Augustine on slavery and bondage

And thus there are many wicked masters who have religious men as their slaves, and who are yet themselves in bondage; "for of whom a man is overcome, of the same he is brought into bondage." And beyond question it is a happier thing to be the slave of a man than of a lust; for even this very lust of ruling, to mention no others, lays waste men's hearts with the most ruthless dominion. Moreover, when men are subjected to one another in a peaceful order, the lowly position does as much good to the servant as the proud position does harm to the master. (Augustine City of God p694)

When I read this passage, I couldn't help but see how clearly Augustine described the future situation of racism and slavery in the United States. Many wicked masters had righteous slaves, and the masters were in a more harmful bondage than their slaves. That lust of ruling did, and does, lay waste men's hearts with ruthless dominion, such as devastated the morality of the white culture. Where humility and righteousness flourished among black slaves, their grace and power manifested the glory of the gospel and its omnipotent power to subvert the powers of this age.

If I am not mistaken, this is precisely where the abolition and civil rights movements accomplished only partial success. They brought black Americans out of one kind of bondage (which was evil and oppressive), but did not with all their might fight to avoid the bondage which had enslaved their masters. That beauty and humility that was in so many places evident through the gospel in black communities was not treasured above power and freedom.

O how I long and pray for that day when homes like that of Ruby Bridges would again adorn the Gospel and display true freedom and the mercy of Christ!