Baptists and the American Civil War: July 5, 1862

Confederate States MapAt times, war and religion mix uneasily in the South.

Many Southern Baptists publicly and repeatedly frame the war as a holy conflict in which the Confederacy is God’s kingdom on earth, destined to prevail over the evil North. Yet others–sometimes the same individuals–lament that the war has brought about a lack of interest in church matters. The following editorial, originally published in Virginia Baptists’ Religious Herald, offers the latter perspective, charging that the war has “turned the thoughts of the people from the salvation of their souls” to more earthly concerns:

….This error is rife among Southern Christians. With thousands, thought and feeling are concentrated on war, to the neglect of souls. Zion languishes, and few grieve over her waste places as they should. We are free to say that this demoralization of our churches afflicts us more than all the demoralization of our armies. There is greater guilt in it and greater folly. Let us note the evil of it.

1. It aggravates the present distress.–Much of the excitement and alarm are premature and groundless, and the divine truth which would serve to allay them–to allay them even when timely and necessary, is to a great extent, overlooked, and not brought to bear on the mind of communities and households.

2. It serves no good purpose. It does not diminish danger, or conduce to security. There is not even a shadow of military strength in it.

3. It dishonors the religion of Jesus.–Does that religion leave us without support in times of trouble? Has it no anchor when storm is on the waters–no light when darkness shrouds the earth–no promise, no power, no peace, when war afflicts the land?–Are the labors it requires of us worthy to attract out hearts and occupy our hands, only when the interests of the present life are prosperous?

4. It offends God. If He be angry with us and has sent war as His scourge, can we hope that his danger will not be greatly incensed by forgetfulness of His Word, by neglect of His service, by distrust of His providence and grace? If what concerns the safety of our persons and possessions is suffered to usurp the place due to Him and to His cause, He will smite the idol until it is broken in pieces and He sits again without rival on the bosom-throne….

Will Southern white Christians’ alleged lack of interest in the salvation of individuals thwart God’s grand designs for his Southern Confederacy? Or will God punish his disobedient children until they are worthy of His Kingdom?

These questions and others lead to much public soul-searching on the part of some Baptists.

Source: “Too Much Thought About the War,” Biblical Recorder, July 2, 1862 (link)