MacArthur spends much of the beginning of his book setting forth his conspiracy theory in regard to the translation of a particular Greek word, “doulos.” The Greek word doulos is translated “servant” in the KJV and other popular translations but is used in many other Greek writings to refer specifically to a slave. It is for this reason the Holman Study Bible translates doulos as “slave” and other translations as a “bondslave.”
Not unaware of the treatment of first century slaves or the more recent mistreatment of Africans and others with dark skin tones, MacArthur believes the conspiracy is the result of our more modern sensitivities. While the case can be made for the NT writers use of the word “doulos” (servant or slave) as a metaphor for aspects of our Christian life, but as with most metaphors, if carried beyond their context they reveal many contradictions. As previously mentioned, even MacArthur struggles with these contradictions toward the latter half of his book, which makes the book noticeably disjointed.
There is a much more important and practical reason for contesting the concept that slavery reflects our identity in Christ than refuting John MacArthur’s book, Slave. I think that it is absolutely necessary and God’s will for us to see ourselves not as slaves but as sons. As I describe the characteristics of each, I want you to think about which covenant, Law or Grace, each aspect more readily lends itself to.
• A slave has a master or lord while a child has a father and/or mother
• A slave is purchased at a cost to the master while a child is the product of a relationship
• A slave is the ‘property’ of the master while a child is a “gift” from God and shares in all the resources of the family (cf. Mt. 15:26; Luke 15:31)
• A slave is bound to involuntary service while a child is taught to obey their parents and trained in the way they should go
• A slave only pleases his master by way of working well and working hard while with a child the parents care more about time spent rather than the things done for them
• A slave has no possessions but a child receives an inheritance
• While both a slave and child are protected and provided for, the motivation for doing so differs greatly. The slave is provided for and protected so that they may produce - a child is provided for and protected out of love and so they may carry on a legacy.
• A slave is motivated by fear but a child should be motivated by relationship, right and wrong, and a sense of calling.
Did you see that the characteristics of slaves more accurately describe those under law? The slave must obey his master.
“Slaves know no law but their master’s word; they have no rights of their own; they are absolute possessions of their master; and they are bound to give their master unquestioning obedience.” - William Barclay
So also must those who are under the Law must continue to be obedient to the whole Law or be punished (cf. Gal. 3:10-12).
Slaves receive no inheritance or lasting legacy. Jesus said, “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn 8:35-36). And Galatians 3:26-29 teaches, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Do you recognize that if we see ourselves as slaves to our Lord we actually miss out on the very reason we are eternally saved? We are saved not out of obedience but out of our relationship as sons and daughters in Christ. We must be born again or born from above (cf. Eph. 2:8-9 and John 3:5).
Obedience follows our relationship to Christ. That is why Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). The preeminent description of followers of Jesus is that of God’s children and we are each brothers and sisters.
Paul describes our former relationship to God under the Law as slavery saying:
“What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir (Gal. 4:1-7).
Did you get that? We were slaves but now having received the Spirit of His Son we now call God, “Abba, Father.” He did this so that we might receive the full rights of sons. This is confirmed by the apostle John who says, “He (Jesus) came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:11-12). The inheritance is our right as sons but if we think that we must earn it by working for it we will never receive it because God gives it to us for one reason and one reason only – we are Christ’s and as such we are fellow heirs (see also Rom. 8:15-17).
So the real application of this is that we must realize that all that we obtain from God we receive by way of His loving, and fatherly grace. We see ourselves as blessed, accepted, chosen as adopted children, and forgiven because we are God’s children by faith in Christ Jesus. We have the right to come boldly, with confidence, before God’s throne of Grace solely on the basis of Christ’s priestly work on the cross (cf. Heb. 4:15). If we do not see ourselves as God’s children we will think that it is by self-effort and good works that we may present our requests to God. To those who see themselves as unworthy (which we truly are) they will not see God as a loving Father who gives good gifts to those who ask (Mt. 7:9-12). This hurts us because James tells us that if we want to receive anything from God we must ask in faith without wavering and without this kind of faith we should not expect to receive anything from God (Jas.1:6-7).
