From Shackles to Pews: How The Modern Church Sustains Systems of Control

Introduction & Disclaimer 

The goal of this piece is not to criticize any church, minister, or denomination. I understand that this is a sensitive topic, and as someone raised in the church, I recognize the instinct to defend the modern church system. I firmly believe that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. However, the church must evolve—not through cultural compromise, but by returning to the pure teachings of Christ. 

This discussion is meant to challenge believers to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus and remain open to continuous learning and growth. Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, must have foresee the challenges the church would face, and like all living things, the church is meant to grow and transform. But the question remains: Are we growing in Christ, or are we merely expanding institutions? 

How does the Mordern Church mirrors the Israel's Slavery in the Scriptures? 

Loss of Freedom & Autonomy 

The Israelites in Egypt had no control over their lives. Pharaoh dictated their labor, living conditions, and even sought to control their population (Exodus 1:8-14, 22). 

Today, many Christian institutions function similarly, imposing strict guidelines on how people should live, what they should believe, and even how they should think. This influence extends into politics, where members are urged—or outright told—who to vote for under the guise of religious duty. 

The concept of holiness is often weaponized to justify rigid rules on dress, behavior, and lifestyle, reinforcing conformity over conviction. Questioning religious leaders is discouraged, creating an environment where pastors are revered rather than held accountable. 

Moreover, some churches instill fear by teaching that leaving the faith leads to damnation. Instead of fostering a genuine relationship with God, this creates a system where people remain not out of faith, but out of fear—bound to the institution rather than free in Christ.  

Forced Labor 

The Israelites were forced into backbreaking labor, building cities for Pharaoh with no compensation (Exodus 1:11-14). 

While modern churches do not enforce physical labor, many religious institutions demand unpaid service in the name of God. Members are expected to give their time, money, and energy to the church—sometimes under manipulative pressure. 

Serving the church is equated with serving God, but in many cases, believers are actually working to fulfill their pastor’s vision rather than a divine calling. Donations can feel less like acts of faith and more like spiritual obligations, often tied to promises of blessings or warnings of consequences. 

Service to the church isn’t inherently wrong. The problem arises when manipulation replaces true devotion, turning what should be a joyful offering into coerced labor.  

Dehumanization 

Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a threat and stripped them of their humanity, reducing them to laborers and even ordering the death of their newborn sons (Exodus 1:16, 22). 

Some Christian institutions prioritize organizational growth over individual well-being, functioning like corporations rather than communities of faith. Members are treated as replaceable rather than valued as unique individuals. 
This contradicts the biblical concept of the Body of Christ, where every member plays an essential role (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Jesus modeled a radically different approach: 

“If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” — Matthew 18:12-14 (NIV) 

True Christianity values the one just as much as the ninety-nine. 

Coercion & Fear 

The Egyptian taskmasters beat and oppressed the Israelites when they failed to meet quotas (Exodus 5:14-16). . 

While physical violence is rare in modern churches, psychological and emotional coercion is common. Fear of hell, demonic attacks, or divine punishment is used to keep believers in line. Excommunication, public shaming, and social exclusion function as modern punishments for those who question church authority. In some rural part of the world, physical violence (disguised as discipline)is still a common practice. 

Instead of fostering true faith, these tactics enslave the mind. But Jesus did not come to establish a kingdom of fear—He came to offer grace, freedom, 

Slavery was a Business.

The Israelites built the cities of Pithom and Rameses yet received no compensation (Exodus 1:11). 

Similarly, many churches today operate like businesses, profiting off their members while claiming spiritual authority. Mega-church pastors live in luxury while struggling members are pressured to “sow seeds” in hopes of receiving blessings. The prosperity gospel exploits the poor, teaching that financial giving leads to divine rewards. 

Many of the departments in the Church actually mimicks business practices. 

Jesus never demanded money in exchange for miracles or favor. In fact, He rebuked religious leaders who exploited the people (Matthew 23:4, Mark 12:38-40). 

A biblical parallel is the story of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:18-22. Simon offered money to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, but Peter rebuked him sharply, saying: 

“May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” (Acts 8:20, NIV) 

Yet today, the gifts of God are being sold for profit. Pastors charge for conferences, books, and courses promising “How to Prophesy” or “How to Operate in Healing”—turning ministry into a business. At what point does service turn into exploitation?

Social & Political Control 

Religious institutions have long influenced laws, politics, and society, often dictating morality based on doctrine rather than personal faith. 

The Evangelical Influence on U.S. Politics 

In modern America, evangelical Christians wield enormous influence over national policies. This became evident with Donald Trump’s presidency, where over 80% of white evangelicals supported him—not necessarily for his moral character, but for his political alignment with their interests. Their primary goals included overturning Roe v. Wade, promoting religious freedom laws favoring Christian institutions, and securing conservative Supreme Court justices. 

However, this power has extended beyond legislation. The rise of Christian Nationalism seeks to position America as a Christian nation, pushing for laws that align more with church doctrine than democratic principles. Prayer in schools, state-endorsed religious programs, and policies favoring one faith over others all point to a dangerous fusion of church and state.  All of these are not inherently a bad thing. 

When the Church Became the State Religion 

The marriage of religion and government is nothing new. In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius I declared Christianity the official religion of Rome, leading to centuries of forced conversions, persecution of dissenters, and religiously enforced laws. 

History warns us what happens when faith is weaponized for control. The modern evangelical movement risks repeating this pattern—not seeking true spiritual revival, but political dominance. And what is political control but another form of slavery? 

The Self-Sustaining System 

The Israelites were enslaved for 400 years because the system of oppression outlived individual rulers. It was bigger than any one Pharaoh—it was self-sustaining. Similarly, the modern church system is not dependent on any one leader. It is upheld by tradition, structure, and institutional frameworks. It starts from the denomination leader, Lead and local pastors, Ministers, Ministry Leaders, Workers etc.

Many churches today could continue functioning without Christ, simply because they operate more like corporations than living faith communities.  It is a well oiled machine. 

Final Thoughts 

It is necessary to draw the similarities between what happened in the scriptures and what is going on today. The modern church has done much good, but it is not immune to human corruption and control. Christianity is not about fear, obligation, or blind obedience—it’s about love, grace, and freedom in Christ. 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” — Galatians 5:1 (NIV) 

We will not look into how God delivered the israelite. We are all familiar with the story. However, delivering Israel from Egypt was the easy part. The real challenge was getting Egypt out of Israel.

In the next part, we will explore how hard it was for Egypt to leave Israel.  Why was God never able to fully deliver Egypt out of Israel?"