Can We Learn From Theologians Who Had Slaves?

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss how we can approach theologians who had slaves in a way that is helpful and honest.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Can we learn from theologians who had slaves?
• What's the why/who behind this question?
• How do we approach learning from theologians who had slaves?
• The Bible doesn’t condemn the institution of slavery - does it? 
• How do we make sense of passages like Ephesians 5 or the Letter to Philemon?
• Can we learn from theologians who endorsed slavery?
• What makes this conversation so difficult? Is part of it because we are in the Global West?
• How did slavery function in the Bible?
• What should we expect from our theological influences? How do we approach them in a way that is helpful and honest?
• How does Hebrews 11-12 reflect this?
• How does cancel culture interact with this?

Helpful Definitions:

• Ex opere operato: By the thing acted, operation happens. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Ephesians 5, Philemon, Hebrews 11-12
• Deep Discipleship Program
• “City of God” by Saint Augustine
• “Confessions” by Saint Augustine
• “Suma Theologica” by Thomas Aquinas
• “Religious Affections” by Jonathan Edwards
• “Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John Calvin
• “Augustine of Hippo: A Biography” by Peter Brown
• “Jonathan Edwards: A Life” by George M. Marsden

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