This is another fascinating book by Mark Noll, taken from a series of lectures he delivered in 2003. The Civil War, I learned, was perhaps the most "Christian" war ever fought because both sides were deeply Christian (Protestant, specifically) and grounded their arguments about slavery (and to some extent about secession) on their readings of the Bible. Pastors and politicians on both sides denounced the other side in strong terms for their abandonment of Christian morality.

Especially in areas where slavery was common, preachers rebuked abolitionists as rejecting Biblical authority and careful Biblical interpretation. Slaveholders did have an argument that seemed more straightforward, as the Bible discusses slavery at many points and regulates the way in which it should be practiced, but never forbids the practice. Proof-texting from passages like Old Testament slavery laws, household codes, and the book of Philemon were received as powerful arguments, especially for those who benefited from the service of slaves and who had to change their lifestyle and culture to adapt to the emancipation of those men and women. Abolitionists, on the other hand, had to form more nuanced arguments from general biblical principles and the overall character of God and teaching of Christ that the inherent dignity, equality, and freedom in Christ of all people negates the option for one person to hold another as property.

Noll also offers unique discussions of how the Civil War was viewed by the international community and how the issue of racism and slavery were so conflated that is was difficult for most to see that both issues were at play. And there's a transcript of a great speech by Jonathan Blanchard, big supporter of abolition and founder of Wheaton College~ ( )

I need to admit that I must have finished this book about in Jan, 2015 and am just now (Aug, 2015) reviewing it.

In any, case this is a great read for understanding how America could have gotten themselves in a civil war with both sides claiming the Christian faith and justifying their position from the Bible. The author considers the viewpoints of various Protestant denominations, the Catholic, and even Mormons; he also considers the opinions of Canadians and Europeans regarding the American Civil War.

Noll's purpose is to "show why clashes over the meaning of the Bible and the workings of providence...revealed a significant theological crisis" (p.6).

This book will actually astonish you at how literally explosive our hold on religious opinion can be, to such an extent as to actually - against the Biblical admonition to love your neighbor" - justify war against one's neighbor.

I would also suggest, "Upon the Altar of the Nation: A Moral History of the Civil War" by Harry S. Stout and "Predestination: The American career of a Contentious Doctrine" by Peter J. Thuesen. ( )

Interesting enough, but it was either 150 pages too long or 150 pages too short. The gist of it is this: the Civil War was a theological crisis because the US's religious freedom allowed anyone to interpret the Bible in any manner they wished. If I can explain that in one sentence, then I don't need 200 pages. There were lost of examples of how different people used the Bible to reinforce their position regarding slavery, but we already knew that, didn't we? ( )

Comprehensive and exhaustive review and analysis of theological views about slavery before and during the Civil War. ( )