This past Sunday Renovate began a teaching series on the book of Philemon. While this letter only takes up 3/4 a page in the Bible, there are some significant issues and themes that rise to the surface.
Written by Paul around 61 AD this letter regards the return of a run-away slave (Onesimus) to his slave owner (Philemon). In this letter Paul advocates for Onesimus' safe return and reception into Philemon's household.
At first glance this letter seems to affirm the unjust system of human slavery (Paul's words in other portions of the Scriptures also seem to advocate slaves submitting to their masters - 1 Tim. 6:1). In fact, over the course of America's history, some preachers in the south used the book of Philemon (and other portions of Scripture) to affirm the practice of slavery. Those preachers claimed that they're "just doing what the Bible says" and what Paul preached.
It is easy to see today that the practice of slavery is of the worst kind of evil and hated by God, yet this letter brings up an important question: "How do we read and interpret the Bible?" (listen to this past week's Renovate podcast). Is living out the commands of Scripture as simple as: "God said it, I believe it, that settles it?"
Many would claim to live a life "according to what the Bible says", so then why do we choose to follow some things (not murdering is a good idea) but not others (anyone else with tattoos?).
How should one read, interpret, and follow the Bible? What is the harm if we misunderstand the words and the intent written?
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