Columbia professor, Andrew Delbanco, has memorably said, “Before the Civil War people believed in the providence of God.  After the war, they believed in luck.”

Ambrose Bierce is best known for his satirical work, The Devil’s Dictionary.  He experienced the brutal fighting at the Battle of Shiloh.

Allen Guelzo in his fine new book, Fateful Lightning, mentions a soldier who was “shot in the head but still alive.”  Guelzo proceeds to add the graphic and oft quoted observation Bierce supplied of the scene.  Here is just a bit:

“…taking in his breath in convulsive, rattling snorts, and blowing it out in sputters of froth which crawled creamily down his cheeks…”

There is a lot of reality to process when it comes to horrific events like the Civil War.  As Christians, we need to be ready to offer thoughtful, compassionate, and honest reflections to life’s most vexing issues.