Why did Albert Barnes say slavery was wrong even though it is founded in the bible?

Another contributor said:

Albert Barnes was an American theologian born in New York in 1798. He was a leader among the New School Presbyterians and a strong supporter of abolition.

Barnes made an exhaustive study of The Bible passages addressing slavery since many passages could only be interpreted as both approving and promoting slavery which was a common form of life for many people in biblical times. It must also be remembered that different parts of The Bible were written at different times by different authors. It is more an anthology of theological writings that span a long period of time. There is no single theme running throughout, it is a conglomeration of writings, some contradictory, which explains the infinite interpretations that exist today.

Barnes concluded, after his exhaustive study of all its passages, that the institution of slavery was in direct conflict with the primary principles we are to take from scripture including:

equality,

the brotherhood of God's family

the "golden rule,

"spiritual growth, and

God's abhorrence of oppression

Albert Barnes thought slavery was a sinful practice and it should cease and transform into employment. As for his own times, he is quoted as stating: "There is no power out of the church that could sustain slavery an hour, if it were not sustained in it." Think about that. Slavery may have been obliterated sooner in American history had it not been promoted from the pulpit. Barnes was an interesting man whose thinking was far ahead of his times.