In James Byrd’s new book Holy Baptism of Fire and Blood from Oxford University Press he presents data from newspapers, sermons, books and other sources which identify the most cited Bible verses from sources in the North and the South during the Civil War. I am reproducing the Top Three verses in each region. The Confederate sources cite verses that dwell on acceptance of the hand of providence. The Top Three Union verses all deal with subjects related to slavery and freedom. Acts 17:26 says that all people are of one blood. Isaiah 58:6 demands that the oppressed go free. And Leviticus 25:10 says that “you shall proclaim liberty throughout all the land.”
Top Three Union Bible Verses
Acts 17:26 “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation…”
Isaiah 58:6 134 “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”
Leviticus 25:10 133 “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.”
Top Three Confederate Bible Verses
Job 1:21 63 “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Matthew 25:21, 25:23 48 “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Romans 8:28 41 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Note: Feature illustration is of First Baptist Church of New Orleans. The church’s minister was a widely publicized defender of slavery and the Confederacy.
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