Do you think Abraham Lincoln was right in his comments on the Bible?

Question

“In regards to this great Book (the Bible), I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and
hereafter, are found portrayed in it.”
Abraham Lincoln

Why, or why not?

Answer 1

Absolutely.



The Bible is God's revelation of His Nature and Will.



"All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this Book."



God is that Saviour. And the Saviour is God.



Isaiah called God the Saviour.



Isa 45:15 -- Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.



Our Saviour said,



Jn 10:30 -- I and my Father are one.



And I believe Abraham truly believed in that Saviour as well. I have no doubt that he did doubt at times however. He was just a man. He no doubt was discouraged by the apathy of professors of religion around him. We are surrounded by the same sense of apathy today.



I'm praying that our nation will return to those values.



2 Chron 7:14 -- If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Answer 2

Was there a question here, or are you just trying to provide an education. If the latter, then I don't grasp why you posted this as a question. I'm not going to bother to take this apart. The facts are accurate. I'd just like to point out a couple things: 1. Overseas travel is far quicker, easier, and safer today, so W. not traveling extensively is far different than Lincoln not traveling. 2. It's much easier and safer to call for racial tolerance after the Civil Rights movement than it was when we still had legal slavery. 3. Many of our presidents have been physically fit. You looking for the manliest, check out Teddy Roosevelt and Andrew Jackson. Even Gerald Ford was a good football player. Sports leadership is frequently an early sign of leadership potential. Now, if you were look at MY similarities with Lincoln. I've voted Republican most of my adult life, although lately, I'm looking at independents because I can't tell the difference between R & D anymore. I grew up in the South. I've barely left the country. I'm all for racial and religious tolerance. I was a Varsity Track & Field and Cross Country athlete. There's no way I would get the majority of the popular vote and if by some weird chance I got elected president, I think you'll find that I, like pretty much every president, would choose skilled and experienced people for their cabinet. So, by your argument, I'm just about as similar to Lincoln as Bush. Now, why pray tell, did we go through this exercise? :-)

Answer 3

I agree with the majority of Abe's statement except for the Bible being the best gift God has given to man. I think the best gift God gave man was His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

Yes, I believe he was right in his comments about the Bible. I only wish President Obama and others would take this more to heart; while honoring Abraham Lincoln as a great president. (We know where Lincoln got his inspiration for greatness)

Answer 5

I agree with the statement here regardless of the other statements that were also made by him.He knows right now though whether the truth of the Bible held fast! At his death,according to what he believed at the time is either in heaven or hell.We can't judge whether this man was a christian or not,but we who are believers know of the importance of the Bible.

Answer 6

Yes, of course! He was a true Christian who believed in the word of God as it is!



II Timothy

15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Answer 7

You are being very selective with you Lincoln quotations. Google Positive Atheism's Big List of Quotations by and about Abraham Lincoln.



You will find, among many quotations:

The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my profession.



My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures have been clearer and stronger with advancing years and I see no reason for thinking that I shall ever change.



His attitude towards the practise of the Christian faith he saw around him was sceptical, he recognized a great deal of humbug in the religiosity of his political rivals. But I don't think that he was insincere when he spoke about the "things desirable for man's welfare" Like most of us, he could find some positive values in the Bible, but he was not making a whole hearted endorsement of Christianity. And of course, as a politician, he felt it advisable to say what he could honestly say to avoid the appearance of running totally contrary to the beliefs of most of his constituents. Lincoln's attitude towards Christianity was far too nuanced to be readily understood by believers.

Answer 8

The bible is made by PEOPLE. Not all of it is going to be right. This is what people don't get. Plus its not even the original bible its a english translation. You should focus on the ten commandments and golden rule to follow by. Let the bible bring Inspiration not laws.

Answer 9

Yes, there is no doubt that the Bible in both parts the old testaments and new testaments has guidance and also there is the word of God in them, as described in the Quran.



But, also the Quran says that the word of man has been added to describe events and stories such as the Jewish history and the life of peoples and individuals that was not meant to be in there.



For example if you want to see what Jesus had to say you check the Red Letterred Bible, then you will see how little he said.



But compared to Islam we have avoided this confusion completely

the pure word of God is in the Quran (Recitation)

the Prophets said GOD said is in what is known as Hadith-Qudsi (Holy Sayings)

the Prophet said or did is in the Hadith (Sayings)

what people tell about the history of the events surrounding before, during and after when the prophet lived is called Seera (Biographies or Stories)

Answer 10

i disagree, based on a verse in the bible itself, romans 2:14,15 "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)"



even according to the bible, there are people who know right from wrong, as defined by "god's law"



there are many other points, but this suffices

Answer 11

to respond first to the first person who answered you- The Bible does not condone slavery. There was slavery when the bible was written- and it tells how the slave owners were to treat their slaves- which by the way was in a good way. Did this person also notice that God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt? Now to answer your question- I absolutely agree with Lincoln's quote, because the Bible does lead us to the Savior. And once saved, how to live a life that pleases God, that will ultimately give us blessings.

Answer 12

"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma."



- Abraham Lincoln, American president (1809-1865).

Answer 13

I like this Lincoln quote better:

"My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures, have become clearer and stronger with advancing years and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them."

Answer 14

Definitely because the truth is in there, It is Gods word. It is one of the weapons of our warefare.

Answer 15

Actually, in the entire history of Abe Lincolns campaign... That was the ONLY line he ever mentioned about religion. He was completely into separation of church and state.



Meh looks like that web article was wrong yet again.

Answer 16

Not as right as when Jefferson said this



"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."

Answer 17

I disagree. There is beautiful stuff in Bible, yes, but also depraved ancient laws which are used to torture and murder people. I know right from wrong - writers of OT didn´t.

Answer 18

I prefer this quote:-



"The Bible is not my book and Christianity is not my religion. I could never give assent to the long complicated statements of Christian dogma.”

~ Abraham Lincoln



or perhaps:-



"When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion."

~ Abraham Lincoln

Answer 19

Perhaps he was just pandering to Christians. Lincoln also said this:



"The Bible is not my Book and Christianity is not my religion.

I could never give assent to the long complicated statements

of Christian dogma."

Answer 20

No. I don't believe that our sense of morality comes exclusively from a religious text.

Answer 21

only right to those that believe in the concept of a deity

Answer 22

abosulty, we learn from the bible, the stories are amazing.

and its so beauitful, because we could have a simalair experience to all the other people in the bible, and if you need help and guidence pray to god, read the bible.



its amazing.

Answer 23

That man was NOT A CHRISTIAN !

He was not against Slavery, that is an Historic lie.

Just because he accepted the greatness of God's WORD

does not change what he was. He was a Tyrant and a Dictator akin to Stalin or Hitler !



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Answer 24

He is exactly right.

Answer 25

Funny, the man against slavery likes a book that justifies slavery.