Civil War as a Theological Crisis

The Civil War marked a significant shift in American religious thought, highlighting a divide among Northerners and Southerners who, while agreeing on the Bible's authority, interpreted its teachings on slavery differently. Noll also examines insights from foreign Protestants and Catholics, who recognized that reliance on personal scripture interpretation could lead to a theological crisis, as conflicting beliefs created public deadlock. This exploration reveals the complexities of faith and interpretation during a turbulent period in American history.