In God’s Presence: The Bible and Faith in the Civil War Era Seminar

During this presentation, Dr. Noll will discuss the significance of the Bible in the American ethos prior to the Civil War as well as American Protestants’ “commonsense” interpreting of Scripture. Within this topic, Noll will also identify religion as the most important factor at work in pre-Civil War America and the theological and personal crises that occurred from different readings of “America’s Book” in the decades prior to the War.
Dr. Noll is a leading scholar on the history of Christianity in the United States. He recently retired as the Francis A. McAnaney Profesor of History at the University of Notre Dame, having previously served as Professor of History and Theological Studies at Wheaton College.
Dr. Noll is also the author of more than thirty books on the subject of religion including The Civil War as a Theological Crisis; In the Beginning Was the Word: the Bible in American Public Lie, 1492-1783, and America’s Book: The Rise and Decline of a Bible Civilization, 1794-1911.
Religion is what makes Soldiers Brave
2:30pm | Presented by: Reverend Robert Miller
Reverend Miller’s program explores why religions and faith are the most ignored topic in Civil War studies. Within that topic, he will introduce the “religious professionals” who “made God present” during the Civil War through religious revivals, services in camp, Bible study, and countless other works. Reverend Miller will also consider the response of soldiers to this work.
Rev. Robert Miller is a retired pastor and frequent speaker on religion in the Civil War. He served as President of the Chicago Civil War Round Table and is the author of Both Prayed to the Same God, and the forthcoming Faith of the Fathers – Catholic Civil War Chaplains.