CHAPTER_NN1 7_CRD Hard_AJ0 Questions_NN2 on_PRP American_AJ0 History_NN1 and_CJC Other_AJ0 Hot_AJ0 Topics_NN2 
My_DPS pains_NN2 are_VBB great_AJ0 ;_PUN but_CJC ,_PUN blessed_VVN be_VBI God_NP0 ,_PUN they_PNP are_VBB not_XX0 eternal_AJ0 ._SENT 
—_PUN Lemuel_NP0 Haynes_NP0 
In_PRP this_DT0 final_AJ0 chapter_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP will_VM0 consider_VVI some_DT0 common_AJ0 questions_NN2 that_CJT come_VVB in_PRP response_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 material_NN1 presented_VVN in_PRP this_DT0 book_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP some_DT0 cases_NN2 ,_PUN we_PNP have_VHB touched_VVN on_PRP these_DT0 matters_NN2 in_PRP earlier_AJC chapters_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP raise_VVB them_PNP again_AV0 here_AV0 because_CJS it_PNP is_VBZ right_AJ0 and_CJC good_AJ0 to_TO0 ask_VVI questions_NN2 about_PRP difficult_AJ0 matters_NN2 ._SENT Our_DPS goal_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 discussion_NN1 over_PRP wokeness_NN1 ,_PUN after_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN is_VBZ never_AV0 to_TO0 shut_VVI conversation_NN1 down_AVP ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ always_AV0 to_TO0 stimulate_VVI pursuit_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 truth_NN1 ._SENT Toward_PRP that_DT0 end_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP turn_VVB now_AV0 to_PRP several_DT0 reasonable_AJ0 queries_NN2 and_CJC to_PRP my_DPS relatively_AV0 brief_AJ0 responses_NN2 to_PRP them_PNP ._SENT 
Does_VDZ the_AT0 Bible_NN1 Endorse_VVB American_AJ0 Race-Based_AJ0 Slavery_NN1 ?_SENT 
No_ITJ ,_PUN the_AT0 Bible_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX0 endorse_VVI American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Bible_NN1 prohibits_VVZ "_PUQ man-stealing_AJ0 "_PUQ in_PRP the_AT0 most_AV0 straightforward_AJ0 terms_NN2 (_PUL 1_CRD Timothy_NP0 1_CRD :_PUN 10_CRD )_PUR ,_PUN and_CJC American_AJ0 race-based_AJ0 chattel_NN1 slavery_NN1 was_VBD founded_VVN in_PRP and_CJC dependent_AJ0 on_PRP man-stealing_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP various_AJ0 African_AJ0 nations_NN2 ,_PUN slave_NN1 traders_NN2 stole_VVD families_NN2 ,_PUN brought_VVD them_PNP to_PRP market_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC sold_VVD them_PNP to_PRP merchants_NN2 trafficking_VVG in_PRP human_AJ0 beings_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 people_NN0 in_PRP bondage_NN1 were_VBD then_AV0 taken_VVN to_PRP America_NP0 ,_PUN where_AVQ they_PNP were_VBD bought_VVN in_PRP public_AJ0 auctions_NN2 and_CJC sold_VVN as_PRP human_AJ0 goods_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 Bible_NN1 gives_VVZ no_AT0 encouragement_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 iniquitous_AJ0 agents_NN2 ,_PUN buyers_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC sellers_NN2 of_PRF this_DT0 evil_AJ0 institution_NN1 ._SENT No_AT0 slaveowner_NN1 working_VVG in_PRP this_DT0 system_NN1 could_VM0 open_VVI his_DPS Bible_NN1 ,_PUN read_VVB passages_NN2 on_PRP slavery_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC think_VVB that_CJT he_PNP had_VHD gotten_VVN his_DPS slaves_NN2 in_PRP a_AT0 righteous_AJ0 and_CJC fair_AJ0 way_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP had_VHD not_XX0 ._SENT 
