Gods and Generals

Gods and Generals

Gods and Generals is an historical novel by Jeff Shaara about the first few years of the Civil War. One particular passage in the book is quite compelling. Some time after the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) where General Thomas Jackson is given the name “Stonewall Jackson” one of his aides is asking him how he could remain so serene during the battle. Jackson’s reply was he faith taught him to know he was as safe lying in bed as when he was doing his duty – he entrusted his life into the Hands of God. As a military officer Jackson’s life verse was:
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed,
we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven,
not built by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Throughout the book one is impressed with the deep faith of men like Generals Lee & Jackson of Virginia as well as Joshua Chamberlain of Maine.

How is it that with people of such faith they were drawn to resolve their difference through war? Remember the magnitude of the Civil War war. In our present war we learn of a few casualties on a daily basis:
In three days at Gettysburg there were twenty-three thousand casualties;
In two days at Shiloh, a battle that proved nothing, there were twenty-three thousand casualties;
In ONE DAY at Antietam there were twenty-four thousand casualties.
In just three battles over six days more than seventy thousand casualties.

I do realize that looking back at circumstances is all together different than living in our present circumstance. Even so, I am convinced that our only hope to not repeat the mistakes of the past is living the life in Christ.

It seems to me that the faith of the Generals was centered on the sovereignty of God. I agree that God is sovereign over all. However, the Apostle Paul says that it is at the name of Jesus that every knee will bend and every tongue will confess that He is Lord, to the glory of the Father. Paul said that “. . . in him (Christ) we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

I believe that a passion to live the Life in Christ will lead us to rightly order our lives to live to know Christ; to come to Him to celebrate His glory (not just to make our life better;) to trust His provision; to expect to become like Jesus; and to always affirm Thy will be done.

Selah,
Alex