Does the Bible Endorse Slavery?

In church yesterday morning my pastor was preaching on Ephesians 6:1-9. He addressed a subject I get questions about from time to time by people whose motivation is typically to discredit the Bible.

So does the Bible endorse slavery? No. Here are some points my pastor, Shawn Barr, made during his sermon at Grace Fellowship in Des Moines, IA.

1. Just because the Bible mentions a cultural problem does not mean it is condoning it.
2. The purpose of the Bible is not to change society. Its Gods proclamation for salvation. As peoples hearts are changed by the Gospel, then society can be changed.
3. The Christian religion at the time the New Testament was written was unlawful and politically powerless.
4. The gospel immediately began to... [via Caffeinated Thoughts]