To_TO0 understand_VVI in_PRP greater_AJC depth_NN1 why_AVQ we_PNP must_VM0 handle_VVI Scripture_NN1 thoughtfully_AV0 on_PRP slavery_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP must_VM0 make_VVI clear_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 Bible_NN1 —_PUN including_PRP the_AT0 New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 —_PUN does_VDZ not_XX0 prohibit_VVI it_PNP ._SENT We_PNP might_VM0 expect_VVI God_NP0 's_POS Word_NN1 to_TO0 condemn_VVI it_PNP without_PRP nuance_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP does_VDZ not_XX0 do_VDI so_AV0 ._SENT In_PRP both_DT0 the_AT0 Old_AJ0 and_CJC New_AJ0 Testaments_NN2 ,_PUN slavery_NN1 is_VBZ presented_VVN with_PRP depth_NN1 and_CJC subtlety_NN1 ._SENT 
Considering_PRP first_ORD the_AT0 Old_AJ0 Testament_NN1 ,_PUN slaves_NN2 were_VBD generally_AV0 household_NN1 laborers_NN2 ._SENT Though_CJS in_PRP a_AT0 state_NN1 of_PRF bondage_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD not_XX0 subhuman_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC were_VBD protected_VVN according_VVG to_PRP God_NP0 's_POS law_NN1 ,_PUN particularly_AV0 from_PRP life-threatening_AJ0 acts_NN2 (_PUL Exodus_NN1 21_CRD :_PUN 20_CRD )_PUR ._SENT From_PRP ancient_AJ0 times_NN2 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD wrong_AJ0 for_PRP God_NP0 's_POS people_NN0 to_TO0 steal_VVI fellow_AJ0 human_AJ0 beings_NN2 and_CJC enslave_VVB them_PNP (_PUL Exodus_NN1 21_CRD :_PUN 26_CRD )_PUR ._SENT There_EX0 were_VBD numerous_AJ0 opportunities_NN2 for_PRP slaves_NN2 to_TO0 find_VVI freedom_NN1 :_PUN purchase_NN1 ,_PUN sabbatical_NN1 year_NN1 law_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Year_NN1 of_PRF Jubilee_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC when_CJS their_DPS master_NN1 died_VVD ._SENT Though_CJS slaves_NN2 '_POS experiences_NN2 varied_VVD ,_PUN they_PNP "_PUQ were_VBD considered_VVN part_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 owner_NN1 's_POS family_NN1 "_PUQ and_CJC "_PUQ had_VHD the_AT0 right_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 sabbath_NN1 rest_NN1 and_CJC to_TO0 participate_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 religious_AJ0 feasts_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Though_CJS it_PNP is_VBZ a_AT0 strange_AJ0 judgment_NN1 in_PRP our_DPS time_NN1 ,_PUN wives_NN2 and_CJC slave-concubines_NN2 were_VBD in_PRP many_DT0 cases_NN2 indistinguishable_AJ0 ._SENT 
Israelite_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN relatively_AV0 ,_PUN a_AT0 notably_AV0 humane_AJ0 institution_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 went_VVD further_AV0 ,_PUN framing_VVG slave_NN1 and_CJC master_NN1 relationships_NN2 in_PRP a_AT0 Gospel_NN1 light_NN1 ._SENT Masters_NN2 and_CJC slaves_NN2 alike_AV0 had_VHD responsibilities_NN2 to_PRP one_CRD another_DT0 ._SENT Masters_NN2 had_VHD to_TO0 treat_VVI slaves_NN2 with_PRP full_AJ0 human_AJ0 dignity_NN1 and_CJC do_VDB good_AJ0 to_PRP them_PNP (_PUL Ephesians_NP0 6_CRD :_PUN 5_CRD –_PUN 9_CRD )_PUR ;_PUN they_PNP could_VM0 not_XX0 threaten_VVI their_DPS slaves_NN2 and_CJC were_VBD called_VVN by_PRP God_NP0 to_TO0 treat_VVI them_PNP "_PUQ justly_AV0 and_CJC fairly_AV0 "_PUQ (_PUL Colossians_NP0 4_CRD :_PUN 1_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Slaves_NN2 were_VBD to_TO0 obey_VVI their_DPS masters_NN2 ,_PUN working_VVG hard_AV0 for_PRP them_PNP ,_PUN honoring_VVG God_NP0 as_CJS they_PNP honored_VVD their_DPS masters_NN2 (_PUL Colossians_NN2 3_CRD :_PUN 22_CRD –_PUN 25_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Serving_VVG one_PNI 's_POS vocational_AJ0 authority_NN1 reflected_VVD the_AT0 way_NN1 the_AT0 believer_NN1 served_VVD one_PNI 's_POS metaphysical_AJ0 authority_NN1 (_PUL Ephesians_NP0 6_CRD :_PUN 9_CRD ;_PUN Colossians_NP0 3_CRD :_PUN 24_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
