Slavery and early Christianity – a reflection from a human rights perspective

P.G Kirchschlaeger

doi:10.4314/actat.v23i1s.4

Abstract

Addressing the topic “slavery and Early Christianity” is a difficult task for various reasons. First, it is complex to reach an understanding of slavery of that time. Secondly, there is the hermeneutic challenge of approaching the issue with a current mind-set that includes the notion of the abolition of slavery. Furthermore, from a contemporary perspective, a critical account of slavery and Early Christianity is possible, with the temporal distance protecting one from the consequences linked to a judgement about slavery. Finally, there is the hermeneutic challenge of engaging with texts from Early Christianity from an ethical perspective in order to reach present-day normative propositions, while respecting the original intention of the texts. In light of these challenges, this article will offer a brief overview of opinions on slavery in Hellenistic philosophy and in the Jewish tradition, and then discuss slavery and Early Christianity, followed by a reflection on slavery and Early Christianity from a human rights perspective.

Highlights

It is a difficult task to address the topic of “slavery and Early Christianity” for various reasons
There is the hermeneutic challenge of engaging with texts from Early Christianity from an ethical perspective in order to reach present-day normative propositions, while respecting the original intention of the texts
In light of these challenges, this article will offer a brief overview of opinions on slavery in Hellenistic philosophy and in the Jewish tradition, and discuss slavery and Early Christianity, followed by a reflection on slavery and Early Christianity from a human rights perspective

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Bei dem Aktualitätsbezug der Thematik liegt die Gefahr zu dem methodischen Fehler nahe, die antike Sklaverei und entsprechende Äusserungen des Neuen Testaments von vornherein mit den Mass stäben modernen Menschenrechtsverständnisses zu messen. One should not forget: Die Slaverei der Antike endet nicht am Übergang zum Früh mittelalter und wird erst am Beginn der frühen Neuzeit mit der Entdeckung Amerikas “wiederbelebt”, sondern Sklaverei existiert, in vielfältigen Varianten, von der Antike bis in die Gegenwart (Grieser 2012:3). Kirchschlaeger 2016), while respecting the texts’ original intention (Kirch schlaeger 2014:127-133) In light of these challenges, this article first offers a brief overview of the notions of slavery in Hellenistic philosophy and the Jewish tradition, and discusses slavery and Early Christianity, followed by a reflection on slavery and Early Christianity from a human rights perspective

NOTIONS OF SLAVERY IN HELLENISTIC PHILOSOPHY AND THE JEWISH TRADITION

SLAVERY AND EARLY CHRISTIANITY

Herodotus also came close to such thoughts

Present-day slavery

Slavery and Early Christianity from a human rights perspective