As is the case with George Washington, another great American president (whose birth is also celebrated this month) there is considerable controversy about Lincoln's religious beliefs. Some argue he was a sort of deist, others that he was an orthodox Christian. What cannot be disputed is that Lincoln was deeply influenced by the Bible. This can be seen in at least two ways in Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.
First, the Second Inaugural Address is full of allusions to or quotations from the Bible. For example, in the speech, while discussing the issue of slavery, Lincoln questions how "any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces." The phrase "wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces" reflects language that appears in the King James translation of the Bible, in which God tells Adam that, as a result of his sin: "in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Genesis 3:17). Nevertheless, Lincoln warns his listeners, "let us judge not that we that we be not judged." This is a paraphrase of Jesus' warning in the celebrated Sermon on the Mount: "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (also from the King James Version). Lincoln continues by suggesting that the Civil War, which was drawing to a close at the time of his speech, was God's judgment on the United States for allowing the existence of slavery. It can be hoped that this "mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away," but even if it does not, "as was said three thousand years ago so still it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether'"--quoting Psalm 19:9. (A hat tip to Wikipedia for helping identify the sources of these passages).
Second, Lincoln's language in the Second Inaugural Address in some measure seems to reflect that of the Bible. One reason appears to be Lincoln's use of rhetorical devices also found in Scripture. For example, consider this passage from the address: "fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray." This use of two sentences in parallel structure reflects a device that commonly appears in the poetry of the Psalms, as in Psalm 100: "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs" (NIV). In addition, there is Lincoln's use of a striking metaphor--"all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk"--which is reminiscent of similarly striking metaphors in the writings of the Old Testament prophets. Another reason is Lincoln's use of somewhat archaic words from the King James translation of the Bible, such as bondsman (a slave) and scourge (a whip).
In short, it is unlikely that Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address would have proven so eloquent and memorable had he not been deeply influenced by the Bible. In this, Lincoln was hardly alone among his contemporaries. Nevertheless, he was nearly unique in his ability to use that familiarity with the Scripture in such a compelling way.
Image of Abraham Lincoln from Wikimedia Commons