A La Carte (2/12)

  • Tim Challies
  • 02/12/08
  • 3
Tuesday February 12, 2008 Lincoln and Divine Providence
John Piper points to an excellent article in WORLD magazine describing Abraham Lincoln's path to embracing divine providence.
Music Awash in Booze and Drugs
"Their report on Monday showed a third of the songs had explicit references to substance abuse. And two-thirds of these references placed drugs, alcohol and tobacco in a positive light by associating them with sex, partying and humor."
Seven Tough Questions to Ask your Friends
Stephen Altrogge has some questions to ask your [good] friends.
Another Review
Nauvoo Pastor reviews my book.
An Interview with Daniel Wallace
Justin Taylor has an interview with Daniel Wallace. Wallace describes a particularly bizarre period in his life!

Comments (3)

1
Anonymous's picture
a comment from Marge S. • 02/12 @ 3:10pm

I read the article in WORLD, and noticed the stark absence of any reference to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ on the part of Lincoln, other than that a pastor "helped him go through 'a process of crystallization,' which Gurley described as a conversion to Christ." (A process of crystallization???) Belief in "Divine Providence" does not a Christian make, and I'm concerned that this is the message being communicated through both the article and John Piper's comments. I know that they don't believe that, but it just bothers me that Lincoln is being portrayed as a believer, when there really is no evidence of that, as far as I'm aware.

2
Anonymous's picture
a comment from David Teh • 02/13 @ 10:49am

On Prof Wallace, from whom I have learnt a lot through emails, here's a glimpse of that period from another angle:

http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1546

3
Anonymous's picture
a comment from Ken • 02/13 @ 2:59pm

There is a lot of difficulty in trying to discern precisely what Lincoln's religious beliefs were in his final years. Allen Guelzo's book "Redeemer President" probably does the best job attempting to sort it all out. From my own reading, it seems clear that Lincoln went through a period of skepticism, even infidelity, as a young adult, but that enduring the crucible of the Civil War refined much of his thought. We don't really know where he was spiritually when he was killed. At the end of the day we are left with hope but not much hard evidence that he found his way to saving faith.