What motivated the founding of North Western Christian University (Butler University), and what principles did it uphold?

North Western Christian University, now known as Butler University, was founded by members of the Disciples of Christ, who were abolitionists. They aimed to create an educational environment free from the influence of slavery, reflecting their commitment to equality and Christian theology. This was a bold stance, considering the prevailing social norms and the hesitancy of some within their own religious movement.

What was Rev. Alexander Campbell's view on slavery within the Stone-Campbell Movement (Disciples of Christ), and how did it differ from the founders of North Western Christian University?

Alexander Campbell, a key leader in the Stone-Campbell Movement (Disciples of Christ), viewed slavery primarily as a political issue rather than a moral one. He prioritized maintaining Christian unity above all else, which led him to advocate for neutrality on the issue of slavery. This perspective contrasted sharply with the abolitionist views of the founders of North Western Christian University.

How did differing views on slavery impact religious organizations like the Disciples of Christ in the years leading up to the Civil War?

The contrasting views on slavery between figures like Alexander Campbell and the founders of North Western Christian University demonstrate the deep divisions within religious organizations during the lead-up to the Civil War. The establishment of Butler University, with its commitment to abolition, became a focal point for these ideological battles within the religious nonprofit sector.

In what ways did North Western Christian University's stance on abolition reflect Robert Payton's concept of philanthropy as 'moral discourse'?

Robert Payton described philanthropy as a form of 'moral discourse' that introduces ethical considerations into politics and the free market. North Western Christian University exemplified this by using its establishment and operation to promote its moral commitment to abolition. This stance sparked significant debate about the role of religious practice in civic life during the 19th century, highlighting the intersection of faith, ethics, and social activism.

How did the conflict between Alexander Campbell and Ovid Butler over abolition reveal the broader role of religious institutions in shaping political discourse before the Civil War?

The struggle between Ovid Butler, who advocated for abolition, and Alexander Campbell, who prioritized Christian unity, reflects a broader theological debate about the role of religion in addressing social issues. This disagreement led to the creation of Butler University, an institution committed to abolition, foreshadowing the larger national conflict. The clash demonstrates how religious institutions became battlegrounds for political ideologies, influencing the course of American history.

A Divided Church on the Eve of Civil War

Faith, Freedom, and the Civil War: How Religious Nonprofits Shaped the Debate on Slavery

Reese Marlowe in Culture & Society August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover the untold story of how Christian higher education and philanthropy became battlegrounds in the fight against slavery, revealing deep divisions and inspiring acts of courage."

In the tumultuous years leading up to the American Civil War, the issue of slavery ignited fierce debates within various institutions, including religious organizations. North Western Christian University, later known as Butler University, emerged as a focal point in this struggle. Founded by abolitionist members of the Disciples of Christ, also known as the “Christian Church" or the “Stone-Campbell Movement,” the university was established to promote education free from the stain of slavery.

However, this commitment clashed with the more moderate stance of the broader Disciples of Christ leadership. Emerging from American Presbyterianism during the Second Great Awakening, The Disciples of Christ sought Christian unity by abandoning denominationalism and sectarian creeds. Rev. Alexander Campbell, a key figure in the Stone-Campbell Movement, viewed slavery as a political rather than a moral issue, prioritizing Christian unity above all else.

This divergence in views led to a profound conflict, with Butler University’s founders advocating for abolition while Campbell and his followers sought to maintain neutrality. The religious nonprofit sector, therefore, became an arena where these competing ideologies battled over the theological, political, and social implications of slavery in America.

Christian Higher Education: A Battleground for Moral Values

A Divided Church on the Eve of Civil War

Robert Payton described philanthropy as a form of “moral discourse” that thrusts ethics between politics and the free market. North Western's decision to brazenly support the cause of abolition mired the Indianapolis school in one of the most impassioned debates about the role of religious practice in civic life in the nineteenth century. Rooting the school in principles of diversity and inclusion from its inception, the founders of North Western Christian University used the religious nonprofit sector and the establishment of the school itself to project their moral commitments.

On June 26, 1856, The Indianapolis Daily State Sentinel published a letter highlighting the controversy surrounding North Western Christian University's ex-officio President, Elder John Young, and his alignment with the abolitionist Republican party. The author questioned whether the Christian pulpit was becoming a shrine for politics and whether the university would become a refuge for abolitionism.

Founding Principles: North Western Christian University (now Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary) began operation “with a janitor, two professors, no president, and a mortgage.” Ovid Butler and other Disciples of Christ members founded the school with a firm commitment to equality rooted in Christian theology.
Early Advocacy: These founders believed in abolition and education without regard for gender or race, which were courageous ideals in antebellum America.
Denominational Hesitancy: The Disciples of Christ were initially hesitant to establish a college in Indiana because of the controversy surrounding slavery and the views of their patriarch, Rev. Alexander Campbell.

Campbell believed that Bethany College, which he established in Virginia (now West Virginia), was the best place for his followers to receive a university education. He saw slavery as a political issue and prioritized Christian unity, urging his followers to remain neutral. However, Butler's founders vehemently disagreed and sought to establish a university in Indiana with a distinctive commitment to abolition.

A Nation Divided: The Lasting Impact of Religious Discourse on Slavery

The establishment of Butler University amid the intense social tension reflected a theological debate about the role of religion in public life. Figures like Alexander Campbell and Ovid Butler held contrasting views on Christianity's role in addressing social issues. Ultimately, the clash between Butler and Campbell over abolition led to the creation of an educational institution that served as a prelude to the national conflict. Butler University’s commitment to abolition highlights how religious institutions became instruments of political warfare, foreshadowing the broader divisions that would engulf the nation.