “Nothing meaningful can be concluded from Jesus’ reticence or silence on any issue. Because it’s a mistake to assume that Christ must favor what He doesn’t explicitly condemn.”[2] The truth is Jesus did not explicitly speak out against a lot of things, but He spoke out against the implicit, or rather, underlying symptoms of certain systems such as slavery. For example, antebellum slavery was highly oppressive. Jesus was against any kind of oppression (Luke 4:18). He expressed virtues such as love, justice, and He taught that all human beings were equally made in the image of God.

Moreover, Paul expressed “justice and fairness” for slaves (Col. 4:1); that they were morally responsible people (Col. 3: 22-25); that they and the masters are “brothers,” part of Christ’s body (1 Tim. 6:2); and that both servant and master belong to Christ (Gal. 3:28, Col. 3:11).

There could be much more said about this topic (and I invite you to read “Is God a Moral Monster” by Paul Copan) but even through this cursory look I think I have sufficiently shown that the slavery of the Bible is nothing like what we generally think of. Were “slaves” mistreated in the Old Testament at times, of course! But there are always outliers. Mistreatment was not the norm nor was it the intention and there were laws against such behavior. Slavery was a voluntary method to help people pay off debt; a far cry from the forced, antebellum slavery of the South.[3]

Lastly, to the Facebook comment and the contention in the article that the misuse of the Bible during slavery times is a narrative that young black people don’t want to be part of. I understand the hesitation and initial uncertainty but just because some people have misused and abused the Bible, does not impact the validity of the actual Bible. Instead, it shows the ignorance of the person exclaiming the untruths. Furthermore, young black Christians can be reassured that the God of the Holy Bible is all loving and all good. He loves us all and “sees” no racial distinction in us; we are all one in Him (Gal. 3:28).

Reason #5: Sex

The church is perceived as simplistic and judgmental. For a fifth or more, a “just say no” philosophy is insufficient in a fast-paced world. According to researchers at Yale and Columbia University, young Christian singles are as sexually active as their non-churched friends, and many say they feel judged.

Young people want to be challenged to live lives of holiness, not only when it comes to sex, but also when it comes to living simply, caring for the poor and oppressed, pursuing reconciliation, engaging in creation care and becoming peacemakers.

Once again, context is an issue with this article. I’m not sure what “simplistic” means, but I understand the judgmental claim that is forwarded. I have not seen the research done by Yale and Columbia University but I have heard that non marriage sexual activity is prevalent throughout the church. This is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed more vigorously within the church, but I find it curious that the article says “they feel judged.” Is this because the Bible clearly prohibits such activity? Is it because the pastor preaches about it in his sermons? Is it due to the chastisement of fellow church members? Or is it because the perpetrators feel guilty?

If you’re a “young Christian single” the Bible is clear that one should abstain from any type of sexual activity (Acts 15:20;1 Corinthians 5:1;6:13,18;10:8;2 Corinthians 12:21;Galatians 5:19;Ephesians 5:3;Colossians 3:5;1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The reason people want to have sex is because of the pleasure involved in it, and God is acutely aware of this, that is why He gave it to us as a gift within the confines of marriage (also for procreation and searing a bond with whom you married). It is to be shared with the person who you have entered into a marriage commitment with and who you become “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24) with.

Furthermore, sexual purity is restricted outside of marriage because we have become “sanctified,” meaning God is making us holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 7). Living a purified, sanctified life involves us putting our faith (and obedience) in Christ who, in exchange of our sins, died on the cross and was resurrected. Through this process we are new creatures, no longer living the same carnal life but one in which our lives are characterized by the teachings of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. That is why in Gal. 2:20 Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Also, part of this new life is displaying an outworking of the gifts of the Spirit, which include self control (Gal. 5:22-23). Living an uncontrolled, unbridled, unchanging life of sexual impurity is not a display of the changing power of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life. The process of becoming holy (sanctification) does take time and is different for each person, but there should be evidence of restraint and a display of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

Considering these truths of the Bible which those who are truly followers of Christ believe in, why should feeling judged about doing something wrong cause someone to leave the church?! Who or what is it that is being given the higher authority in that person’s life . . . Christ, their Savior, or their own autonomy (in this case, the ability to have uncriticized premarital sex)?

The whole “judging” issue is something that has created a lot of confusion inside and outside the Christian community. The short of it is that the Bible teaches to not judge hypocritically, but to judge with careful discernment. When a Christian is lovingly (Eph.4:15) confronting another Christian about ongoing sin, it is not to merely chastise them, but to help bring them to repentance (James 5:20). If one understands this correctly, they would see that it is out of love that this takes place, not condemnation.

If young people truly want to be challenged to live lives of holiness, as the article points out, they cannot arbitrarily choose what aspects of life to be “holy” in and where not to be. If one professes to love and trust in Christ, it is the Holy Bible that is the standard for understanding holiness in the context of the Christian lifestyle.

(The Christian lifestyle is not easy to live. We all struggle with different things and fail at times. But the power of the Holy Spirit equips us to face challenges and overcome strongholds. If you struggle in this area, do not give up or do not give in. Continue to pray and seek Him. Also, seek help from various resources.  If we confess He will cleanse us from “all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Moreover, He will restore you, such as in the case of Joel 2:25. Finally, walk in confidence that this is a journey and we are being renewed day by day (Col. 3:10), but our sanctification will eventually end in glorification.)

Reason #6: They Are Tired of Pretending

Some segments of Christianity suggest that being a Christian removes all struggle from life. But that message rings hollow for many kids who try to serve God and continue to face difficult challenges … or who see their parents teach a similar message while succumbing to anger or depression themselves. Many youth feel Christianity leaves no room for authenticity.

It is true that some “Christians” teach that when you become a Christian you will no longer struggle. This is unbiblical and is a detriment for those who have a desire to serve God but still struggle in some areas.

Paul speaks to the struggle of sin in particular when he states: “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7:21-24) As we see, Paul recognizes the inward battle of his desire to do the will of God and the ongoing battle of his sinful nature.

We see biblical characters struggle with doubt, insecurity, lust, pride, and many other vices. As the late Pastor Adrian Rogers once said, “It’s not about your perfection; it’s about your direction.” What Rogers is saying is that you can’t expect to be perfect right now, but rest in the assurance that you (if in Christ) are being perfected. It’s a process, and often time’s processes have ups and downs.

Jesus said that “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) He is telling you there will be times of suffering, pain, heartache, sickness, doubt, etc., but in those times we are to trust in Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life;” in Him, young black Christians, and Christians of all shapes, ethnic backgrounds, and colors can be authentic, knowing that through their struggles, He is there, He cares and their obedience to Him is steadily conforming them to the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

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[1] The information in this section was primarily derived from Paul Copan’s article, Does the Old Testament Endorse Slavery?, in Come Let Us Reason: New Essays in Christian Apologetics. For more information check out his book, Is God a Moral Monster?

[2] Greg Koukl, June 2014 Mentoring Letter podcast.

[3] I can’t go verse by verse of all the slavery texts but I tried to give an overview, putting slavery in its proper historical context. Many times improper exegesis and reading texts out of its contexts leads to misinterpretations.