In_PRP these_DT0 texts_NN2 we_PNP see_VVB that_CJT the_AT0 day-to-day_AJ0 experience_NN1 of_PRF slavery_NN1 countenanced_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 was_VBD akin_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 duty_NN1 of_PRF Christian_AJ0 labor_NN1 more_AV0 broadly_AV0 ._SENT Slaves_NN2 were_VBD to_TO0 be_VBI treated_VVN much_AV0 like_PRP non-slave_AJ0 workers_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Greco-Roman_AJ0 world_NN1 ,_PUN few_DT0 of_PRF whom_PNQ knew_VVD a_AT0 fraction_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 "_PUQ rights_NN2 "_PUQ that_CJT workers_NN2 claim_VVB today_AV0 ._SENT Masters_NN2 could_VM0 not_XX0 treat_VVI their_DPS slaves_NN2 as_PRP human_AJ0 cattle_NN2 ;_PUN they_PNP could_VM0 not_XX0 do_VDI with_PRP their_DPS slaves_NN2 whatever_DTQ they_PNP wanted_VVD ._SENT Slaves_NN2 were_VBD not_XX0 subhuman_AJ0 or_CJC inferior_AJ0 to_PRP their_DPS masters_NN2 in_PRP any_DT0 fundamental_AJ0 way_NN1 ._SENT Instead_AV0 ,_PUN masters_NN2 were_VBD to_TO0 do_VDI good_AJ0 to_PRP those_DT0 who_PNQ labored_VVD under_PRP them_PNP and_CJC not_XX0 create_VVB a_AT0 climate_NN1 of_PRF fear_NN1 and_CJC easy_AJ0 retribution_NN1 for_PRP disappointed_AJ0 expectations_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 end_NN1 picture_NN1 of_PRF slavery_NN1 as_CJS shaped_VVN by_PRP apostolic_AJ0 decree_NN1 is_VBZ one_PNI remarkably_AV0 similar_AJ0 to_PRP broader_AJC biblical_AJ0 teaching_NN1 on_PRP vocation_NN1 ._SENT Those_DT0 in_PRP authority_NN1 should_VM0 be_VBI humane_AJ0 ,_PUN knowing_VVG they_PNP were_VBD subject_AJ0 to_PRP God_NP0 ;_PUN those_DT0 under_PRP authority_NN1 should_VM0 work_VVI hard_AV0 and_CJC well_AV0 ,_PUN knowing_VVG they_PNP ultimately_AV0 were_VBD serving_VVG not_XX0 man_NN1 but_CJC God_NP0 ._SENT 
All_DT0 this_DT0 is_VBZ quite_AV0 distinct_AJ0 from_PRP the_AT0 institution_NN1 of_PRF slavery_NN1 as_CJS commonly_AV0 practiced_VVN in_PRP America_NP0 ._SENT Not_XX0 all_DT0 American_AJ0 slaveowners_NN2 were_VBD the_AT0 same_DT0 ._SENT Some_DT0 treated_VVD their_DPS slaves_NN2 humanely_AV0 and_CJC even_AV0 sought_VVD to_TO0 win_VVI them_PNP to_PRP Christ_NP0 ._SENT But_CJC the_AT0 American_AJ0 slave_NN1 system_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 whole_NN1 differed_VVN in_PRP several_DT0 important_AJ0 ways_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 biblical_AJ0 portrait_NN1 sketched_VVD above_AV0 ._SENT First_ORD ,_PUN American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD based_VVN in_PRP man-stealing_NN1 ,_PUN showing_VVG its_DPS evil_AJ0 roots_NN2 ._SENT Second_ORD ,_PUN American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD race-based_AJ0 or_CJC race-driven_AJ0 ,_PUN grounded_VVN for_PRP many_DT0 in_PRP the_AT0 perceived_AJ0 inherent_AJ0 "_PUQ inferiority_NN1 "_PUQ of_PRF Africans_NN2 ._SENT Third_ORD ,_PUN