Abortion, Slavery, and Inspiration: What’s Actually in the Bible? – Dan McClellan
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– VIDEO NOTES
Dan McClellan is an American public scholar of the Bible and religion.
– LINKS
Dan’s YouTube: @maklelan
Dan’s forthcoming book: https://amzn.to/4go5Nd6
– TIMESTAMPS
0:00 What Do People Get Wrong About Using the Bible?
2:01 Is All Scripture Inspired?
9:33 Is the Bible Certain on Anything?
14:24 Does the New Testament Ban Slavery?
19:20 Are We Enslaved to God?
25:08 Was Old Testament Slavery Not That Bad?
28:59 Is Abortion in the Bible?
36:22 Does the Old Testament Law Make Sense?
40:30 Does the Bible Condemn Abortion?
45:26 Are All Lives Equal in the Bible?
1:00:32 The History of Abortion in Christianity
1:12:00 Is Child Sacrifice in the Bible?
– CONNECT
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The Within Reason Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/within-reason/id1458675168
– CONTACT
Business email: contact@alexoconnor.com
——————————————
@dustinalexander3742
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Not me having zoned out a little bit, thinking about some things that were said…
Alex: D O Y O U S T R U G G L E T O
F O C U S ?
@bobowon5450
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
slavery and the bible is always odd because it seems to phrase slavery as a bad thing, but not something that shouldn't be done. And yet the bible was also a driving force for eliminating slavery in the modern world based on the idea we are all made in gods image and thus enslaving someone is unjust
@davegaskell7680
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Enjoyed that, thanks.
@0nlyThis
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
The OT says not a word about homosexuality. The Levitical injunctions quite clearly prohibit an Israelite lying with another Israelite as if the latter were a woman – that's it.
Such prohibitions did not, of course, extend to male slaves nor, all too often, to captives of war (ref: 2Samuel 10:4,5).
@analogia_entis
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
And of course pompous assshole Alex will decide, Pope Alex, which Bible (66 or 73 books) and which translation, and definitely no Imprimatur or Nihil Obstat for hubristic Alex, Naaaah, not for the professional 'seeker'
@analogia_entis
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
I should have foreseen the great fraud would seek out the great Bible poseur.
so Alex , probably told about the Jewish amicus curiae in Dobbs, had to put a plug in about abortio/child sacrifice
ABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTEREST OF AMICI ………………………………….. 1
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ………………………… 3
ARGUMENT ……………………………………………….. 5
I. JUDAISM IS THE ORIGINAL PRO-LIFE
RELIGION. IT WAS THE FIRST RELIGION IN HUMAN HISTORY TO SANCTIFY HUMAN LIFE FROM CONCEPTION
TO NATURAL DEATH AND TO PROHIBIT CHILD SACRIFICE ………………….. 5
And of course Dan will make his usual fallacious addition: Well nuclear war is not mentioned in the Bible….
Two utter fools, I don't hesitate to mock to my Philosophy students
@nondscript1751
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Christian Egregore
@stevenmonroe8652
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Yes, Modern culture sanctions "servitude" nothing has changed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR1jzExZ9T0
@jakewatson6912
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
God does not support slavery. He regulated and instructed people on slavery, just like He did with giving Israel a king when He did not want that to happen, but it is impossible for Him to actually think slavery is ok. Jesus’s teachings leave no room for slavery long term. Jesus was reaching for the heart of humanity and changing them at a fundamental and deep level. By showing humanity how to treat each other and showing how the lord views humanity, He showed that it is impossible for slavery to be morally ok without even outright saying it. The world and kingdom He preached leaves zero room for slavery. He had His reasons for not going “Slavery is wrong” because He knows the best way to actually create change not just on a surface and logistical level, but on a deep and fundamental heart level. We see this with Paul, where he encourages Philemon to take Onesimus back not as a slave like he was before, but like a brother.
@bronxcheer1484
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Word salad
@user-zz6ug8wx4n
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
IT DOESNT SAY THAT BRAAAAACH IT DOESNT SAY THAT IT DOESNT SAY THAT BRAAAAACH. DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY BRAAAAAACH GIVE POLLY A CRACKER BRAAAAAAAACH
@Mr.757_king
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Dan who is a Mormon always has something to say about the Bible however won’t debate top apologists who call him out on daily he just blocks them
@dougwulf6684
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Thanks!
