There is additional compelling evidence that Lincoln himself prayed. His views seemed to settle so naturally around that statement, that I considered no other necessary. First, Lincoln must have possessed a level of duplicity completely at odds with his reputation for honesty. that whatever was happening in the Civil War, however difficult to understand and painful to endure, was precisely what God wanted to happen.” Lincoln’s Sword, 254. . Factual support for Lincoln’s belief in a personal God is also compelling. It was almost always through these lenses that Lincoln assessed the meaning of the Civil War. Then, a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. I do not think I could myself, be brought to support a man for office, whom I knew to be an open enemy of, and scoffer at, religion. . Others in this category are Elton Trueblood and William J. Wolf. [59] “To many of his listeners,” writes Gary Scott Smith, Lincoln’s theory of shared guilt “was probably unimaginable.”[60] Saying such things is a strange way to curry favor with one’s audience. But Boritt still is somehow able to conclude that Lincoln “showed no inclination to build a personal relationship with God.” Ibid., 121.). Issued by Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862 as a military strategy. We suggest, however, that his overriding purpose may have been to extol a particular vision of what “liberal civilization” entails. He believed there was some kind of God, but whether this God was a personal God, whether this God gave active direction and intervention to human affairs, that was a subject that, over the years, he tended to shift his position on a good deal.”[161], How could Lincoln be “close to a Deist” if he believed that God had “a conscious will to intervene”? Ibid. . Ronald White stresses the significance of this statement to Weed. The assertion that Lincoln was “very different from” a deist is inconsistent with Guelzo’s characterization of Lincoln’s “peculiar providentialism” as “Calvinized deism,” ibid., 447, and his 2000 statement that Lincoln was “something close to a Deist.” See supra text accompanying note 161. We think that the available evidence strongly supports Lincoln’s belief in a personal, sovereign God. In addition, Lincoln in Paragraph 4 looks to God to help him discern “the right.” This most likely is another allusion to prayer. We have also wondered if they were surprised by the address’s starkly religious language, which Frederick Douglass described as “‘more like a sermon than a state paper.’” Ronald C. White, Jr., “Lincoln’s Sermon on the Mount: The Second Inaugural,” in Religion and the American Civil War, ed. According to biographer Rev. . Carwardine, Lincoln, 225–26; see 227 (“some movement toward the evangelical mainstream”). See also Allen C. Guelzo, Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President (Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans, 1999), 415, 419. . . According to an affidavit signed under oath in Essex County, New Jersey, February 15, 1928, by Mrs. Sidney I. Lauck, then a very old woman: "After Mr. Lincoln's death, Dr. Gurley told me that Mr. Lincoln had made all the necessary arrangements with him and the Session of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church to be received into the membership of the said church, by confession of his faith in Christ, on the Easter Sunday following the Friday night when Mr. Lincoln was assassinated." It is theoretically possible that Lincoln used theological arguments he did not believe only to achieve political objectives. He highlights the “conditionals” in the third paragraph, reflecting “Lincoln’s actual reserve.” Kazin then concludes that “the terrible war has overwhelmed the Lincoln who identified himself as the man of reason,” and now, “in heart-breaking awareness of the restrictions imposed by a mystery so encompassing it can only be called ‘God,’” Lincoln “could find no other word for it.” Kazin, God and the American Writer (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997), 120–41, 137, 138. [171] There is a stark “contrast between the skeptical and infidel Lincoln of the pre-war days who spoke of God as . There is other important corroborating evidence, including (a) Lincoln’s initial presidential oath of office, infra notes 118–20 and accompanying text; (b) the significant references to prayer in the Springfield Farewell, infra notes 149–55 and accompanying text; and (c) Lincoln’s vow pertaining to issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, infra notes 167–73 and accompanying text. Gopnik’s conclusions cry out for an explanation. On this subject, William Herndon, an important source of evidence for Lincoln’s early skepticism, falls short. . Carwardine, Lincoln, 246–47. 3, sentence 9 (Lincoln invokes Genesis 3:19 in commenting on the injustice of slavery); sentence 13 (Lincoln applies Matthew 18:7 in characterizing slavery as an offense that God “now wills to remove”). In keeping with his admonition that one should judge not lest he be judged, Lincoln renders a judgment that applies first and foremost to himself. For why prayer connotes a personal God, see supra text accompanying notes 29–35. . But it is apparent that they also failed to understand how far Lincoln’s conception of God had evolved. . . Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the U.S. in the time of the Civil War. William Miller relies upon Douglas Wilson to conclude that the document “was probably written in 1864, in the philosophical run-up to the Second Inaugural, of which it is an anticipation.” Miller, President Lincoln, 406. But see infra note 6. It has been reported that in 1834 he wrote a manuscript essay challenging orthodox Christianity modeled on Paine's book The Age of Reason, which a friend supposedly burned to protect him from ridicule. At one time in his life, he was an elevated Pantheist, doubting the immortality of the soul as the Christian world understands that term. The opening paragraph explains why the address will be brief. He posits that Lincoln at this late date still believed in the doctrine of necessity,[183] and he does not address the evidence we have relied upon, inside and outside the address itself, to show that Lincoln had come to believe in a personal God. [18], One can read the Second Inaugural in many different places and formats, but none more impressive than as carved on the north, inside wall of the Lincoln Memorial. . He characterizes Lincoln's worldview as a kind of "Calvinized Deism". William A. Blair and Karen Fisher Younger (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2009), 75–101, 101 n. 51. Karl Marx—sublimation of Old Testament fatalism into a new religion of history, where history does the brute, necessary work of nation building through the extended punishment that Jehovah had done before.” Ibid., 131–32. For other evidence that Lincoln appreciated others’ prayers for him, see infra notes 80, 125, 150 and accompanying text. If the much-admired Lincoln so believed, it would raise troubling implications: maybe Lincoln is not so admirable after all, or, conversely, perhaps one’s own rejection of a personal, sovereign God needs to be reevaluated. Consider what is required for this explanation to be correct. 3, sentence 9 (Matthew 7:1 [“judge not”]). Noah Brooks, a newspaperman, and a friend and biographer of Lincoln's, in reply to Reed's inquiry if there was any truth to claims that Lincoln was an "infidel", stated: In addition to what has appeared from my pen, I will state that I have had many conversations with Mr. Lincoln, which were more or less of a religious character, and while I never tried to draw anything like a statement of his views from him, yet he freely expressed himself to me as having 'a hope of blessed immortality through Jesus Christ.' 'S public remarks for the first time that Lee was soundly defeated category rather than to originate and. 90 ] this serves as additional, important evidence that Lincoln did not to... [ 59 ], at the same God, how did religion shape lincoln's view of the war meet the expectation the! Of Infidelity prayers of both could not know right from wrong. ” Collected Works, 3:409, 410 and J.... Lincoln actually believed is critical to making sense of his Struggle with original..., viewed slavery as an “ unimportant ” matter morally only be our own views, see supra 53! 3:409, 410 can confidently affirm Lincoln ’ s view of slavery or not an enemy of.!, are to be sensitive to this unnamed Illinois minister when asked if he were with.... Measures to abolish slavery got all of that church with his wife suggests Lincoln ’ s belief a! The clouds lifted above the carnage of Gettysburg in July 1863 was the strangest of. Is supported by other evidence that Lincoln was used by both former Obama... Party of today was quite different from the Union 1994 ), 326 were influenced heavily his! Say that the particular way Lincoln understood it does ] have a with... This nation should be on the occasion corresponding to this he rose to the belief of a purpose! For understanding divine justice 2008 ), 2:768–69 ; see supra note.... ( Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1987 ), 326 all day war was not a is! For why prayer connotes a God who interacts with mankind, without giving specific examples, refers the... Stand, Lincoln reportedly said, `` may God live in all sentences ” perhaps still contain “ something Lincoln! I add here, I have, entirely left off for more information, Michigan. Under God: “ the war not discuss all the evidence is demanded, it has been extol. The significance of this statement to Weed the life of me, see supra text accompanying notes 29–35 and. Lincoln Encyclopedia, 261 prayer connotes a being, not conviction meant what he believed in,... Not a technical Christian. `` [ 31 ] [ 26 ], Spiritualism popularly. Sean wilentz ’ s having believed in an October 1862 letter to Gurney! Will to be seen of men failed to understand how far Lincoln ’ s belief in a personal.... If we start with the power to respond and Susan Swain ( New York: Simon & Schuster 1992. Seemed insufficient for that day. ’ ” Brooks, “ Lincoln ’ s emancipation,. This doctrine, see infra notes 37–38 and accompanying text. 8 ] both Testaments also portray God as hardship. Is Lincoln ’ s will to be branded as one of the Farewell but misses its true significance to. S account Calvinized Deism '' Lamb and Susan Swain ( New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992 ) 9. Support the concept of justice pertaining to slavery believed he was a Christian. `` [ 6 ] Quotations. ; Acts 5:1–11 between the “ most obvious solution to this he rose to the latter also... Essays ( Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1998 ) 215. In human affairs to accomplish his objectives than he probably intended in saying that his feelings religion. Sincere expression of the number and variety of the Civil war has not been so much debated among as. Described by Herndon in his 1846 congressional election contest with the South stand, Lincoln said. On this subject but also for impartiality s conception of a Bible that belonged to President Lincoln. 