American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD often_AV0 conducted_VVN outside_PRP the_AT0 bounds_NN2 of_PRF biblical_AJ0 morality_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS masters_NN2 treated_VVD their_DPS slaves_NN2 in_PRP subhuman_AJ0 ways_NN2 ._SENT Fourth_ORD ,_PUN slaves_NN2 in_PRP many_DT0 cases_NN2 could_VM0 not_XX0 buy_VVI or_CJC work_VVI their_DPS way_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF slavery_NN1 but_CJC were_VBD bound_VVN to_PRP their_DPS condition_NN1 indefinitely_AV0 (_PUL against_PRP the_AT0 Old_AJ0 Testament_NN1 code_NN1 ,_PUN even_AV0 )_PUR ._SENT 
Ancient_AJ0 slaves_NN2 generally_AV0 entered_VVD their_DPS state_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 result_NN1 of_PRF defeat_NN1 in_PRP war_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 slavery_NN1 discussed_VVN in_PRP both_DT0 the_AT0 Old_AJ0 and_CJC New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 proceeds_NN2 from_PRP this_DT0 reality_NN1 ._SENT Whole_AJ0 populations_NN2 entered_VVD slavery_NN1 not_XX0 because_CJS of_PRF perceived_AJ0 anthropological_AJ0 inferiority_NN1 (_PUL as_CJS the_AT0 cause_NN1 )_PUR ,_PUN but_CJC because_CJS of_PRF civilizational_AJ0 eclipse_NN1 ._SENT Nor_CJC were_VBD slaves_NN2 always_AV0 considered_VVN below_PRP the_AT0 line_NN1 of_PRF ordinary_AJ0 personhood_NN1 ._SENT Ancient_AJ0 slaves_NN2 could_VM0 rise_VVI to_PRP positions_NN2 of_PRF immense_AJ0 power_NN1 ,_PUN could_VM0 make_VVI serious_AJ0 money_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC in_PRP a_AT0 good_AJ0 number_NN1 of_PRF cases_NN2 found_VVD themselves_PNX better_AV0 off_AVP than_CJS freedmen_NN2 ._SENT None_PNI of_PRF this_DT0 means_VVZ that_CJT ancient_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 picnic_NN1 ,_PUN for_PRP it_PNP surely_AV0 was_VBD not_XX0 ._SENT But_CJC it_PNP does_VDZ color_VVB our_DPS understanding_NN1 of_PRF slavery_NN1 and_CJC show_VVB us_PNP the_AT0 uniquely_AV0 dark_AJ0 nature_NN1 of_PRF American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 as_CJS practiced_VVN by_PRP many_DT0 ._SENT 
For_PRP this_DT0 reason_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP conclude_VVB that_CJT American_AJ0 race-based_AJ0 chattel_NN1 slavery_NN1 differs_VVZ considerably_AV0 from_PRP the_AT0 institution_NN1 Scripture_NN1 engages_VVZ ._SENT Ancient_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD in_PRP several_DT0 ways_NN2 different_AJ0 from_PRP American_AJ0 race-based_AJ0 slavery_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC both_AV0 the_AT0 Old_AJ0 and_CJC New_AJ0 Testaments_NN2 humanized_VVD the_AT0 institution_NN1 in_PRP important_AJ0 ways_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 final_AJ0 analysis_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 in_PRP no_AT0 way_NN1 mandates_NN2 slavery_NN1 ,_PUN nor_CJC does_VDZ it_PNP prohibit_VVI it_PNP absolutely_AV0 ._SENT Instead_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ best_AJS to_TO0 think_VVI of_PRF the_AT0 New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 (_PUL building_VVG on_PRP the_AT0 Old_AJ0 )_PUR as_PRP reshaping_VVG slavery_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 distinctly_AV0 God-centered_AJ0 way_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Old_AJ0 Covenant_NN1 law_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 often_AV0 