Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – that slave thing again

Sean McDowell, the son of fellow fraud Josh McDowell, and Carmen Imes (a professor at Biola) try to whitewash the bible in a video. I just want to keep my response here in case I need it again. The video will be live tomorrow June 28, at 3PM EDT, but this isn’t the first time these frauds try this argument. (memes at the end since there is little new here)

As usual, the christians try to whitewash their bible. It says that it is okay to beat a slave and as long as they don’t die *that* day, it’s okay if they die after.

“20 When a slave-owner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. 21 But if the slave survives for a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner’s property.”

Unsurspingly, the slave owner won’t be killed like is required for most other deaths, they will only be ‘punished’ because the slave is property.

Christians also love to cite this verse from Exodus 21 too:

“16 Whoever kidnaps a person, whether that person has been sold or is still held in possession, shall be put to death.” this seems to be nothing more than a property law, since the person is being sold and held.

The term translated as person actually means only this:

“Pronounce: eesh Strong: H376 Orig: contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation):–also, another, any (man), a certain, + champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people, person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802. H582 H802 Use: TWOT-83a Noun Masculine Grk Strong: G80 G435 G444 G480 G730 G1092 G1093 G1415 G1538 G2087 G2233 G2425 G2469 G2749 G3816 G3979 G4246 G4908 G5207 G5590 1) man1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)1b) husband1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)1d) servant1e) mankind1f) champion1g) great man2) whosoever3) each (adjective)”

so it seems to mean that a man who steals a slave will be killed because of being a thief, not because of kidnapping, since the word translated as ‘kidnapping” here doesn’t mean kidnapping, it only means steal:

“pronounce: gaw-nab’Strong: H1589Orig: a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive:–carry away, X indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth.Use: TWOT-364 Verb Grk Strong: G2809 G2813 G2829 1) to steal, steal away, carry away1a) (Qal) to steal1b) (Niphal) to be stolen1c) (Piel) to steal away1d)(Pual) to be stolen away, be brought by stealth 1e) (Hithpael) to go by stealth, steal away”

Leviticus also shows how slavery is just fine to this god, since this god says that: “39 If any who are dependent on you become so impoverished that they sell themselves to you, you shall not make them serve as slaves. 40 They shall remain with you as hired or bound labourers. They shall serve with you until the year of the jubilee. 41 Then they and their children with them shall be free from your authority; they shall go back to their own family and return to their ancestral property. 42 For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves are sold. 43 You shall not rule over them with harshness, but shall fear your God.

44 As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. 45 You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land; and they may be your property. 46 You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves, but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness.”

So, we have that only israelites can be what amount to be indentured servants, who have a chance of getting freedom. All other slaves are chattel slaves, and they are expected to be treated harshly since the book has that israelites *aren’t* to be harshly treated.

Rather than saying no slaves, this god is more concerned about fabric and food, than human beings. There is literally no context that makes this acceptable.

Imes tries to excuse this saying that the NT says that slavery is wrong. But it doesn’t. It tells slaves to never seek their freedom. Christian abolitionists had to ignore their bible to do what they did.

“18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. 19 For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2

Jesus never says slavery is wrong and cites the OT as laws that should be followed until the heavens and earth fade away. Paul never says slavery is wrong. Both Imes and Sean are desperate to cover up what their bible literally says.