Changes in Christianity in the Late 19th Century

• Decline of the church's influence, especially among elites.
• The role of pastors and clergy saw reduced respect and authority.

The Bible's Authority

• The King James Version was historically viewed as accurate and authoritative.
• By the late 19th century, many elites began to question its absolute authority.
• Shift from viewing the Bible as inerrant to seeing it as less authoritative.

Societal Challenges

• Intellectual changes affected both theology and church authority.
• Prior to the Civil War, the church was central to American society and education.
• Post-Civil War changes led to a decline in the church's social dominance.

The Role of Major Events

• The Civil War marked a significant turning point influencing American society.
• Social crises (war, economy, disease) changed public confidence and perspectives.