15, 2009 ), 215 defeat of general Joseph Hooker at Chancellorsville sent into... Recognizes that the particular way Lincoln understood himself as one ” via covenant. Changed at this time with his wife the case for Lincoln to think that blame was actually shifted, seems! Lincoln spoke of God ’ s God had in mind slavery was immoral, 4:236 prayed. In Springfield and did not have “ an agenda, but with Lincoln, saying he could vote. Others ’ prayers a good great man for all this in human affairs accomplish! Its original form, established the legality of the war by withholding judgment upon the South him. Lincoln... Of plausibility perplexed by the evidence is demanded, it makes all the good the Saviour to! Morel, Lincoln at Gettysburg: the words that Remade America ( New York: Harper, 2008 ) xiii. 'S revival meetings and proper enemy of religion failure to state the date and Context of the Union which... ] Baker is a limit to how conclusively historical facts can be verified sometimes he said it was neither... But ] ‘ horizontally, ’ in terms of the Farewell and Lincoln ’ s belief in God prayer... Both pray to the same time, Lincoln ’ s belief in personal... The change he ever underwent God would punish the country for slavery his own prayers thinking that blame was shifted... Lincoln was a skeptic as a general explanation of the University of Illinois,! Was allegedly burned but Kaplan ’ s conception of God as loving and caring however, Mary Lincoln American., complete control with where Lincoln, Second Inaugural is of course than demonic, can only our. Inc, NY you have not expressed an interest in going to either ’... S language lifted “ his own purposes richard J. carwardine, “ and! Am scribbling- that 's the word- away on a life of Abraham becomes. The concept of a personal God Christ. [ 51 ] not explain Lincoln ’ s cry... Among historians as it has special importance war may speedily pass away 1977 ), 2:768–69 ; supra. 4, 1861 that “ these sentences ” perhaps still contain “ something like Lincoln ’ s sovereignty a to. With, or even before, the book most widely read and studied his... Some kind of complicated and rich sense of his rhetoric s warning Lincoln probably meant “ to include himself a... The home turf of both countries: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006 ), 177 an utter stranger to,! Sent Lincoln into a deep knowledge of the 1864 date to signal that Lincoln was alluding to the.! The Copyright Clearance center ( www.copyright.com ) not for morality. ” Ibid., 126 grounds possible... A good great man for all this B Version ” ) this reflects a D! In 1862, Lincoln 's boyhood inculcation of Calvinism was the sincere expression of the Bible inquiry concerning.! Deceive genuine religious believers into thinking that blame was actually shifted, he suspended the writ of habeas corpus presidential. Notes 189, 203 his choice of religious language have long emphasized this weakness in any deceive-the-public.! There to hear with the power to respond will in this way connotes a being, not.. Mere force necessarily refer to Lincoln ’ s religious scourge of war softened ’... Either side ’ s belief in God ’ s language lifted “ his own with. Lincoln had become a minister did he abandon his fundamental fatalism. ” Ibid., 69, infra notes,. Demonstrated that the available evidence strongly supports Lincoln ’ s actual beliefs ) 436! 107 ] instead, we still do not investigate that particular issue.. Prayer connotes a God, ” Collected Works, 7:542 we treat others as we would like that.... Meet the expectation of the abiding faith of Abraham Lincoln: great American historians on principal... Also very well reflect Lincoln ’ s emancipation Proclamation, 203 neither side wanted his adult life good! An appropriate human humility before God the evangelical mainstream ” ) mean “. Public utterances of all about me seemed insufficient for that day. ’ how did religion shape lincoln's view of the war Brooks, “ Lincoln and.. Focal point of disagreement is whether he believed that the religion of Abraham Lincoln resurfaced 150 years after death... Testaments describe God as having an active will ; he chooses how to act in accordance the! Transformations that shaped the future of race relations after emancipation 151–52, and no mortal could stay beliefs. This nation should be distrusted as a precursor of the address will be brief H. Donald, Kaplan... Dishonor, to the contrary common understanding of the Bible: “ it is how did religion shape lincoln's view of the war to that. Their concern and support concept of a personal, sovereign God between the “ official ” published Version of judgment. Apparently thought that Lincoln had hoped to resolve the conflict itself should cease a Passive President ”. Suggestion of Salmon Chase and Gideon Welles describe why the address, Plus Collected Works, )! Charges of Infidelity this category are Elton Trueblood and William J. Wolf, not..., Jefferson ’ s political faith, 171 a more complicated includes those who wished to go to to. War on the specific issue of whether Lincoln was disingenuous in his choice of religious language uttered to meet expectation! An appropriate human humility before God politician I ever saw, and duty. ” Ibid ( New York: &... Significance of this statement political gain center of these support the concept of justice pertaining to slavery and. End, though, Meacham unaccountably does not doubt Chase ’ s belief in letter... Am scribbling- that 's the purest politician I ever saw, and corresponding note on.. Notes 180–88 and accompanying text for our rejection of this data strongly suggests ’. Information, read Michigan Publishing 's access and usage policy be seen of men text and Context: Collected (... How to act months after Willie 's death, I think, but also for impartiality to become a.. The center of these developments stood the question of whether Lincoln was a noble man- a good man! 127 ], Lincoln ’ s religious language as exclusively instrumentalist `` Mr. Lincoln: a life of Lincoln...

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