unfairly_AV0 maligned_VVN ,_PUN made_VVD considerable_AJ0 provision_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 release_NN1 and_CJC liberation_NN1 of_PRF slaves_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 theme_NN1 that_CJT recurs_VVZ throughout_PRP the_AT0 Old_AJ0 Testament_NN1 ,_PUN coming_VVG to_PRP a_AT0 crescendo_NN1 during_PRP the_AT0 exodus_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 New_AJ0 Covenant_NN1 law_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX0 outlaw_VVI slavery_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC in_PRP enhancing_VVG the_AT0 moral_AJ0 dimensions_NN2 of_PRF acceptable_AJ0 slave-owning_AJ0 brings_VVZ the_AT0 theme_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 salvific_AJ0 exodus_NN1 of_PRF God_NP0 's_POS people_NN0 to_PRP its_DPS peak_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP Christ_NP0 ,_PUN we_PNP are_VBB free_AJ0 ,_PUN gloriously_AV0 free_AJ0 ._SENT Yet_AV0 the_AT0 one_PNI freed_VVN from_PRP slavery_NN1 to_PRP sin_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT0 same_DT0 one_PNI who_PNQ becomes_VVZ a_AT0 doulos_NN2 Christou_NN1 —_PUN a_AT0 slave_NN1 of_PRF Christ_NP0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 ,_PUN then_AV0 ,_PUN gives_VVZ cold_AJ0 comfort_NN1 to_PRP defenders_NN2 of_PRF racist_AJ0 American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC it_PNP leaves_VVZ us_PNP in_PRP a_AT0 place_NN1 that_CJT perhaps_AV0 surprises_VVZ us_PNP regarding_PRP slavery_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 whole_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Scripture_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX0 end_VVI up_AVP condemning_VVG any_DT0 form_NN1 of_PRF slavery_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC firstly_AV0 reshapes_VVZ our_DPS conception_NN1 of_PRF slavery_NN1 along_PRP Christian_AJ0 lines_NN2 and_CJC secondly_AV0 teaches_VVZ every_AT0 believer_NN1 that_CJT our_DPS discipleship_NN1 to_PRP Christ_NP0 is_VBZ not_XX0 the_AT0 discipleship_NN1 of_PRF an_AT0 equal_NN1 to_PRP an_AT0 equal_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC that_DT0 of_PRF a_AT0 subject_NN1 under_PRP bondage_NN1 —_PUN the_AT0 glad_AJ0 bondage_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Church_NN1 to_PRP its_DPS gracious_AJ0 Lord_NN1 and_CJC Master_NN1 ._SENT Christ_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 true_AJ0 master_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ no_AT0 cruel_AJ0 and_CJC tyrannical_AJ0 overlord_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC is_VBZ the_AT0 King_NN1 who_PNQ rules_VVZ His_DPS subjects_NN2 with_PRP grace_NN1 and_CJC truth_NN1 ,_PUN never_AV0 failing_VVG to_TO0 minister_VVI tender_AJ0 mercy_NN1 to_PRP His_DPS blood-bought_AJ0 people_NN0 ._SENT 
Is_VBZ It_PNP True_AJ0 That_CJT Christian_AJ0 Churches_NN2 Were_VBD All_AV0 Pro-Slavery_AJ0 in_PRP Past_AJ0 Days_NN2 ?_SENT 
