A Better Freedom: Finding Life As Slaves of Christ

by Michael Card

Explores the biblical imagery of slavery as a metaphor for Christian discipleship, showing how the early church saw Greco-Roman slavery as a window into understanding Jesus both as the Savior who took on the form of a slave, but also as the true master who frees people from their slavery to sin. Companion songs available for free download. Original.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian

166 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Michael Card (born April 11, 1957) is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in contemporary Christian music, which couple folk-style melodies and instrumentation with lyrics that stem from intensive study of the Bible. Since his debut in 1981, he has sold more than 4 million albums and has written 19 No. 1 singles.He has also authored several books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner A Sacred Sorrow.

http://www.michaelcard.com/#/about-mi...

Reviews

[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language of slave and master permeates Scripture, often used to express the relationship between Christ and His people. While Card is clear that this book is not meant to be a technical study but simply an examination of a biblical metaphor, it does seem to suffer from lack of clear emphasis, choosing instead to meander between Scripture, first-century slavery, 19th century slave trade in America, and Card’s own anecdotes. A solid, if somewhat ambling, work.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book from one of my favorite Christian authors. Card compares and contrasts slavery in the 1st century Roman Empire, and in 19th century America. He then compares both to the use of the word "slave" and various slavery word pictures used in the New Testament. Thought-provoking and challenging, with a very good bibliography in the back for further research.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite story of Michael Card (other than meeting him at my Mom's church), was hearing that Ravi Zacharias insisted Michael Card accompany him during his invitation to speak at the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City. If you're gonna have music in the house of Demon - it might as well be AWESOME and theologically valid. (and groovy!!!)

This offering is similar to John MacArthur's book: Slave. ( In a theological and biblical sense anyway.)

But very different in writing style. Here Michael Card (Christian musician extraordinaire and super nice guy) shows us the relations between Slavery in the Old Testament, New Testament, and American Slavery. And through this we are shown how slavery is a huge part of God's plan. YES, Christians are called to be Slaves of Christ... Sorry liberals and Social Gospel do-gooders. Take it up with scripture if you must.

1 Corinthians 7
21Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.g 24Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.

Yep, us humans have a slave master relationship with the God of the universe. Satan might tell you otherwise - but it's best to ignore him... even when what he says agrees with your rebellious humanism.

I didn't know that Michael Card attended a Black American congregation. Interesting.
This is how the slavery issue hits so close to home for him, he knows people that have much slavery in their ancestry and not so distant past. And sadly, this slavery issue is far from over. WE humans aren't getting anymore loving anytime soon - we just hide it better.

Michael reminds us how deeply slavery affects huge portions of the Bible: from Genesis to Revelation... we just can't stop enslaving each other. And it plays a very important part of our redemption and symbolism. Even Jesus has a fair bit to say about Slaves and Slavery. And how we all need a Master.
This book deals with my favorite smallish Bible book: Philemon.
My much loved letter from the Apostle Paul to a church buddy --- about a slave "Onesimus".

WE also learn a great deal about how slavery was included in many parables.

No denying it: Slavery is everywhere in history and religions AND JESUS.
So how can slavery possibly equal Freedom? Better to be the slave of a powerful and loving master, than a poor pathetic freeman who is trapped by the world and its pressures.

For those interested in the subject of historical slavery (like I am): there's a huge bibliography in the end of the book. Amazing resources.

You can't comprehend Christianity without acknowledging it's roots and slavery. Ask Joseph and his technicolor dreamcoat even.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short review: Michael Card works through what it means to be a slave to Christ in light of historic Roman era slavery (when the New Testament was written) and in light of race based slavery in the US. This is largely a book of scriptural exploration and context, but includes significant reflections on what we can learn from the Black Church's development out of slavery. Michael Card attends a historic Black congregation and the themes and teachings of that church are reflected throughout the book. There are not many books by White authors that focus on what the broader church can learn from the historic black church, but this is one of them.

I wish I had read this earlier. But I also wish is was a bit more academically focused. This is a popular level book and I think quite helpful. But there were times I wanted more, both in length and academic content.


My slightly longer review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/better-freedom/

[Marsha Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Romans 1:1 Paul says he is a slave of Christ. I’ve read this passage many, many times. After reading this book, it has a whole different meaning to me. Michael Card brings slavery upfront and personal in this book. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone explain it as well as he does. Or maybe I just didn’t pay attention before. Slavery seems to be one of those taboo topics, but Michael really meets it head on in his book. Very engaging and enlightening.

[Mike Coon]

The message of this book is sorely missing in the American church today. The idea of being a slave is offensive to us yet that is exactly the model for the Christian life that God offers us through Paul and the other Apostles. I found this to be a great challenge to me personally and would highly recommend it to any believer.

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: B
Writing: B
Vocabulary: B
Level: Easy
Rating: PG (slavery, murder, sexual trafficking, racism, degradation, war)
Worldview: Jesus, the rightful Master, lived as a slave in order to redeem us from slavery to sin into slavery in his household. So we ought to live as slaves to Jesus the Master even as we grow in the love and freedom he lavishes on us.

[Amy]

"My book 'A Better Freedom' has literally sold tens of tens!" Michael Card

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look into both the institution of slavery and the meaning of Christian discipleship

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Wish this could be recommended reading for every Christian in America. Highly recommend.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just fantastic ~~ basically, discipleship = slavery to Christ = true freedom.

I listened to it on Audible, and will buy a paper copy to read and underline :)

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply beautiful book about slavery and faith in Jesus Christ. Highly recommended.

[Rudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable (albeit short) read with many thought provoking passages. I don't feel that I can add a lot of value by reviewing it, so here are a few of Michael's own words from this book:

"The freedom of slavery is a paradoxical freedom, just as the crucified life is a paradoxical living. The tension must be maintained—poverty for wealth, wisdom for foolishness, maturity as childlikeness, slavery for freedom."

If freedom through slavery in the christian sense sounds like a topic you'd like to explore further, you'll likely be moved by this book as I was.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this, which is nice because you get to hear Michael Card sing as well. A good introduction and primer for understanding the intricacies of how slavery was practiced in Biblical times, why Jesus so often used it as a parable example, and what that means as Christ-followers today.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus and Slavery

We usually don't equate Jesus and slavery together, but Michael Card presents the case of Jesus becoming a slave and dying for our sins. Not quite as in depth as MacArthur's book on the topic, but still a good introduction on this important topic.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many very good insights, but (even though he states otherwise) he conflates American and Roman slavery too much.