National Divison | The Civil War

The Civil War (1861-1865)
No event in American history has been more divisive than the Civil War.

April 12, 1861 – The American Civil War began with the southern bombardment of Fort Sumter
(a northern stronghold in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina)

All but two major Protestant denominations in the U.S. (Disciples of Christ and Congregational Churches) divided along northern-southern boundaries in the years leading up to the Civil War.

1866 – After the Civil War, Restoration Movement minister and leader, Moses Lard wrote,
“If now we have triumphantly come through this storm, and still gloriously stand an undivided people,
have we not reason to count with confidence in the future?
May we not boldly say, trusting in God to help us, we can never divide?”
Unfortunately, Lard was wrong and the Restoration Movement did divide many years later.

Issues of National and Church Division
Some of the issues associated with national division also contributed to the Restoration Movement’s division.

1. INTERPRETATION OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Two forms of interpretation:
– Strict Constructionism (Jeffersonians – South)
The government is prohibited from acting in any manner not expressly permitted by the Constitution.
– Loose Constructionism (Hamiltonians – North)
The government is permitted to act in any manner than is not prohibited by the Constitution.

These interpretive ideas influenced the way Americans read the Bible.

2. SLAVERY
The Restoration Movement had advocates of all views on the issue of slavery: Pro-Slavery,
Abolitionist (immediately end slavery), and Emancipationist (slowly end the institution of slavery).
The issue of slavery led to sectionalism (national divisions), including The American Christian Missionary Society proposed a “Loyalty Resolution” condemning those who separated from the Union (1861 & 1863).

3. SECTIONALISM
The U.S. divided into three basic areas, and these areas also influenced the Restoration Movement.
North – Promoted conservative theology, but liberal methodologies for advancing the gospel.
Political Leader: Daniel Webster
Restoration Movement Leader: Isaac Errett, editor of Christian Standard.​

South – Promoted conservative theology and conservative methodologies.
Political Leader: John C. Calhoun
Restoration Movement Leader: David Lipscomb, editor of ​Gospel Advocate​.

West – Eventually promoted liberal theology and liberal methodologies.
Political Leader: Henry Clay
Restoration Movement Leader: J. H. Garrison, editor of ​ChristianEvangelist.​