Culture & Commentary
This question is often asked as a challenge to the Christian faith:
“If God is good, where was He during slavery?”
As a descendant of slaves and sharecroppers from Georgia, I do not approach this question academically. My great-grandparents were sharecroppers. My grandmother was a sharecropper. Based on the time period, it is likely that previous generations in my family experienced slavery directly.
So I understand why this question matters.
The first thing to understand is that the existence of evil is not evidence that God approves of it.
The Bible records murder, abuse, oppression, greed, idolatry, war, and slavery. Recording something is not the same as endorsing it.
Scripture teaches that humanity was created in God’s image:
“So God created man in His own image…” (Genesis 1:27)
God gave mankind dominion over the earth, not over one another.
Throughout Scripture, God condemns man-stealing and human trafficking:
- Exodus 21:16
- Deuteronomy 24:7
- 1 Timothy 1:10
The God of the Bible is not pro-slavery.
The larger question is often:
“Why didn’t God stop it?”
The same question could be asked about murder, abuse, genocide, corruption, and every other evil act in history.
The Bible consistently teaches that God created humans with the ability to choose. Human beings can obey God or rebel against Him.
Slavery was not the result of God’s design.
It was the result of humanity violating it.
Yet even in the midst of oppression, God remained present.
He heard Israel’s cries in Egypt.
He delivered them from bondage.
He raised up people throughout history who fought against slavery and injustice.
Most importantly, He entered human suffering Himself through Christ.
The cross reveals a God who is not distant from pain, but willing to suffer with humanity and redeem what humanity has broken.
Perhaps the better question is not:
“Where was God?”
But:
“Where were the people who claimed to know Him?”
God’s design has never been domination.
His design has always been image-bearing, stewardship, justice, mercy, and love.
Slavery reveals what happens when people reject God’s design—not what happens when they follow it.
Explore the Discipleship Hub for more foundational insights.
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