A Slave Mentality (and Theology)
Last week I received the latest addition of Outreach Magazine. Attached, there was a notice that it was time for me to re-new my subscription in order to receive another full year of the magazine. A bonus gift comes if I take advantage of a special offer right now. This special gift is Dr. John MacArthur’s new book, “Slave.” The caption next to the book says, “Best-selling author and pastor Dr. John MacArthur reveals one crucial word that revolutionizes what it means to follow Jesus.” On the back of this advertisement it says, “What does it mean to be a Christian the way Jesus defined it? MacArthur says it all boils down to one word: Slave.”
Well, I respectfully have some issues with Dr. MacArthur. First of all the book is black, which I think is somewhat ironic. I realize this was probably more a publishing decision, not Dr. MacArthur’s. A black book with the word, “slave” on the cover written in white. I’m sure purely coincidental.
Second, and more important, is this question- Is slave the primary way Jesus defined the Christian life? What about this text-
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:12-15-NASB)
And what about this text-
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because he has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the Poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19-NASB)
Is the primary way Jesus defines the Christian life and His role in it deem us the slaves? Even if you believe this to be true, there is enough Scripture to provide other identifications for the Christian than just slave. What about the Christian as liberated, beloved, child, heir, and friend? Why does slave get to be in the driver’s seat of the car of Christian identification?
I have to say that I have not read this book yet, so I’m just commenting on the advertisement of the book. I realize what an influential theological figure Dr. MacArthur is, which is why I must challenge in love, the premise of the advertising of this book. Why is it hard for some European-American theologians to see the bible story as one of liberation, not enslavement?
In the Old Testament, we read of a God who releases a people out of slavery, makes a covenant with them, and calls them to bring justice to the poor, orphan, widow, and alien (immigrant). Humanity is enslaved to sin, so in the New Testament we read of a Savior who comes to set us free by bringing new life. Is the God story really about slavery or about liberation and empowerment? I guess to a degree it depends on the cultural slant from which it is read and interpreted. As one who can trace his heritage back to a slave girl on my mother’s side, I see the primary way Jesus defines the Christian life as a life of freedom, follower-ship, an friendship. But, is this just my heritage or is it a true interpretation of the meta-narrative of Scripture; love, new life, freedom, and a new Kingdom? This is not to take away from obedience, worship, and Lordship. Jesus didn’t come to put us on a plantation, but to fulfill a promise. Is the Christian as slave revolutionary? Release from slavery is a more true revolution.
I will renew my subscription to Outreach Magazine so that I can read this book and speak more specifically to the theology being presented.
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Hey, Efrem! I love reading your insights and blogs. I haven’t read this book either, but this makes me ask the question: Aren’t we “willing slaves?” Meaning, we are willing to put aside our own will, and do our Master’s will? This is only one description of a believer/follower of Jesus Christ, however.
I agree with your concern Efrem.
I am amazed at the lengths our theology will take us. For school, I was asked to write a paper on the theme of the gospel of Mark. Historically, Mark has been viewed as the book of the suffering servant-messiah. Yet, this theological theme goes too far. It neglects the revelatory mission of Christ as the Revealer of the Kingdom of God. Not only that but it has been used to incite historical exaltation of suffering over the freedom and liberation that Christ proclaimed. Growing up in the South, I would always hear the old-timers speak of suffering as if by suffering alone they would receive their crown. Yet much of their suffering was due to injustice and oppression. How does unjust suffering merit a crown? I say all of this to point to the implications of our theology, taken to far or better yet taken in partiality, we end up contending for the perpetuation of oppression and injustice.
Pastor Efrem,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. In reading your article I am reminded of how unaware, insensitive, and uneducated we can be of the framework or realities through which others see a situation.
With that said, my belief is that the core message of the gospel is redemption. Jesus on the cross crying to his daddy, “Not my will, but thine be done.” Luke 22:42. Giving us the example that we are called to a counter american culture where the greatest amoung us shall be a servant.
Efrem, Sometimes you hit the mark perfectly and other times I am concerned about your myopic vision. I’m amazed at your idea that because you are “African American” you automatically understand suffering and oppression more than others who are not. And, I am even more amazed that “non-African Americans” never challenge this arrogance, because they are afraid of being viewed as or called “racists” or “bigots”. Come on, are you really serious about taking offense, because the cover of this book is “black”? Do you REALLY believe that “African Americans” OWN the word “slave.” I have African blood running in my veins, I mention this because this seems to be soo important to you in whether or not I have a right to broach this subject, but I cannot express how much I disagree with you here and am offended by what I feel is a cheap shot at someone you obviously disagree with on theological issues. Clearly, everyone has heard the term “slave for Christ” and there is biblical support for this. I think you spend way too much time pointing out how different we are as opposed to our unity in Christ’s Body. I know it is your shtick, but you need to prayerfully meditate on some of the things you critically attack others for. I just wish a white person or as you call them “European American” had the courage to call you out on this.
Interesting take on the marketing tools used to promote this book. The color and writing did not come across to me as pointed to any particular “race”. For the record, I’m black, not African-American (smile). This book by MacArthur is beyond color, cuz I don’t believe that even shows up on his radar. I shouldn’t say that…I don’t know the man.
I will agree with you that boiling down our faith in Jesus to one word is difficult enough. And to choose a word that means bondage, restriction, freedomless, chained, secluded and so forth is way off. Yes, we’ve heard/read Paul give reference that he was a “slave for Christ” and how many times would you say he used that word? Use of the term slave seems to glorify it’s meaning. Slavery was heneous. Slavery was vile. There was nothing good about slavery.
But this slave talk fits right in line with the T4G language of the “soveriegnty of God”. It’s a further step of pushing their language or brand of Christianity down the throats of those wayward liberals. And it’s all Christian talk as well. I can’t imagine too many non-Christians being attracted to Jesus with slave talk.
But that’s just me.
My final thought on this is though I appreciate your perspective. I do hope that you’ve made an attempt at bringing this to Dr. MacArthur’s attention directly as well as bringing it to the attention of your readers. There’s a lot of mudslinging going on right now, especially in light of Rob Bell’s latest book, that I believe we need a more civil discourse on topics that have a differing perspective. Let your voice be heard for us…and go to the source as well.
Peas and Carrots,
RJ
I have not read the book, but have listened to the sermon that spawned the book. The idea is that all the times in the NT that get translated servant are doing us a disservice. A more accurate translation would be slave. I’m no Greek student but I think this is just a fact that the word ought to be translated slave and that Bible versions have made an effort to soften the effect of the word by using servant. This gives us a lower sense of the type of relationship we are to have and to the lone master we have. You can be servant to many but slave to but one. A slave must be completely committed and dependent on the master. The servant, not so much. I hope you do get to read the book and comment.