@hadescerberus8322
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Love the videos, super wrong about the abortion ritual in the bible. Atleast you do say it's your personal take
@cathyharrop3348
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
My understanding is the the idea of the immaculate conception was much older, but it wasn't formally adopted by the Vatican until the 1800's precisely because of the wider access to abortion then.
@cathyharrop3348
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
The nineteen century is when surgical abortions are developed and begin to be used by male doctors. Prior to the pharmaceutical abortions were the job of midwives. Also English common law, which applied in America, stated that abortions were legal until the quickening. In America ant-abortion laws began to be passed in the 1840's.
@cathyharrop3348
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
58:20: I wish when you mention the Epicurean concept of ensoulment you'd mention that they don't believe in an immortal soul, but one that forms along with the rest of the fetus but that desolves on death.
@wiseowl1580
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Im sorry but what do you two gentlemen fail to understand? The "God" governing this world is evil. We live in a fallen world. Jesus came to tell us this, that his father is the divine light. Its up to us to come back to him.✌️
@omegagilgamesh
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
"The Declaration of Independence says 'all men are created equal.' This was written by a man who enslaved his own children!"
Hold on, despite what many Christian Nationalist apologist ignorami say, it's never been legal enslave white people in the US or the pre-revolution colonies! I'm looking this up.
*
Oh, Thomas Jefferson's illegitimate children.
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Hee hee hee keep mocking God. I'm so not cool with any of this foolishness of humans thoughts of how they feel things should be or how things ought to be. But I do trust God. So if God permits his word bring questioned God will correct it, Amen
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
There is always a great message for the one's who know of the way the truth and the life. Only God gives us all and everything. We can obtain all the knowledge of the world m but it is useless it is not from God our Creator. No man knows all things,very little actually without it being guided from our father himself
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
God's thinking his thoughts are deeper than ours. Isaiah 55. Faith is thrown out the window. Faith comes by HEARING Hearing the word of God. All your teaching is not of God's divine wisdom and understanding and teachings.
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Oh I get so upset. All this advice you're giving out that has nothing to do with anything truly. Not guided by the Holy Spirit. I hear you in what you are saying,but your knowledge is of your man knowledge,but not God's divine wisdom
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
You are not God man. Please stop taking about something you truly know nothing of. Only can the Holy Spirit know all truths. But you do not know the way the truth and the Life. So stop giving theological or whatever you call it of advice that goes against the word of God
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Your seeking knowledge but not that deep personal relationship that brings us salvation
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Man cannot no all truths. Only our omnipotent God has the answers and knowledge that surpasses the the understanding smartest of us,humans.
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
He is not God no one is God. Only God is God. He is merely a man,he doesn't know fully no one does. Other wise we wouldn't need a savior. But we do need a savior. Just trust God everyone,please
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Get into the word and let the Holy Spirit guide you not man. That itself is really crazy.
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
The Bible itself is guided by the Holy Spirit.vand only in the spirit can we know the truth. Not our human understanding or knowledge. God is our Savior Jesus Christ is Lord.
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
You cannot argue but let the Holy Spirit teach you all things. Other wise you will give them the wrong information. This is about our salvation. It's not about who knows more but it's about being guided by the Holy Spirit
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Yahweh is the breathe of Life
@DanaEdwards-d2x
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Please allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in the living word of God. Other wise,Satan will deceive you. And you yourself,will lead others astray. Watch what we get out there To not unintentionally lead people astray
@yucafries7681
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Ppl talk about “proto-orthodoxy” and then you realize that many of the church fathers were mentored by heretics
@susanstein6604
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Christians and atheists have no idea how Jews read or interpret the “Old Testament. Although the Christian “Old” Testament is not the same as the TANACH. The Christian “Old” Testament ends with Malachai, while the TANACH ends with Chronicles II. There are books in the same Christian “Old” Testament that aren’t in the TANACH such as Esther and Maccabees. You have never read any Midrash or any of the centuries of commentaries.Yet you haven't realized how unprepared and ignorant you both are.
@noahway13
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Woody Harrelson retired and is a Bible Scholar ?? Cool!!
@holyjoe-f1h
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
St. Augustine did not say abortion was okay. He called it ''evil work.''
@tomwalling5796
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Numbers 5: 11-31. Wow. This passage alone tells you basically everything you need to know about christianity.