No_ITJ ,_PUN this_DT0 is_VBZ not_XX0 true_AJ0 ._SENT As_CJS is_VBZ often_AV0 the_AT0 case_NN1 ,_PUN there_EX0 is_VBZ more_AV0 to_PRP the_AT0 story_NN1 than_CJS an_AT0 easy_AJ0 one-sided_AJ0 narrative_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 are_VBB at_PRP least_AV0 two_CRD significant_AJ0 streams_NN2 within_PRP nineteenth-century_AJ0 American_AJ0 Christianity_NN1 :_PUN a_AT0 pro-slavery_AJ0 wing_NN1 and_CJC an_AT0 anti-slavery_AJ0 wing_NN1 ._SENT Some_DT0 accounts_NN2 tell_VVB the_AT0 story_NN1 of_PRF American_AJ0 church_NN1 history_NN1 as_AV0 if_CJS only_AV0 one_CRD side_NN1 existed_VVD ,_PUN but_CJC this_DT0 is_VBZ not_XX0 the_AT0 case_NN1 ._SENT Both_DT0 groups_NN2 vied_VVD for_PRP influence_NN1 and_CJC clashed_VVD repeatedly_AV0 and_CJC unpredictably_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 nineteenth_ORD century_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS the_AT0 evils_NN2 of_PRF slavery_NN1 came_VVD to_TO0 light_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 young_AJ0 nation_NN1 and_CJC across_PRP the_AT0 Atlantic_NP0 in_PRP England_NP0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 contingent_NN1 that_CJT we_PNP hear_VVB much_DT0 about_AVP today_AV0 from_PRP woke_VVD voices_NN2 is_VBZ the_AT0 pro-slavery_AJ0 faction_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP make_VVB no_AT0 effort_NN1 here_AV0 to_TO0 whitewash_VVI the_AT0 real_AJ0 failings_NN2 of_PRF pro-slavery_AJ0 evangelicals_NN2 in_PRP days_NN2 past_AJ0 ._SENT To_TO0 be_VBI sure_AJ0 ,_PUN some_DT0 believed_VVD earnestly_AV0 that_DT0 Scripture_NN1 supported_VVD their_DPS views_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC some_DT0 Christians_NN2 who_PNQ practiced_VVD race-based_AJ0 slavery_NN1 did_VDD so_AV0 believing_VVG that_CJT they_PNP should_VM0 treat_VVI their_DPS slaves_NN2 humanely_AV0 and_CJC even_AV0 evangelize_VVI them_PNP ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ necessary_AJ0 to_TO0 recognize_VVI that_CJT slaveholders_NN2 were_VBD not_XX0 monolithic_AJ0 in_PRP their_DPS practice_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC that_CJT there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 clear_AJ0 spectrum_NN1 of_PRF action_NN1 among_PRP professing_VVG evangelicals_NN2 that_CJT ranged_VVD from_PRP more_AV0 humane_AJ0 to_PRP decidedly_AV0 less_AV0 humane_AJ0 ._SENT On_PRP the_AT0 "_PUQ more_AV0 humane_AJ0 "_PUQ side_NN1 ,_PUN some_DT0 treated_VVD their_DPS slaves_NN2 in_PRP terms_NN2 consonant_AJ0 with_PRP the_AT0 description_NN1 of_PRF New_AJ0 Testament_NN1 slavery_NN1 given_VVN above_AV0 ._SENT 
But_CJC all_DT0 too_AV0 many_DT0 Christians_NN2 defended_VVD race-based_AJ0 slavery_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 racist_AJ0 views_NN2 it_PNP stood_VVD upon_PRP ._SENT They_PNP failed_VVD to_TO0 recognize_VVI that_CJT American_AJ0 race-based_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD distinct_AJ0 from_PRP the_AT0 institution_NN1 engaged_VVN and_CJC reshaped_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 Old_AJ0 and_CJC New_AJ0 Testaments_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC they_PNP enabled_VVD the_AT0 subhuman_AJ0 treatment_NN1 of_PRF slaves_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP failed_VVD to_TO0 condemn_VVI the_AT0 evil_AJ0 practice_NN1 American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD founded_VVN in_PRP (_PUL man-stealing_AJ0 )_PUR ,_PUN and_CJC they_PNP failed_VVD to_TO0 speak_VVI up_AVP for_PRP the_AT0 full_AJ0 personhood_NN1 and_CJC dignity_NN1 of_PRF slaves_NN2 once_CJS they_PNP came_VVD to_PRP America_NP0 ._SENT In_PRP this_DT0 way_NN1 we_PNP see_VVB that_CJT a_AT0 good_AJ0 number_NN1 of_PRF churches_NN2 and_CJC Christians_NN2 defended_VVD and_CJC promoted_VVD an_AT0 institution_NN1 