Today I read President Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address and was totally fascinated. Of particular interest was his third paragraph in which Honest Abe asked some of the same questions I have often pondered. Namely: 1. How can a follower of Christ justify the bondage of another human..or can he? 2. Why would God potentially allow such carnage (over 600,000 dead in 4 years) between men who for the most part claim to follow the same God?
The easy answer and the one Abe seems to take is that the war is God's judgment against both the North and South for the injustice of slavery. I dont know why God did not clearly say "thou shall not" in regards to holding another man in bondage. Jesus says all who sin are slaves. I know he is referring to a different type of bondage than the one fought over on battlefields, but in a round about way this may shed light on a dark chapter of American History. What do you think?
9 comments:
Very interesting, Curt. I am not yet understanding how you are putting two and two together... the civil war and the bondage of sin...maybe if I read Lincoln's address, I will understand more, as I want to.
You are a thinker, Curt. That's a quality about you that makes you a cool friend. :) Jay and I are blessed to be a part of you and your family's life.
LNF
Ok, now that I have read Lincoln's second inaugural address (thanks for putting the link in there, by the way), I can understand what you are saying. I had never thought of it before as the Civil war being God's judgement on the North and the South. Just like in Bible times when God's people wouldn't listen, He gave them up to their own sins. So it was during the Civil War. When we refuse to listen to our Father, He'll do what it takes to bring us back to Him...it makes my heart tremble to think about our nation now and the Lord's impending judgement. He is Sovereign!
Thanks, Curt, for the blog. Got me thinking...
LNF
I'm not going to ruffle any feathers on your very civil blog here, but I think your argument is a bit of a stretch. I also think it may be worthy to note that Lincoln wasn't even a Christian. We can talk more about it offline, I'd be interested to hear more of your thoughts.
And what news of the baby?
Always with love,
snibs.
Shannon,
Thank You, yes He is sovereign and He is Good.
Snibbs,
Interesting point about Lincoln's faith. He may not have been a Christian but this address certainly shares a Christian perspective in that
'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether'
I will stand by the fact that War (all war) is the effect of sin.
If we (I) would only heed Christ's command to love our (my) neighbor as ourself (myself)!
Andrew is good, his is on his first roadtrip to Tampa. We are looking to come to CT in a couple weeks, I will keep you posted.
to me, the civil war is just one more item that makes me think that this life may actually be hell.
BTM,
This cant be hell, we have Blue Bell Ice Cream, Thanks for the comment.
hey curt,
here are those links regarding slavery and how that relates to our relationship with Jesus the Christ (2 30 minute videos from John MacArther:
http://www.lightsource.com/oneplace/grace_to_you/20080120/
http://www.lightsource.com/oneplace/grace_to_you/20080127/
Also, regarding whether the war was a judgment the only we could say that is it could be, and we can only say that cause we don't know for sure since we don't have any "Thus says the Lord..." on this particular issue.
Soli Deo Gloria!
jason d
Awesome thoughts Curt! I often think that we have just forgotten what was done to African Americans for over 200 years of slavery. Many whites choose not to hear blacks talk anymore about the subject of slavery or lynching, but it is deep within our culture. It is Dark and I think America, as theologian James Cone talks about, needs to start a conversation and reconciliation about race. It is black history month, I think we should take time and pray for those who still suffer from the effects of slavery and ask God to forgive us for being an evil people.
In this second inagural speech, President Lincoln quoted Jesus in Matthew 18:7 - "Woe to the world because of the the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
As I read his speech, I am reminded to examine the depths of my heart before my Creator and take responsibility for my own sin.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
-Psalm 139: 23-24
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