This Black History Month sermon, "I Have Come to Testify to the Truth," is a lesson on why the word of God does not sanction what scholars now call "American slavery." American slavery, a legal and oppressive system of labor that existed from the 17th century to the 19th century, must be distinguished from the form of servitude that God allowed in the scriptures. It is very important to distinguish the two systems because many erroneously equate the two forms of servitude. As a result, many have struggled with their faith by mistakenly believing that God sanctioned American slavery or any form of oppression.
This sermon is in no way an exhaustive look at American slavery nor the scriptures that apply. However, it is meant to at least demonstrate that by his very nature, and by his commands, God did not approve of the form of oppression that was legal in this nation for two centuries.
Dr. Richard Rodriguez recently earned his Ph.D. with distinction at Florida International University in U.S. History in December of 2017. The title of his dissertation is "The Bible Against American Slavery." He is a Social Studies teacher and will be an Adjunct Lecturer at Florida International University this Summer and Fall. He has been married 27 years to Debonaire and they have four children: Kris, Stephen, Daniel and Jade. Richard is part of the lay leadership of the One Miami Church ministry of the South Florida Church of Christ. He was baptized into Christ at the Crossroads Church of Christ in 1981. Dr. Rodriguez can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..