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Thomas Nelson Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ

Did you know that every time you utter the word "Lord," you make a subtle yet profound declaration that God is your Master and you belong to him? Best-selling author MacArthur explores what it means to follow Christ without hesitation---and why we as believers should consider ourselves slaves who were bought at a price. 256 pages, hardcover from Nelson.
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41 out of 4591%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Review 1 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Very thorough, enjoyed the details

Date:October 29, 2012
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Forgiven1
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Quality: 
4 out of 5
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Interesting analysis, mind opening, will change your perspective on being fully committed to Christ.
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Review 2 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Slave

Date:August 1, 2012
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manonamission
Location:Westvill NJ
Age:55-65
Gender:male
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5 out of 5
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Wondeful insight into how my relationship with Jesus Christ should be seen and lived.
+2points
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Review 3 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Excellent book to shift paradigms.

Date:June 5, 2012
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Shart
Age:45-54
Gender:male
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5 out of 5
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When I read this book I had to put down my Bible. Why? Because it started to make sense after years of misunderstanding.
I looked up the NT translations of the word "doulos" and underlined them in my Bible. Then I picked up my Bible again and started reading all over again with the meaning of "doulos" clearly before me.
Now I have a clearer understanding of God's written Word.
Thank you, Dr. MacArthur!
+1point
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Review 4 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Date:March 6, 2012
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vanessa walters
Location:Red Cloud, Neb.
Age:55-65
Gender:female
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I had NO idea that so many of the words for 'servant' in the Scriptures should be translated slave. I too think of slavery, in terms of the United States and the indentured servant trade and the Civil War. I had never thought about slaves, in Roman and Greek times...now many of the scriptures about serving Him and Him being our Master, make much more sense. This is a deep book; worth the time and the digging into the scriptures to read them, changing the word from servant to slave, as you read. I do have several HCSB Bibles, and they ALL translate the words for servants into the word slave....Maybe some are offended by this book; but I am learning a good deal from it. Thank you Pastor MacArthur for this book.
+2points
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Review 5 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Date:February 24, 2012
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David Shaw
Location:US
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When people ask me about my relationship I usually state that I am a husband, brother, father, son, teacher and so on. These are my most important earthly relationships while giving much information about the nature of that relationship. But when it comes to my relationship with God, how would I answer? In other words which term would I use that most accurately describes the nature of our relationship? That nature is what John MacArthur shows us in his wonderful book Slave.
It is clear from the title of the book that the Biblical view of our relationship with God is that of a master-slave. As always MacArthur uses Scripture to support his view. Using Old and New Testament alike we see that we have always been and will always be a slave of Christ. Too often most people think they are servants of God because of the mistranslation of the Greek word for slave, and that is unfortunate (MacArthur spends a great deal of space showing the difference between servant and slave - they are not the same, not even close).
John takes the slave trade that was used during the time that the New Testament was written and shows how that fits the life believers. As he describes each facet of the master-slave relationship you see in a much clearer way the master-slave relationship we have with God. It will radically change your view of how you relate to God.
I highly recommend this book. It will impact your life long after you read the last page.
+3points
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Review 6 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Great find!

Date:January 29, 2012
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Brew Crew Mama
Location:Janesville, WI
Age:25-34
Gender:female
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This book is exactly what I needed to refresh my view on who I am in Christ.
+2points
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Review 7 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

A fantastic read

Date:December 17, 2011
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cdahl77
Location:Ottawa, ON
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality: 
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Another outstanding book by MacArthur! This book is easy to understand and his explanations are clear and straight-forward. The slave-master relationship is beautifully expounded from both a Biblical and historical perspective, both of which support each other. This book is a must-read if you really want to understand your relationship with Jesus as a Christian.
+4points
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Review 8 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Date:November 9, 2011
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otgal
Location:Janesville, Wisconsin
Age:55-65
Gender:female
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It was a very fast reading book but so deep and thought provoking. It was an attitude I had never had before about my relationship with Christ and puts things in a whole new light. Excellent reading!
+2points
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Review 9 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Well written, well noted, well documented

