(AP) -- CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - In the city where the Civil War began, pastors from both black and white churches gather this week to discuss the concept of Christian slavery.

White theologian John MacArthur leads the conference organized by a black pastor expected to attract 150 ministers.

MacArthur is pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. MacArthur writes in a recent book that in the New Testament, the Greek word doulos is usually translated as servant. But in Greek it means slave.

He says the servant interpretation was used by Bible editors in 16th century and after because of the stigma of slavery.

MacArthur says the return to the word slavery has wide and freeing implications for Christians who often see themselves as being owned by Christ.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)