Walking with Lincoln: Spiritual Strength from America's Favorite President

by Thomas Freiling

Abraham Lincoln faced many serious challenges during his life. Yet he rose above it all--and his faith in God was the indispensible ingredient in his life's journey. Even generations later we can still learn from Lincoln's faith-filled principles to overcome our own challenges and to find our unique God-given destinies.

Walking with Lincoln offers readers fifty spiritual principles from the life and words of Lincoln, from his days as a youth to his presidency. Anyone looking for inspiration to rise above life's hardships will find encouragement and strength through this look at the faith of America's favorite president.

Genres: Devotional

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nancy Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several good insights and reminders, though I felt like the author ventured a bit into haggiography -- depicting Lincoln as more of an intentional Christ-follower than I suspect Lincoln would have declared. Would have preferred that he cited sources for anecdotes -- especially those resources he claimed were never before used. Still, many important reminders from a beloved leader.

[Keith Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Lincoln had many admirable character traits that parallel much of those taught by Scripture. Seeing those traits in our political leaders, today, would probably be such a shock that we wouldn't know what to think.

[Teresa M Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always have loved quoting Lincoln.

This well written book provides the context for the philosophy of Honest Abe. I can picture him being in Illinois’s Old Salem as he developed his direction and philosophy.

[Sybil Needham · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointing book.

Clearly Lincoln's walk with the Lord is a topic that deserves considerably more treatment than it has received. Hence the author is to be commended for addressing the issue. I was excited to see and read the piece. However, the work is highly disappointing and does little to fill this void in scholarship regarding Lincoln's life. For instance, rather than a biography it is essentially a loosely if not poorly compiled devotional that contains nothing more than disconnected snippets of the President. Moreover the book is highly misleading in several areas and contains numerous errors. Lincoln, for example, did not grow up in poverty. His family was relatively prosperous when compared with most neighbors. He lived in the nineteenth rather than the eighteenth century and his comments about his mother are ascribed by most historians to Sarah Bush Lincoln rather than Nancy Hanks Lincoln. He was inaugurated March 4, 1861, not in February. His actions toward Salmon P. Chase are not described accurately. The author frequently refers to the Kansas Nebraska Act but apparently does nor know what the Act did. He would be wiser to refer to Popular Sovereignty since that appears to be his intent. Perhaps if this piece was rewritten as a biography with an expert on Lincoln and nineteenth century America it would be worth reading. As it is I would not waste my time.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is organized into fifty very short chapters each illustrating one particular spiritual concept and how Lincoln exemplified that concept in his life. I was able to actually read this book because I could grab a few minutes here and there to read one of these short chapters without having to worry about losing the narrative flow. This book illustrates very clearly that the prevailing cultural current which wants to paint Lincoln as a non-religious man who did not oppose slavery is balderdash. There are a plethora of direct quotes from Lincoln as well as stories from his life that show how well he knew the Bible, how much he used the words of the Bible in his speeches and conversations, and how consistent of an effort he made in his life to apply the principles taught in the Bible.

[Bob Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed. I used each chapter as a part of my daily devotional — one chapter per day. Some of the chapters had clear biblical messages; others were more just good humanistic stories. It is clear in Freilings vignettes that Lincoln had a deep respect for the Bible and at the very least a bent toward Christianity, if not a whole-hearted commitment to Christ (without ever joining a church). The most impressive thing is that this was not a revisionist biography of Lincoln. Freiling went to early biographies of Lincoln. While the biographers could have been biased by an unwillingness to write negative narratives, they weren't biased by the trend in the last 40 years to look for the worst in historical figures and to interpret their actions from an anti-hero perspective.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love Abraham Lincoln. I love this book. I'm not quite done but I love Lincoln for being such an amazing believer in Christ and standing up for what he believed in, for calling on the nation to pray, to give thanks and to acknowledge the Almighty's hand in everything good. There are few men out there today willing to stand as strong as he for what they truly believe in. Wouldn't it be grand to bring back such honorable men to the world, to the government today.

[Sharon Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has 50 short chapters. Each one starts with a quote from Lincoln, then a narrative related to that quote, and ends with a related Bible verse. It is a combination of ethics, history, and devotion. A subject-matter table of contents is included for reference and targeted reading. Highly recommended.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to change your perspective...whatever your current perspective is...it will change when you read this book. I have bought several more copies...friends and family, guess what you are getting for Christmas?

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We should all live like this

We should all live like this

always been a fan of Lincoln and knew that he was very religious, but had very little indication of how much it guided his presidency

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have ever read about a President; or it could be just the best President and was a great subject. Whether you or a historian or not, please read it. I think Lincoln and Washington were our best Presidents along with JFK.

[Jeffrey]

This book ties Lincoln's moral base clearly to Christian teaching as espoused in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. Easy read, well written.

[Kevin Spear]

Short read, yet full of wisdom from the 16th president. Lot's of quotes and examples how he overcame adversity and became one of our greatest leaders.

[Elizabeth Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chapter for each week (more or less), with a quote from Lincoln, paired with a Bible passage or related story. Thought provoking and inspirational, as a good devotional should be.

[ericAgrimes-vo · Rating 5 out of 5]

great devotional book

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good look at President Lincoln's Spiritual side

With all the responsibilities Lincoln had and the griefs he endured, this book which is well researched and uses many quotes by those that knew him is well worth reading as it shows us what truly made this extraordinary man!