The Bible was made a standard text-book both for and against slavery.

Hebrew and Christian experiences were exploited in the interest of the contending parties in this crucial controversy.

Churches of the same name and order were divided among themselves and became half pro-slavery and half anti-slavery.
Greek experience and Greek literature were likewise drawn into the controversy.

The Greeks themselves had set the example of arguing both for and against slavery.

Their practice and their prevailing teaching, however, gave support to this institution.