Sample Lecture Outline and Student Reactions
RELI 10033-040: Understanding Religion: Texts and Ideas: The Bible
Session 40: Epistles and Critical Perspectives
November 28, 2007 – Katherine Low
Social Model in the New Testament Epistles
• Social hierarchy reflected in dress, home-life, and worship
Slaves: “Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all
honor” (1 Timothy 6:1)
Philemon—Paul writes to the owner of a slave
Women and children: “Let a woman learn in silence . . .” (1 Timothy 2:11-15); “Neither
was a man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man” (1 Corinthians
11:9)
Internal church order and family life reflects contemporary Greco-Roman society
•
Household codes—domestic ordering based on social and ethical norms
Student Reactions to Lecture
1. “The topic of whether or not slavery is morally correct is an issue that is pretty much
impossible to answer. We know for a fact that slavery is mentioned in the Bible and that it was
believed to be acceptable in most societies. However, society in modern times view slavery as
completely unacceptable because we believe that God created everyone as equals. Now, there are
many different theories floating around that present very logical arguments as to why the
opinions of these times are so different. One of these is that, in earlier times when God referred
to slaves, he was simply presenting the idea that humans should obey their superiors, a.k.a God
or Jesus Christ. It may not have been meant specifically human slaves to other human beings.
This may have been the cause of the difference in beliefs because scholars can interpret the Bible
more in depth now than they could at the time. On the other hand, biblical societies followed the
words and teachings of the prophets and spiritual leaders. There is also the issue of slave
treatment that had a standing effect on people’s views of the matter. We see one race being
pulled away from their homeland and forced into a labor intensive, brutal environment
completely against their will and our morals tell us right away that is wrong. The outstanding
fact of this issue is that no one can tell for sure if slavery is considered right with the Lord or if
modern beliefs led us in the right direction. Without any way to directly communicate with God,
we will never know for sure whether slavery is acceptable.” (First year pre-major student)
2. “Our class discussion of slavery at the time was very interesting to me. Many people said that
right and wrong is difficult to judge because of different cultures and circumstances. The
question, “Why did slavery end?” was brought up, and it is one that I would like to answer. In
Biblical times, slavery was common; it was a way of life. Harris (p. 475-476) discusses a
Christian congregation at Corinth that included slaves and slave-owners. He also mentions that
Paul advocates the belief that all people who believe in Christ are equal- “For through faith you
are all [children] of God in union with Christ Jesus… There is no such thing as Jew ad Greek,
slave and freeman, male and female; for you are all one person in Christ Jesus.” It was this
passage in Harris that led me to my conclusion about the decline of slavery. Surely there were
people other than Paul who were advocating the same message of equality, not with the idea of
freeing slaves necessarily, but more so to promote unity under God. As this message of unity was
spread, slaves and others began to realize that although they were “equal under God,” their
treatment was not equal to that of slave-owners. I believe it was this sort of thinking that led to
slaves running away, and others trying to bring equality to slaves as well. Perhaps it was a slow
process, from knowing that they weren’t getting proper treatment, to being angry about not
getting proper treatment, to actually acting out and trying to change the system. After many
years, this kind of behavior spread awareness, and eventually slavery was rightfully outlawed.”
(First year pre-major student)
3. “Why did Paul think that women did not have a role in the church? If he thought this, why
were women mentioned as authorities in the church? In earlier days, such as Paul’s, believers
met in private homes, which would have allowed women to practice more freely. Once separate
church buildings were established because of growing congregations, the dependence on women
as hostesses for the meetings dwindled, so in turn, “men dominated” (Harris).” (First year
Advertising/Public-Relations major student)