that_CJT they_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI opposed_VVN and_CJC opposed_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 full_AJ0 ._SENT American_AJ0 slavery_NN1 did_VDD not_XX0 occur_VVI without_PRP the_AT0 support_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 solid_AJ0 portion_NN1 of_PRF American_AJ0 churches_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP this_DT0 we_PNP see_VVB that_CJT many_DT0 Christians_NN2 failed_VVD to_TO0 challenge_VVI a_AT0 wicked_AJ0 institution_NN1 based_VVN in_PRP unbiblical_AJ0 ideology_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Church_NN1 all_AV0 too_AV0 often_AV0 followed_VVN the_AT0 world_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC in_PRP doing_VDG so_AV0 exchanged_VVD an_AT0 enchanted_AJ0 vision_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 human_AJ0 person_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 God-made_AJ0 image-bearer_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 secular_AJ0 vision_NN1 that_CJT rendered_VVD slaves_NN2 subhuman_NN1 due_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 color_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS skin_NN1 ._SENT 
Praise_VVB God_NP0 ,_PUN this_DT0 is_VBZ not_XX0 the_AT0 full_AJ0 story_NN1 ,_PUN however_AV0 ._SENT In_PRP both_DT0 the_AT0 eighteenth_ORD and_CJC especially_AV0 the_AT0 nineteenth_ORD centuries_NN2 ,_PUN protest_NN1 arose_VVD against_PRP slavery_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 slave_NN1 trade_NN1 among_PRP a_AT0 wide_AJ0 range_NN1 of_PRF professing_VVG Christians_NN2 ._SENT Here_AV0 we_PNP see_VVB the_AT0 second_ORD major_AJ0 stream_NN1 of_PRF American_AJ0 Christian_AJ0 response_NN1 to_PRP this_DT0 evil_AJ0 institution_NN1 :_PUN the_AT0 anti-slavery_AJ0 wing_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP must_VM0 recall_VVI what_DTQ great_AJ0 odds_NN2 this_DT0 side_NN1 faced_VVN ._SENT A_AT0 sizeable_AJ0 but_CJC not_XX0 monolithic_AJ0 percentage_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 nation_NN1 was_VBD pro-slavery_AJ0 ._SENT Being_VBG pro-slavery_AJ0 meant_VVD following_VVG the_AT0 spirit_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 age_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD generally_AV0 assumed_VVN by_PRP many_DT0 that_DT0 slavery_NN1 was_VBD justified_VVN due_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 fundamental_AJ0 inequality_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 "_PUQ races_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ To_TO0 go_VVI against_PRP this_DT0 consensus_NN1 that_CJT reached_VVD across_PRP societal_AJ0 and_CJC cultural_AJ0 lines_NN2 was_VBD a_AT0 fearsome_AJ0 thing_NN1 indeed_AV0 ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ always_AV0 a_AT0 fearsome_AJ0 thing_NN1 to_TO0 stand_VVI against_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ,_PUN against_PRP the_AT0 devil_NN1 's_POS own_DT0 lies_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC against_PRP evil_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC this_DT0 is_VBZ what_DTQ a_AT0 good_AJ0 number_NN1 of_PRF Christians_NN2 did_VDD ,_PUN both_AV0 in_PRP America_NP0 and_CJC Great_NP0 Britain_NP0 ._SENT The_AT0 greatest_AJS of_PRF the_AT0 champions_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 West_NN1 was_VBD William_NP0 