Date:September 29, 2011
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softec
Location:Moncton, NB
Age:45-54
Gender:male
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I have read a few of John's books before. They have always been well written, but sometimes not so well documented. In this book, if he says something, he backs it up with references. Tons of them. A very very good book to read to get a handle on who we are in Christ. Be challenged, read the book!
+2points
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Review 10 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Date:September 23, 2011
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Denny
Location:Chicago suburbs
Age:Over 65
Gender:male
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I am still in the process of reading this book. It really makes clear many things I have believed, but didn't know how to put into words.
+1point
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Review 11 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Awesome concept; a bit repetitive

Date:July 27, 2011
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Annette Roux
Location:South Dakota
Age:35-44
Gender:female
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The author's content was fantastic - definitely different from what I've heard throughout my life. But at times, I thought his ideas were drawn out too long. He could have said the same in less pages. Slavery has a very negative connotation in our nation - and it should. But slavery in Biblical culture was very different from that. The Greek word for slave has been covered up by being mistranslated in almost every English version. They usually use the word "servant" instead. But think about the differences between slave and servant. They are very different positions. The facts were intriguing, but what it means for us as followers of Christ now is far more powerful to me. The disciples understood the magnitude of grace they received as a result of serving Jesus. We are often casual in our thinking about Him. He also addresses the imagery that we can glean from in the picture of slavery. And then he walks us through the redemption of going from slaves to son...what an incredible picture. This book really challenged me to examine my approach to a Holy God.
+2points
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Review 12 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Hard to get into, but has great information

Date:July 6, 2011
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Myheart623
Location:Janesville, WI
Age:25-34
Gender:female
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“Slave” is not a term that we would like to use in describing ourselves. In this book John MacArthur is not afraid of what that term may mean to us now and brings to life the true meaning of our relationship with Christ. He shows us what the life of a slave of Christ should look like and how it impacts our relationship with Christ if we are trying to act differently. MacArthur outlines the implications of the lordship of Christ, His role in our purchase, pardon, and adoption. And, our responsibility in each aspect of that relationship.
The message of the book is an important one for the modern Christian in America. We, as Americans, focus on ourselves to much, and have difficulty seeing what it really means to dedicate your life to Christ. Even with our praise and prayers we can be selfish.
The first few chapters of “Slave” were a little hard to get into because the author repeated himself a lot, focusing on how we are slaves to Christ. But after that there is a lot of great information and if you read this book with an open heart I think that it can really change your perspective and, in turn, change your relationship with Christ.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.
+1point
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Review 13 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Hold To Truth .com Review of Slave

Date:May 26, 2011
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HoldToTruth com
Location:KCMO
Age:25-34
Gender:male
Quality: 
5 out of 5
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There are a few words that get lost in translation. Some are figures of speech that do not fit the times and customs. And then there are some words softened to ease the impact. John MacArthur discusses one in particular doulos in his book Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ. In thirteen chapter MacArthur weaves a solid argument unpacking the manner of the first century context for this word, why it is important to see, and how the original understanding is imperative to understanding how the Christian life is not.
MacArthur explains how translators softened the word’s meaning of slave to some degree in order to keep from drawing comparisons to antebellum slavery. His perception is implications are greater: “we are under the exclusive ownership of God.” The unpacking of the scriptures, the support of the context, and the implications of what “Lord” means assists the Christian reader to understand their identity properly.
This is more than a must read. For the layman I think this book will give you a good introductory eye-opening experience to who you are because of who you belong to. I would have liked to see Pastor John spend a little more time looking at the implications of slaves belonging to one Lord as the complete picture of an identity but perhaps there will be a follow-up book.
If you read the book, please drop a comment on holdtotruth.com and tell us what you think.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
+1point
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Review 14 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Very good reading!

