Philemon

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever-no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord                          Philemon 1:15-16

“Okay”, you’re saying, “what is up with a blog titled Philemon?” Good question! I was recently reading about the book of Philemon, and it struck me that people often read into the Bible what they want it to say.

If you are not familiar with this tiny book written by Paul, it concerns the runaway slave of Philemon named Onesimus. Onesimus came to Paul, perhaps knowing that Paul may intercede for him to Philemon in some way. Paul ends up writing to his friend Philmon on behalf of Onesimus, and instructs him that Onesimus, having become a follower of Jesus, was now a brother and not a slave. Paul argues that Philemon should accept Onesimus back into his home, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.

This got me thinking about how slave owners in the Deep South in early America had argued that slavery was not only accepted in the Bible, but that such power relationships were ordained by God. Had those slave owners followed Paul’s admonition to Onesimus, they would have seen that the slaves that they owned who were Christians, (and many were), should have been freed, since they were now bothers in Christ, not chattel slaves.

It goes without saying that all slaves should have been freed, but by the very argument that they were making- on Biblical stances about slavery- they should have at least freed their Christian slaves. However, we know how this works. People can, and do, read into the Bible what they want to get out of it. Many actions and beliefs are rationalized by a specific reading or interpretation of a passage of scripture.

Reading the Bible only for the words written in it, and without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, can be merely justification for positions that we want to hold. The Bible is a book of wisdom, but it is not a history book or a science book. Only if it is illuminated by the inspiration of the Spirit is it going to be the guide it is intended to be.

Prayer: Lord, help us to always seek the Spirit as we discern your word, Amen