Barak Obama and Lincoln's Bible

I can't stop thinking about this topic and just sent out a Twitter tweet with this: "Wondering - B. Obama is going to swear on Lincoln's Bible - will he also be reading it and quoting from it in speeches as Lincoln did? #TCOT"

Barak Obama plans to take his oath of office on the same Bible with which Abraham Lincoln swore to defend the US constitution. I believe it is noble for anyone to aspire to follow Lincoln's footsteps, and if that is Obama's intention, it is good. Obama also purposely launched his campaign for the presidency from Springfield, Illinois as Lincoln did.

Question - is his just a symbol or will there be substance?

Here is the real issue: To follow Lincoln superficially and to take symbolic Lincoln-like steps is one thing. To be willing to drink the same cup that Lincoln drank is something else.

First of all, Lincoln was immersed in the words of that Bible he took the oath on. He quoted from it freely and often - in official speeches. He KNEW it and he knew what it meant.

Lincoln once said: “In regard to this Great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. ... But for it we could not know right from wrong..." (Abram Lincoln and the Bible site).

If what Lincoln said is true, then how CAN Mr. Obama know right from wrong - unless he also immerses himself in the words of that book?

Lincoln accepted the Bible as an absolute guide, not a mere symbol.

Will Mr. Obama accept the Bible as his guide?

Now what about that constitution he will swear to defend?

To many teachers of law these days, the constitution is only looked at as a general set of ideas coined in another era, to be interpreted by "modern" minds as they see fit.

Lincoln viewed the constitution also as an absolute guide, not as a symbol.

With trembling hands he led the nation into a huge civil war defending the simple fact that the states of this Union had pledged in that document to stay together. He faced huge criticism at home (both North and South) and abroad because of that firm hold. When tempted to waver from that conviction, he backed up his courage with a knowledge that the Bible itself demanded equity and righteousness from a nation.

Barak Obama will also pledge to defend the constitution of the United States by taking an oath on this book. He taught constitutional law. He knows what it says.

The question is whether he will accept what it says at face value and defend it as a document written and accepted by this nation as an absolute guide, not as a symbol.

Will he have the moral courage to do that? Will he be willing to pay the price? It cost Lincoln years of terrible toil and eventually his life. It cost our entire nation the deaths of over 800,000 soldiers and unbelievable suffering. But it straightened us out to become a nation of justice and equity such as this world had never seen.

Can we so remain?

There is a great difference between symbol and substance.