@BibleStudyCenter
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
The thing Dan gets wrong here about Exodus 21:22 is that the text doesn't say anything about "a miscarriage" or "further harm", it simple says "if her children come out and are not harmed". That is the circumstance for the person being fined: not if the child dies, but if it causes the woman to go into labor and deliver the child and there is no harm done. But if there is harm (either to the child or the woman because the text does not specify in verse 23), then it's life for life, etc.
I don't know why the NRS insists on translating it as a miscarriage, this simple word for "come/go out" is used over 900 times in the Hebrew bible including giving birth to normal, healthy children and particularly for twins (Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:25-26; Perez and Zerah in Genesis 38:28-30; note the use of the plural 'children' in verse 22). The same word is used earlier in Exodus 21 to refer to slaves "going out" which Dan refers to in this very video, so he knows it exists and what it means. He seems to understand the nuances of Hebrew quite well most of the time. He claims to have reasons why the plainest reading isn't "plausible", but if you want them you'll have to read his book.
@rationalpear1816
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
how much of biblical slavery law is because masters routinely fucked their slaves, who then both them children. get slaves from around you are temporary residents (bc a lot of our slaves are our children and grandchildren). or you can go out from slavery with any children you brought in with you, but if i give you a wife (which i’ve surely fucked) you can’t leave with the children (cuz some are probably mind).
@stevenpike7857
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
The differences between antebellum slavery and the slavery in the Bible is semantic only. Trade out Jewish for "White," and it's pretty much the same thing. Jews were allowed to purchase and sell slaves, just not Jewish ones, and White people were allowed to buy and sell non-White slaves, like Black and American Aboriginals, but not White ones. This ancient Jewish god had zero problems with slavery and that's a difficult pill for modern apologists to swallow so they lie and / or misrepresent what the Bible says – which is quite ironic considering lying and bearing false witness IS actually something this god doesn't like.
@stevenpike7857
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
Wasn't it just a bunch of old men that decided what the Bible is? Wasn't there a lot of scriptures, and they chose the ones that best fit their own narrative and bias?
@GaryEtheridge-d5n
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
A intelligent person can only believe in the Bible if you ignore a great deal of it!
@michaelwolff1694
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
I can't speak for anyone in any other country, like the USA, for example, where a lot of Fundamentalists and Charismatic type Christians reside; but, as a 70ish year old man in Canada, I can tell you, that I didn't know anyone, in the late 50s or through the 60s, (at least in my area) who believed the Bible was the inerrant and infallible Word of God, and that we should draw our morality from it. Rather, we all seemed to take it as a book, written by our fore-parents in the faith, and acknowledge that some of it was myth, and that other parts were philosophical and theological instruction, and that most of it was the history of how our fore-parents, in the faith, interacted with the Divine or God. It wasn't really, until the 70s, with more and more American styled TV preachers coming to Canada by way of cable tv, that we saw an increase in Canadians moving towards a more Biblical based Christianity and a gradual growth in Fundamentalism and or Charismatic type groups who seemed to make an Idol out of the Bible… who seemed to be worshipping it rather than relying on ones own inner spiritual connection to God or relying on their own inner moral compass and God given logic, that we had used for so long prior to this. Personally, and I am a retired pastor, I would never use the Bible as my main or even as a major source of information, when trying to formulate a moral response to any difficult event or encounter with another person or animal… Rather, I would reason out what I should do, based on my own innate moral compass and past experiences. Certainly and for sure, I would NEVER use the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) for advice on morality… there is just way too much, smiting in there for my liking. Great video, guys. I am not necessarily a fan of either of you, (sorry) although I have, in recent days, started to watch more of your videos… this one is a good one, in my opinion.
@lhuff482
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
I understand the need to have adds, but the number of them are overwhelming.
@CaliforniaSurfer-gc2xv
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 am
RAPE
OF WOMAN CHILDREN
SLAVERY
EAT DUNG DRINKING URUNE
BE A EUNCUH
EAT YOUR KIDS
WATER GENOICDE
KEEP VIRGINS AS WAR BRIDES
STONE WOMAN CHILDTEN
MURDER FIRTBORNS
TORT CHAMBER
USE SWORDS ON PREGNANT WOMAN
EVIL FING PSYCHO BOOK
THE INERRANT BOOK OF THE INERRANT IMMUTABLE FING MONSTER PSYCHO Gawd
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