Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey

By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, May 29, 2011

Sermon Text: Judges 20:24-28

Sermon Theme

This year we are observing the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the American Civil War. This was not only the greatest crisis in American history, it was also the greatest crisis in American Christianity. One of the most disturbing facts of history is that of warfare between Christians, Christians killing each other in the name of some ultimate principle or cause. This tragic situation has its roots in the Book of Judges, in the chaotic time in which “all the people did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Israel is compelled to go to war against their kinsfolk, the Benjaminites. The Benjaminites are guilty of “a criminal act” (Judges 20:3). The Israelites weep over this conflict with their own people. The parallels to the American Civil War are obvious. Charles Hodge, Princeton Seminary’s greatest theologian, was caught up in the crisis of this conflict. We can learn much from his struggle.

Sermon Outline

1. Conflict. At the beginning of 1861 the United States of America was deeply divided. The Presbyterian Church was also sharply divided. The church had actually split into two camps in 1837 over disputes that involved both doctrine and mission. Slavery was also a factor. By 1861 the issue of slavery had become predominant. Southern Christians, including Southern Presbyterians, maintained that the Bible permitted slavery, quoting texts such as “Servants, obey in all things your masters” (Colossians 3:22). Northern Christians generally saw slavery as an act of injustice opposed to God’s will (“Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me; and I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them,” Exodus 3:9). The situation was exacerbated by debates on the union of the country over against state’s rights. This had its corollary in the Presbyterian Church with actions of the General Assembly set over against the positions of presbyteries and congregations. Both sides believed they were right and that they were being faithful to Scripture. Charles Hodge sought to mediate in this conflict.
2. Confidence. Charles Hodge believed that the Bible gave infallible answers to life’s questions. He believed that humans could clearly discern what was true and what was false. He also maintained that the Scriptures were essentially reasonable. He insisted on the law of contradiction: two opposing things could not be true. Hodge was confident that the Scriptures provided clear direction on all moral and spiritual issues. If slavery were evil Paul would not have instructed slaves to obey their masters. If dictatorships were inherently wrong Jesus would never have said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s," Matthew 22:21). Hodge believed that a compromise was possible. Slavery was not explicitly condemned in Scripture. Yet oppression and injustice were. Therefore while slavery was not inherently sinful, mistreatment of slaves, as practiced in the south, was. Hodge believed that the failure to reach a compromise would result not in the succession of individual states but rather in a bloody conflict which would tear the union – and the church – apart. He believed at the beginning of 1861 that such a war could be avoided. Tragically he was wrong as he was forced to witness the spectacle of northern and southern students he had taught killing themselves on the battlefield.
3. Crisis. Hodge called the American Civil War a “nightmare.” He prayed equally for students who were fighting each other on the battle field. Like the Israelites in the time of the Judges he wept, pouring out his heart before the Lord (Judges 20:23). Charles Hodge was a child of his time. He believed people were reasonable in spite of their sin. He sought a compromise with the evils of slavery and racism. He himself had two slaves whom he sought to treat humanely according to Paul’s instructions in the letter to Philemon. In addition to Scripture he thought he could appeal to the reasonableness of human beings. He placed a high value on both the unity of the nation and of the church. From our perspective of a hundred and fifty years later his views can appear to be naïve. The tragedy of Charles Hodge is  that he never seemed to realize fully how we are all shaped by the time in which we live and how pervasive, even reasonable, sin can seem at times. Yet Hodge confronts us with the great example of a Christian who sought to be faithful to the Scriptures in a way that unified believers and non-believers alike. His hope for unity was exemplified in the presence of a Confederate soldier attending Princeton seminary while the war was still in progress. This event was the basis of the donation of Brown Hall. Hodge had unbounded confidence in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He himself could not change the course of history.  Yet he never doubted that the saving power of Jesus Christ could, and in fact does, change the world. There is much that we can learn from Hodge this Memorial Day.

Questions for Us

1. Why do you think Christians who have believed the same Bible have literally fought with each other throughout history?
2. In the debates leading up to the Civil War Charles Hodge seems to place the greatest emphasis on maintaining the unity of the country and the church.  Do you think he was right in this or not?
3. What lessons can we learn from Hodge’s struggles during the Civil War that can help us live more faithful lives in our time?