1. Class 6:
Q&A
The Most Difficult Issue
CEI Ever Faced
The Most Difficult Issue
CEI Ever Faced
The Most Difficult Issue
CEI Ever Faced

2. The most difficult
“issue” CEI ever faced:
slavery
slavery

3. In 1851, members of the
Restoration Movement
(not just Churches of
Christ) had 101,000
slaves.

4. Why was this such a difficult issue
in the Restoration Movement?
in the Restoration Movement?
•Economic Stress
•Cultural Pressure
•Moral Conviction
•Biblical Permission

5. Campbell’s view
•“Slavery is not expedient” (practical)
•It is not a sin
•It is not a reason to disfellowship or
break unity

6. Shannon’s view
•“I have nature, the U.S. Constitution,
and the Bible on my side.”

7. Butler’s view
•“Slavery must end now!”

8. Results
•Did slavery divide the Restoration
Movement?

9. Results
•Many justified slavery through the Bible
•Bible never condemns slavery, but regulates it.
•Lev. 25:44; 1 Cor. 7:21-23; Eph 6:5-8; Col. 3:22;
1 Tim. 6:1-2; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18
•Slavery back then wasn’t what it is now.

10. Results
•Many justified slavery through the Bible
•Bible never condemns slavery, but regulates it.
•Lev. 25:44; 1 Cor. 7:21-23; Eph 6:5-8; Col. 3:22;
1 Tim. 6:1-2; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18
•Slavery back then wasn’t what it is now.