Without Excuse: Apologetics Blog

Recently in an interview with Jim Wallis, Bill Maher on his show made the statement “Explain to me how a book that is written by God, who is perfect, there’s so much–it’s pro-slavery, pro-polygamy, it’s homophobic, God in the Old Testament is a psychotic mass murderer–I mean, there’s so many things in it.". The interview can be seen here . There is much more about the interview and Jim Wallis that could be said, bit I am to address that particular comment made by Mr. Maher here. Those accusations are often parroted by atheists against God and the bible. That fact that Bill Maher needs an explanation shows his lack of understanding on the matter. Jim Wallis was correct about one thing, slavery as practiced by the Hebrews was more like servitude. People often think of slavery today in terms of the African slave trade, however that sort of slavery was explicitly denounced: "You shall not steal. (Exd 20:15)"  "He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is f...

Slavery was a common practice in the ancient world and not the social issue that it is today. In dealing with the subject of slavery in the bible, first a distinction should be made between slavery and servitude. Slavery is the kidnapping and selling of men and women, such as with the African slave trade. That kind of slavery is explicitly condemned in the bible: You shall not steal. (Exd 20:15) He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death. (Exd 21:16) If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you. (Deu 24:7) There are many diverse reasons how and why people became slaves, and it wasn't always a cut and dried issue. In the Old Testament slaves were more akin to indentured servants. People would sometimes sell themselves as slaves if they were unable to provide for themselves or couldn...