The Civil War As A Theological Crisis Summary
Kaitlyn Triplett
BLS 365-01
Dr, Matthew McKinnon
9 April 2023
The Civil War as a Theological Crisis Historians often argue that the political and social tensions that existed between Northerners and Southerners and the connection to the legalization of slavery are commonly referred to as the fundamental conflicts that provoked the American Civil War. However, in Mark Noll’s book The Civil War as a Theological Crisis, he examines how the differing religious thought surrounding God’s approval or rejection of slavery created more tensions, division, and was a major landmark shift in American religious thought. In the text, Noll examines differing perspectives of what the Bible has to say about slavery. Furthermore, Noll’s captivating work argues
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Within this chapter, Noll successfully argues how the Civil War constituted a theological crisis. While many people relied on the Bible to determine their individual morals and how society should be structured, the effects of having no recognized authority “greater than the individual interpretation of Scripture for the purposes of understanding the Scriptures” (29) and the multitude of perspectives about slavery was detrimental to Protestant’s …show more content…
In his examination of the Biblical defense of slavery, Noll claims that many of the proslavery arguments were successful due to their simplest and the literal account the Bible was regarded in. For example, the first proslavery argument Noll examines is Thomas Thompson’s. Thomas Thompson utilized a quote from Leviticus 25:45-46a: “Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen forever” (33). Additionally, Thompson also used the example of Paul instructing the escaped slave, Onesimus, to return to his owner. Overall, Thompson’s message was direct: How could genuine Christians condemn slavery as an evil practice, when the Bible sanctioned the practice? Noll also lists popular Scriptures used to defend slavery within this chapter (34) as well as the moderate arguments including
Theme Of Christianity In Frederick Douglass
197 Words | 1 PagesThroughout the “Narrative of Fredrick Douglass”, Douglass develops an image between true and false Christianity. Douglass elaborates his point in the opening appendix, calling the former “the Christianity of Christ” and the latter “the Christianity of this land.” Douglass describes the ordeal that slaveholders’ Christianity is not a given evidence of natural goodness, but an artificial state of self-righteous brutality. To tackle this distinction, Douglass states a basic contradiction between the charitable, peaceful beliefs of Christianity and the violence from the immoral actions of slaveholders. The character that is described as a good example for this theme is Thomas Auld.
Summary Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
559 Words | 3 PagesLincoln states, “If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to
Pros And Cons Of Windrow Wilson
1245 Words | 5 PagesNot Many people knew that Mr. Brown was a man god. Some textbooks claims that “John believed that God had called on him to fight slavery” (Loewen, 1995 , p.180). But in reality “He thought deeply about the moral meaning of Christianity and decided that slavery was incompatible with it ‘’ (Loewen, 1995, p.181) . The Gettysburg Address is one of the most important speeches ever given in America. Five books do not even mention the speech, while five others provide only the last sentence or phrase of it” (Loewen, 1995, p.186) .
The Great Question Answered Chapter Summary
1710 Words | 7 PagesJames Sloan’s book The Great Question Answered presents an abhorrent perspective of the institution of slavery within 19th-century American society. Throughout the book, themes of authority, classification, and essentialism give rise to how Sloan attempts to protect this damaging societal construction that breeds hatred and distrust. This narrative pushes forward a Christian view that gives light to several perspectives that come to the defense of slavery; using the Christian religion as his primary tool. By projecting his values, Sloan can exploit absent authorities to defend the institution of slavery, perpetuating White supremacist ideals through a Christian perspective.
