This thesis is an examination of the place of the Bible in Abraham Lincoln's political career. Lincoln is one of the most celebrated historical figures of the past 200 years, and his speeches and writings are a major part of his legacy. Lincoln employed the text and message of the Bible more than any other American President. This research examines the entire contents of the Collected Works, in order to better understand his engagement with the Bible. Lincoln used the Bible with considerable skill, seeking to apply it to situations of national importance; he was unpredictably selective in his use of the Bible, but generally he chose material that would add what he considered to be the highest authority to his delivery. The issue of Lincoln and the Bible is usually consumed by the endless debate regarding the nature of his personal beliefs. This research concentrates upon his use of the Bible; the material he selected and the way that he used it are evaluated in the light of both earlier and recent scholarship. During the examination of Lincoln's unprecedented use of the Bible, understanding is sought of the question of essentiality. What role did the Bible play in Lincoln's career? Was it simply literary adornment of his compositions or something profound? This thesis will offer the suggestion that Lincoln's use of the Bible was an essential influence upon his illustrious career and legacy. This research has discovered new material that calls into question the claims of William Herndon, which have deflected historians away from the possibility that Lincoln's message, his view of the American Civil War and the Republic's destiny would have been different without his use of the Bible.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:608330 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Talbot, Derek W. |
| Publisher | Bangor University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/the-place-of-the-bible-in-abraham-lincolns-career(15b92267-ecd3-479a-b532-12d00503755b).html |
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