Date:May 10, 2011
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tpowles
Location:Salisbury, NC
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality: 
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The first few chapters seemed to repeat the same thing over and over (We are a slave to Jesus), but eventually brought out some very interesting points. I especially enjoyed chapter 7 which talked about the life of John Newton, who wrote the song Amazing Grace.
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Review 15 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Clearly defined information is of great value

Date:May 2, 2011
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Shoeless
Location:The Woodlands, Texas
Age:55-65
Gender:male
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The important issue is John MacArthurs ability to clearly define aspects of Christian perspectives in order to add to my need for redefining the aspects of Christianity my life.
Richard H. Hodgin
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Review 16 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

"Slave"

Date:April 12, 2011
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rebrev
Location:eastern NC
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Quality: 
4 out of 5
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“Servant” vs. “Slave,” is more than just a matter of terminology. It should be an attitude and a way of life for the believer. Slave” by John MacArthur, is a well documented work which outlines what the life of a slave of Christ would look like.
MacArthur outlines the implications of the lordship of Christ, His role in our purchase, pardon, and adoption. And, our responsibility in each aspect of that relationship.
I mentioned this work is well documented. Each chapter has a wealth of footnotes. There are many in-text references as well. Those, at times, are overdone.
The message of the book is an important one for the modern Christian in America. We have, collectively, a “me first” attitude toward life and sadly to our relationship with God. Prayer requests are often selfish, salvation is all about the “mansion on the hilltop,” and service is seen as optional.
“Slave” should be read with humility and an open heart, that we may be “doers of the word and not hearers only.”
I post these reviews as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program. I receive a free copy of the book, but am not required to give a positive review. Check it out at www.booksneeze.com
+1point
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Review 17 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Slave is a great read!

Date:March 30, 2011
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kimmi
Location:Powell, WY
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
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This book met and surpassed my expectations!
I really like how each chapter breaks down the language barrier and cultural barrier to pull in the true text of scripture.
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Review 18 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

True Meaning Of Slave

Date:February 26, 2011
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TrenchMommy
Location:USA
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
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According to the back cover of this book there has been quite the cover up happening in our English translations of the Bible. However, a few short pages into the book we find out that most likely it's not intentional. While the promotion for this book may be a bit misleading, the message inside the cover is not. In fact, it will set you back in your chair with a sober "wow!".
I don't consider this book to be an "easy-read", but neither do I think it is hard to read. It is solid theology and historical facts woven together to teach us how we are not just "servants" of Christ, but "slaves". At first glance it doesn't seem to be a big difference but MacArthur shows us the huge difference in no uncertain terms. The look back into the history of the Roman-Greco slaves is fascinating in that understanding that era greatly aids one in understanding the New Testament.
Personally, I enjoyed the entire book for it's eye opening truth, fascinating historical facts, and personal application. The concept that I was once slave to sin, bought as a slave of Christ, and now have been adopted into God's family has radically changed my view on life.
Slave flows from one chapter to another building upon what we know to teach us what it means to be a slave of God. I highly recommend this book to any one - believer or unbeliever - from early teen to any age adult.
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Review 19 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Who We Are in Christ

Date:February 25, 2011
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gingerly
Location:Dallas, TX
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
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I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.
I jumped at the chance to get the new John MacArthur book and I was not disappointed. "Slave" is an enlightening treasure, making sense of our relationship to Christ. John MacArthur discovered through study that most modern translations of the Bible, KJV included, use the word "servant" in place of "slave", entirely altering the meaning of the text. Before we come to Christ, we aren't servants of sin, we are slaves to it. When Christ saves us, we become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:16-20) We belong to Christ and as such, we lovingly submit to Him as Master.
Our status as slaves, and not merely servants, has serious implications for how we think and act as believers. He has exclusive ownership and we are completely dependent on Him and accountable to Him. Unlike worldly masters, Jesus supplies all our needs, strengthens us to do His will, and gives us grace, sufficient to accomplish His purposes.
I was so blessed by all that I learned through this book. MacArthur brings all the scriptures together in one place to explain our true identity in Christ. He starts and ends with scripture; rather than making his point and taking scripture out of context to back him up. This book is solid.
+1point
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Review 20 for Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Date:February 25, 2011
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Chris
MacArthur does a nice job of digging in to the "true" definition of a word that is used countless times throughout scripture in order to describe the believer's relationship to Christ as Lord and Master. This is MacArthur at his best as he teaches the reader by providing the historical and cultural context required in order to fully grasp the concept of the freedom that may be found in slavery to Christ.
A very enjoyable read.
+1point
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