Why do my Christian professors use the term servant, instead of slave girl?

Question

Back in my childhood they were called slaves. Sarah didn't have a servant girl, she had a slave.

Answer 1

When someone is a 'slave' what do you picture? I picture someone that is working against their will, to do what 'the master' wants them to do.

When someone is a 'servant' I picture someone that chooses for themselves to serve another, and they see themselves as neither higher or lower than the person they are serving.

My thinking is that the word slave is negative- it exudes a negative vibe. It is hard for me to think about people having slaves, and that being a way of life for many people. I imagine a slave must have had an inner feeling of serving the Lord, doing their best at what ever they could do. When it seemed to a lot of people all they were doing was serrving their Earhtly master. I hope this helped.

Answer 2

NIV translation?

Answer 3

because then they'd have to whip them more?  

Answer 4

Because not all servants are slaves; therefore, it is more precise when you don't know for certain.

Answer 5

Probably for the same reason I use "recreational assistant" rather than hooker.  

Answer 6

many people use the term "servent" instead of slave. actually, i just read a will from one of my relatives. the will uses the term "servent" for what i know full well was a slave. but then again, my great grea great whatever grandmother adopted her "slave" and made him her own child with her name and everything so maybe they felt "slave" was a negative term.  

Answer 7

The same reason they call it collateral damage when thousands of innocent Iraqis die.

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Answer 8

Because a servant, by modern definitions, is someone who chooses to serve a master. A slave is someone forced into service against their will.

In the context to serving the Lord, it is completely optional, making "servant" the more appropriate word.

Of interesting note, I have heard many Muslims use the term "slave," but that may simply be a lost in translation sort of thing rather than an intentional meaning.

Answer 9

It makes them feel better about their slavery loving god.