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How to Arrive at Truth Through Critical Thinking  /  The Fallacy of Presentism  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 6
In discussing slavery, Bercot insists we must judge people by “the standards of their day and also on the standards of the New Testament,” noting Scripture doesn’t condemn slavery and that corporal punishment was assumed in that world; how does that claim challenge modern assumptions about how quickly the gospel should overturn social institutions, and what does it suggest about God’s patience and priorities in history?
Another way to ask: If the New Testament doesn’t directly condemn slavery, what does that say about how fast the gospel changes big social systems? What might it teach us about God’s patience and what he focuses on in history?

Direct Answer Bercot’s claim challenges the assumption that the gospel always immediately abolishes major institutions; he argues the New Testament addressed how Christians should live within existing structures, urging gentleness and brotherhood rather than issuing a direct ban.

Support from Transcript:

  • He says presentism makes slavery sound automatically evil to us because “we don’t live in a society with slaves,” but slavery existed “from the earliest times until just about a century ago.”
  • He insists on “realism”: judge people by “the standards of their day and also on the standards of the New Testament.”
  • He states plainly, “The New Testament does not condemn slavery,” noting Jesus “never spoke against it” and treated it as “an ordinary thing” in parables.
  • He cites Old Testament texts assuming servant punishment (Proverbs 26:3; 29:19).
  • He argues corporal punishment was “practically the only thing” a master could do since you couldn’t “fire a slave” like an employee today.
  • Yet he stresses New Testament priorities: masters must be “gentle,” treat slaves as “brothers and sisters,” raising the lot of slaves “considerably.”
Discussion Follow-ups If the New Testament often works by transforming relationships before institutions, what does that imply for how we pursue social change today? Where might we be imposing modern expectations onto Scripture?

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