How Does Jefferson's Appeal To The Public
641 Words | 3 PagesGrimké’s Appeal to the Christian Women of the South is very effective in discrediting the notion that the Bible supports slavery. She highlights seven points that she feels are used to justify slavery and makes a case against each of them. In addition to refuting the Biblical reasoning for slavery, Grimké outlines her own personal four-step program. She challenges the reader to “Read then on the subject of slavery,” “Pray over this subject,” “Speak on this subject,” and “Act on this subject” (Grimké 772-774). Grimké explains each of the steps in detail and encourages research outside of the Bible, while mixing in verses from it to support her
The Civil War As A Theological Crisis By Mark Noll
796 Words | 4 PagesMany Americans believe the divine wisdom and devoted to Gods holy word; as it provides purpose and give stability to their lives. In Mark Noll’s book entitled The Civil War as a Theological Crisis, the religious leaders of that time leading up to the Civil War were unable to provide answers to some of the most difficult question of that era; does the Bible condone or does the Bible condemn slavery? Americans were at odds over the understanding of God’s divine word as both Northern and Southerners tried to find meaning on this war and what Gods role was in it. How could either side claim to have the support of God through his word for their position? Clashes over the interpretation of the Bible on slavery were matched during the era of the Civil
Benjamin Banneker's Declaration Of Independence
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How Did Frederick Douglass Contribute To Freedom
1356 Words | 6 PagesWith the belief that African Americans were inferior and needed this “fatherly” guidance by their white masters, slavery was justified. Because of these skewed views and following what they believed was God’s will, slaves were under the complete control and authority of their owners. There were also beliefs that Africans were savages, and that messages of the Bible that were believed to support slavery would control the sinful, barbaric African Americans; they would be transformed into obedient people. Slavery was argued to be the Christian way of life, and it was wrong to argue or call slavery anti-Christian and contradict its teachings.
Fredrick Douglass 'Second Great Awakening'
555 Words | 3 PagesAuld’s misinterpretation of the passage emphasizes slave owners use of religion to reinforce their power over their slaves. Christianity rationalized the concept of buying and selling human beings, and that God approved this too. In addition, Douglass used religion as a way to fuel his abolition movement. Under Master Hugh’s, Douglass began to learn how to read and write. Once
Frederick Douglass Impact On Religion
985 Words | 4 PagesMathew DeWinters Paper #2 Fredrick Douglass The Narrative Life of Fredrick Douglass shows many occasions were slavery and religion collides between a master and a salve. Douglass demonstrates the way religion and the bible have had negative impacts on slavery as well as development of Christianity. Douglass has betrayed some very harsh criticism for the slave owners that betrayed to be Christian that he came into contact with over the course of his life. Douglass tells his readers that he believes people cant be Christian and be a slaveholder, he tells the readers that by doing this they are acting as hypocrites.
Great Awakening Rationalism
1141 Words | 5 PagesEvangelical preachers, in keeping with their social doctrine that targeted the disadvantaged in society, attempted to convert slaves and Native Americans. Prior to the Awakening no one had made a serious effort at their conversion for fear that Christianity was “a step towards freedom” (357). Slaves attended evangelical sermons en masse, wary of the Anglican ministers who supported their masters. Evangelical Christianity offered moments of release and equality from the perpetual suffering of a slave’s life. This did not mean, however, that the evangelists actively opposed slavery.
Sex And The Scared After Brown By Jane Dailey Analysis
1796 Words | 8 PagesIt is here that Dailey makes her point that we as Americans overlook religion in history as being “archaic” and not of bold importance to modern American history. This statement can be one of monumental implications. The importance of consignation in the civil rights movement, which as Dailey described time and time again was tied to religious beliefs at the foundation of the struggle, could parallel many other historical events where religious thought is overlook as a motive or point of structure. Ultimately, it is of this readers analysis, that Dailey is showing us an example of how the dogma of religion and history should be embraced so as to get accurate representation of a time and
Frederick Douglass Hypocrisy Essay
1049 Words | 5 PagesIt is a common argument for Christian slaveholders to make “…that God cursed Ham, and therefore American slavery is right…” (5). this argument exposes their hypocrisy as it conveys how they attempt to stretch small pieces of scripture to justify the violence of the American slavery. Douglass thus asks if it is humane to use a small piece of writing to damn an entire race to hardship and subhuman treatment. This case of blasphemy is amplified by the observation that Douglass makes of one of his slave masters, Mr. Covey, in that “he seemed to think himself equal to deceiving the almighty” (61).
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1080 Words | 5 PagesThe slaveholders stated that slavery should not be abolished because it is described in the Bible
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927 Words | 4 PagesReligion and its relationship to slavery is a contradictive subject, whether it was forced upon slaves or was a form of hope and freedom is still commonly debated about to this day. However, these individuals were devoted Christians in the abolitionist movement who all
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