Christian Book on Modern Slavery

Aim

Encountering Modern Slavery is an upcoming Christian book to be published by Wipf&Stock. Money raised will go towards publication fees.

Have you ever wondered what it means to live in a world where not only slavery exists, it thrives? Have you ever wondered what does this mean for our Christian faith? Have you ever asked what can we do about modern slavery? 

Many people today are asking these questions, whether it is after watching a recent movie highlighting the injustice of human trafficking, or having heard about another criminal bust which uncovered victims of criminal exploitation. Non-governmental organisations and policing authorities have taken the reign on tracking down criminals, rescuing victims, and informing society about the reality of modern day slavery. But where does that leave you and I? 

Years ago Christians were able to bring about a huge legal victory which established a new global legal precedent. We abolished slavery. But it did not end. Rather, it went underground where it developed into a network of abusers and criminals who are responsible for what is now the fastest growing criminal industry. There are now more slaves than there ever has been at any time in history. 

Encountering Modern Slavery has been written to challenge and provoke anti-slavery and anti-trafficking practice among Christians in the global North. The heartfelt cry of this book is a call to return to the slavery-fee ways of life that Jesus came to establish on earth. It is a call to become a church that responds to the cries of victims of modern slavery in deed and action, not just in word, and to recognise that the Gospel is in fact an answer to the issue of modern slavery. 

Additionally, this book is informative and well researched, having been based upon Sarah-Jayne's own Masters dissertation. You will be guided into the academic literature and legislative definition of modern slavery and equipped to know what exactly modern slavery is. You will critically engage with current academic thought on anti-trafficking both within Christian theological discourse, and the evidence-based discipline of modern slavery studies. 

Abolition, which was once synonymous with the missionary movement will be re-examined and contrasted to modern day mission theology in order to re-define how to do anti-slavery work as Christians within the 21st century. We will dive into Paul's theology of slavery to uncover teachings, ethics, and principles that shed light on modern slavery and how Christians should respond to it. The journey will end by taking the evidence of modern slavery, it's causes and proposed solutions for eradication, and taking a hard look at passages in the Book of Revelation to contextualise a new anti-slavery praxis for today.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 8th February 2024