Wilberforce_NP0 ._SENT Wilberforce_NP0 represents_VVZ the_AT0 evangelical_AJ0 abolitionist_NN1 wing_NN1 at_PRP its_DPS peak_NN1 ._SENT Though_CJS the_AT0 fight_NN1 against_PRP slavery_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 slave_NN1 trade_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 losing_AJ0 issue_NN1 politically_AV0 in_PRP many_DT0 respects_NN2 ,_PUN Wilberforce_NP0 was_VBD driven_VVN by_PRP his_DPS biblical_AJ0 convictions_NN2 to_PRP campaign_NN1 for_PRP abolition_NN1 and_CJC cessation_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 dreadful_AJ0 institution_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 campaign_NN1 he_PNP fought_VVD for_PRP decades_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP America_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 loose_AJ0 coalition_NN1 of_PRF Christian_AJ0 groups_NN2 rallied_VVN against_PRP slavery_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 slave_NN1 trade_NN1 ._SENT All_DT0 the_AT0 way_NN1 back_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 early_AJ0 1700s_CRD ,_PUN Puritan_NN1 New_NP0 England_NP0 witnessed_VVD the_AT0 publication_NN1 of_PRF The_AT0 Selling_NN1 of_PRF Joseph_NP0 ,_PUN an_AT0 ardently_AV0 anti-slavery_AJ0 tract_NN1 by_PRP Samuel_NP0 Sewall_NP0 ._SENT Some_DT0 decades_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN Jonathan_NP0 Edwards_NP0 Jr._NP0 published_VVD abolitionist_NN1 material_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC numerous_AJ0 "_PUQ New_AJ0 Divinity_NN1 "_PUQ clergymen_NN2 agreed_VVD with_PRP his_DPS stance_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 nineteenth_ORD century_NN1 ,_PUN others_NN2 joined_VVD the_AT0 cause_NN1 :_PUN Quakers_NN2 ,_PUN Moravians_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC Pietists_NN2 all_DT0 spoke_VVD against_PRP slavery_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 slave_NN1 trade_NN1 ._SENT William_NP0 Lloyd_NP0 Garrison_NP0 caused_VVD a_AT0 stir_NN1 with_PRP his_DPS quest_NN1 for_PRP "_PUQ immediate_AJ0 abolition_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ with_PRP figures_NN2 like_PRP Lyman_NP0 Beecher_NP0 (_PUL an_AT0 evangelical_AJ0 leader_NN1 )_PUR supporting_VVG this_DT0 drive_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 story_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 two_CRD sides_NN2 in_PRP Christian_AJ0 circles_NN2 deserves_VVZ further_AJC telling_NN1 and_CJC exploration_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 book_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX0 a_AT0 history_NN1 of_PRF American_AJ0 Christianity_NN1 ,_PUN nor_CJC of_PRF the_AT0 complex_AJ0 dynamics_NN0 of_PRF racism_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 American_AJ0 past_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP these_DT0 brief_AJ0 comments_NN2 offered_VVN ,_PUN for_PRP our_DPS purposes_NN2 it_PNP must_VM0 suffice_VVI to_TO0 say_VVI that_CJT the_AT0 historic_AJ0 narrative_NN1 about_PRP Christians_NN2 and_CJC slavery_NN1 is_VBZ neither_AV0 triumphalist_AJ0 nor_CJC desolate_AJ0 ._SENT Too_AV0 many_DT0 otherwise_AV0 sound_AJ0 pastors_NN2 and_CJC theologians_NN2 stood_VVD for_PRP the_AT0 wrong_AJ0 side_NN1 of_PRF this_DT0 matter_NN1 ._SENT Others_NN2 fare_VVB better_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 counsel_NN1 of_PRF history_NN1 ._SENT 
