The Ambiguity of Lincoln’s Faith: Being Spiritual Rather than Religious

• In Event: Scholar to Scholar II
  In Paper Session: Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial: Enduring Legacy for America

Abstract

Lincoln never formerly affiliated with a church and was rumored to be a non-believer in the “here-after.” Yet Lincoln’s extensive use of biblical references in his speeches, such as his “House Divided” speech, reveal an individual who had extensive knowledge and understanding of the bible. This paper will explore strategies of President Lincoln’s religious life as evidenced in his speeches with the focal point of examining how his faith contributed to his status as a mythic figure in civic religion as he worked to reestablish stability and equilibrium during one of the nation’s deepest traumas of war. Ironically, despite being a politician who did not talk about is personal faith, not a clergymen or theologian, Lincoln’s speeches and conversation revealed a spiritual dimension. Religious strategies Lincoln used in his conduct of the civil war are discussed.

Author

• Jim Towns, Stephen F. Austin State University