At the heart of Nat Turner's mission lies a profound and complex tension: the struggle to discern the will of God from one's personal desires. Within the narrative, Turner transitions from being a self-appointed minister to a self-proclaimed prophet, bearing the mantle of the Old Testament's God. Given the historical context of American slavery, it is hardly surprising that slaves would draw powerful parallels with the Israelites' bondage in Egypt. However, Turner curiously bypasses this direct comparison, opting instead to immerse himself in the narratives of Old Testament prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah. His focus gravitates towards themes of the Babylonian Captivity and the looming Apocalypse, steering his thoughts towards destruction and damnation instead of enlightenment and salvation.

This internal conflict leaves Turner in a state of profound ambiguity by the story's end: can he find redemption and forgiveness for his sins, which include the deaths of hundreds, or is he consigned to eternal damnation? The crux of his torment lies in the necessity to admit that his actions were self-directed if he hopes for divine forgiveness, an admission that would deny any divine mandate. The lawyer Gray underscores this dilemma, arguing that had divine sanction been present, Turner's insurrection would not have failed. The uprising's failure stands as an undeniable testament to God's absence in the enterprise. As Turner nears his execution, he is caught in a limbo of denial and attempted faith, unable to find solace in prayer or scripture. Meanwhile, Gray's atheistic perspective appears to overshadow and undermine Turner's once-fervent belief.

Adding another layer to this narrative is the critical issue of social action: how should a Christian confront the monstrous institution of slavery? Does divine will sanction violence against its perpetrators, or is there a more righteous path within the existing framework that offers a chance, however small, to dismantle it from within? The dilemma mirrors the duality of Jesus as both the righteous force driving out the money changers from the temple and the peaceful teacher delivering the Sermon on the Mount. Styron’s novel provocatively poses these questions but refrains from offering concrete answers, leaving the audience to ponder them long after the final page. Ultimately, Turner's fate is sealed with his execution, a stark reminder of the unresolved nature of his spiritual and moral quandaries.

A recurring theme in Styron's fiction is the individual's struggle against different types of systemic oppression, be it racial, cultural, or historical. This theme is reflected in various contexts such as military hierarchies, suburban life, black slavery, or Nazi oppression. Styron frequently juxtaposes the individual's identity with the tumultuous nature of history and existence. In "Nat Turner," he found the perfect embodiment of both victim and rebel, a character deeply connected to his own experiences with racism. Styron has always been fascinated by how the individual confronts and strives to overcome historical challenges.

Styron demonstrates how a system of slavery can debase and humiliate people. He carefully highlights that this system corrupts everyone it affects, whether they are white or black, master or slave, man or woman, preacher or slave-owner. Every aspect is contaminated by this system, including religion, sexuality, personal psychology, language, and individual perspective. Occasionally, the novel blurs the distinction between "genuine" racist insults and remarks altered by the system's influence on character, a topic that has prompted diverse responses from both black and white readers.