Question Regarding "Silence" in the Bible

I received a good question regarding "silence" of the Bible; how do we decide about matters that aren't specifically covered in the Bible.  The particular question used slavery as an example; since slavery isn't specifically condemned in the Bible, what should be our position?

First, I want to address the questioner's reference to the beginnings of the church.  All denominations have a starting point.  That is, we can trace every denomination back to a person or persons, to a date of beginning, or approximately so.  But none of this is biblical.  The true church of Jesus Christ got its beginning in about 33AD at about the time of the death of Jesus.  The very first church was founded in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2.  The very first Christians were in Jerusalem when they believed, repented and were baptized.  Acts 2 says that the Lord "added them to the church."  As true Christians, we don't trace our roots back to the 1900's or the 1800's or the 1700's.  We must consider that there is only one church and it began with Jesus.

Now speaking of silence, the Bible covers every imaginable subject in a general way; i.e., there is general teaching that would guide us with any decision that we might face.  But the choice of "slavery" is an interesting one, in that the Bible does not directly denounce slavery as such.  But it teaches, for example in Ephesians 6, that the slave is to be a good slave, and the master is to be a good master..."giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him."  Regarding "partiality,"  we see in Galatians 3:28 that all men are equal in God's eyes.  "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."  And in the book of Philemon, Paul writes Philemon and tells him to accept back Philemon's former slave, Onesimus, who had run away but is now returning to Philemon as a new Christian.  Verse 17 says, "Receive him as you would me."  He probably will continue to work for Philemon, but you can be sure that Philemon will be treating Onesimus in a good way...at Paul's request.

So we see Christian principles throughout the Bible to help with every decision.  But we should notice that the Bible does not try to change the social structure of the times or the government.  It doesn't try to change evil governments; we are to obey the government even if we don't like it.  It doesn't denounce slavery; it tells how to deal with it.  And the church of the New Testament is never shown as an organization that is out to solve social problems.  The mission is spiritual; the goal is spiritual; the kingdom is spiritual, and the result, heaven, is spiritual. 

Thanks for reading.  Have a great week!