Lincoln’s Bible
February 17, 2009 Bible No Comments
Lincoln Bible
The following facts about the Lincoln Bible are taken from the Library of Congress (www.loc.gov/today/pr/2008/08-236.html) in a news release. Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office on March 4, 1861 to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, then 84 years old. The Bible used to administer the oath was originally purchased by William Thomas Carroll, Clerk of the Supreme Court. The Lincoln’s family Bible had been packed with other belongings that were coming from Springfield, Illinois. The Bible is bound in burgundy velvet with a gold-washed white metal rim around the three outside edges of both covers. All its edges are heavily gilt. In the center of the top cover is a shield of gold wash over white metal with the words “Holy Bible” chased into it. The book is 15 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 4.5 cm deep when closed. The 1,280-page Bible was published in 1853 by the Oxford University Press. This Bible is a historic relic because of its use by Abraham Lincoln in his first inauguration. However, we must remember that it is much more than a relic. It is God’s Word! The Bible has lost respect among many today. They no longer view it as the inspired Word of God. Instead, many believe it is merely a work of men. The apostle Paul declares, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16-17). The words in the Bible are the words of God not men. These same words will judge us in the last day. Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Lincoln took the oath of office while holding his hand on the Bible. Why? Did he really believe it and desire to obey it? Did he really understand how wonderful it was and is? Was he dedicated to following God’s purposes in his life and willing to lead the country in God’s ways?
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama took the oath of office of the president of the United States using this same Bible. I can only wonder what the new president’s attitude is toward it. Is it just a relic to him? Or, is it the inspired, infallible Word of the living God? The success of his presidency will be determined by how well he measures up to the truths of this book–the Bible.