INTRODUCTION


It seems that countless volumes have been written on Slavery, Americas peculiar
institution. "No other problem so troubled, confused, and damaged the United States in
the nineteenth century as slavery."1 Still today we are greatly affected by what occurred
yesteryear, for as the prophet Hosea (8:7) said: "They sow the wind, and reap the
whirlwind." But now why another book on Black Slavery in the United States?


As Myrdal wrote over fifty years ago: "There attaches to the Negro an historical
memory of slavery and inferiority."2 It is still true that, "Publicly, white America seems
to be in a state of denial that racial problems exist."3 That the deep-rooted nature of our
affliction is glossed over is evidenced by the words of a White Mississippian who said:
"I, Louis Aldridge, did not cause slavery"I wasnt alive in the 1800s. Im alive in the
1900s."4

Obviously, there is a misunderstanding of the ramifications of racism. Aldridge
and others who think like him should realize that although they did not live in the 1800s,
they presently enjoy some of the "fruit" produced by the slavery system. How well off
would Aldridge be if he had to compete with contemporary Blacks who never suffered
the inferiorating practices of Mississippi injustice--segregation, disfranchisement,
exploitation, and woefully inadequate educational facilities?

Blacks are often accused of blaming slavery for many present day problems.
Certainly there is danger in "passing the buck," and not attempting to shoulder respon-
sibility and attempt to improve ones lot. But slavery has had a deleterious effect upon
every phase of American life.


Slavery had a devastating impact on the American culture, leaving lasting scars
on an entire race of people. It would have


been bad enough if the slavery experience had ended without any lasting
repercussions. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The African-American culture
is still reeling from the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual fallout of slavery.
The road back is difficult.5


Mercer further points out problems still faced today by Black Americans that are
traceable to slavery. He includes such matters as shattered self images, unem-ployment,
housing restrictions, racist religious institutions (boards, schools, churches, seminaries,
conventions, etc.), unequal educational facilities and job opportunities. Blacks are still
faced with poor health care services, welfare mentality, economic poverty, a criminal
justice system that is not color blind, prejudiced media, political chicanery, and legal
maneuvering calculated to maintain an undemocratic and evil status quo.

Is it possible that White racist attitudes rooted in a basic belief in Black inferiority
are exacerbated to some degree by the progress made by Black Americans-a progress
heightened by the low starting point? In many fields stereotypes are slain (however
slowly!). Since no one likes to be proven wrong in his or her estimate of one considered
inferior, could it be that Black achievement serves to traumatize the psyche of some
White Americans, and this in turn further embitters them?


It is the purpose of this book to show how deeply the Bible was involved in the
matter of slavery in America. All racism is heinous, an insult to God our Creator, but
religion gives slavery a demonic flavor. Where the Bible is used to support racist
attitudes we have a deep-rooted problem, one that is pervasive and morally destructive
beyond measure. Research suggests the slaveholders depended more upon the biblical
argument than upon any other argument to support their pro-slavery theories. Even the
politicians of the day used the Scriptures while constantly seeking to justify legally the
bondage of Blacks.


Another purpose of this book is to teach students of the Word, that is, all
Christians, some of the basic principles of interpretation. The weakness of the argument
from silence, the danger of ignoring context, the necessity of accepting verbal inspiration,
and believing that the Bible is indeed the Word of God-these are some of the principles
this work reinforces. When it is realized that some men used the Bible to support slavery,
and other men used the same Bible to argue against the system, the importance of proper
Bible interpretation is obvious.


Another basic thrust of this work is to show the impropriety of equating slavery in
ancient Israel with the slavery practiced in the United States. The Bible is under
increasing attack by Blacks who, influenced by Islam and by the hypocrisy of certain
White Bible conservatives, claim the Bible is the White Mans book, and that Christianity
is the White Mans religion. Such claims need to be contradicted. Believers, who
constantly and properly appraise the conflict between culture and the Word of God,
demonstrate by their just dealing with people of other races, that in Jesus Christ no flesh
shall glory.


There are those who believe race relations will be improved only if we
discontinue to bring up past mistakes. To write about slavery, they say, is to pull the scab
off of the wound, and thereby slow up the process of reconciliation. Admittedly, this
study has produced tears. It is not easy to look at the drawings of ships crammed with
their human cargo, plying their trade through the waters of the Middle Passage, headed
for the Americas. Think of the fears, the heartbreak, cruelty, destruction of family ties,
dissolution of friendships, the exploitation, rape and murder experienced by those
brought over to America by men motivated by the love of money, and imbued with
contempt for Blacks. Compound this with the reading of the arguments put forth by the
pro-slavers!


Yet bitterness does not become the saint of color. Instead, there is a certain sorrow
for those Whites who depend upon their skin color and culture to bolster their egos and
make them feel superior to other human beings. Even more pity is felt for those who
misuse the Bible in their attempts to support their belief that Blacks are inferior, and are
cursed by God.


There are Black Americans who are well aware that had it not been for some
Whites-whether Christians, abolitionists, humanitarians, or some combination of these
or other titles for those who despised slavery-life for Blacks would have been much
worse. However, there are indeed several things we could wish for: