Seth Udinski, FISM News
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On Tuesday, The Christian Post released a report on a historic artifact now on display in the Netherlands known as the “Slave Bible.” It is housed in the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht, Netherlands as part of an exhibit titled “Gospel: Musical Journey of Spirit and Hope.”
Printed in 1807 in London, the Slave Bible has a controversial story. It was heavily edited to remove any biblical condemnations of slavery and essentially rewritten to support the practice of racial slavery, particularly in the British-dominated Central American islands at the height of Britain’s world empire of the 19th century.
The book is subtitled, “Select parts of the Holy Bible for the use of the Negro Slaves in the British West-India Islands.”
It should be noted that according to museum curators, though the Slave Bible was heavily poisoned by human hands, it was effectively used in evangelism.
Still, the Slave Bible represents some of the most insidious dangers involved with any type of altercation or perversion of the Word of God. The writers neglected to include many important sections in sacred scripture, including Exodus 5, Exodus 21:16, and the whole book of Jeremiah.
Julie Gardham, senior assistant librarian at the University of Glasgow Library, said of the book,
In omitting all references to freedom, it is a powerful and chilling reminder of how white Christians manipulated and misused even sacred texts to control the enslaved and legitimize slavery.
The Slave Bible will be on display until early 2023.
Author’s Biblical Analysis:
There are several clear implications that rise to the surface for Christians reading this report. Initially, we see the truth about the Word of God, that it is, contrary to many contemporary critics’ opinions, unquestioningly anti-slavery in its worldview.
All across scripture, there is a clear theme of the sinfulness of the enslavement of other human beings. Furthermore, history tells us, contrary to the opinions of revisionist historians, that those who most often led the way in the abolition of slavery in the West were Christians.
Even above all of this, there is a vital commandment in this report that we must not miss: The Word of God is perfect and true, and any altercation or omission of it is an act of rebellion against the God who breathed it.
We must see this report as a grave warning for Christians. We must trust completely in the inspired Word of God, knowing that it neither changes nor errs, especially in a day and age when so many, even those claiming to be teachers of God’s word, will poison it for the sake of an agenda that does not truly align with it.
The Word of God, the 66 books of the Bible, is sufficient for us, as proven by its own testimony in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We must trust in our good and sovereign God, who has given us His word as a gift and as a guide to sanctification and godliness (Hebrew 4:12). His Word does not fail, it does not come back void, and it is not lacking in any way. If any of us would try to alter the words given to us, the New Testament warns us that God will punish us justly for this act of rebellion. May this never be found among us!
Instead, let us be confident in the unchanging Word that God has graciously provided for us, knowing it is sufficient for us to experience life to the full and live a life that is pleasing to God.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105