The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 18, May 4, 2008, Article 11

MORE ON "THOU ART THE MAN"

Carl Honore writes: "The Item on the 'Thou Art the Man' medal
is right on (or 'write' on if you appreciate puns.)

"In one sense, theologically David was deserving of nothing
but death.  Psalm 51 serves as a continuation for the II
Samuel narrative.  Though he deserved death, God was merciful
to him, and granted him his life.

"In other words, God was in complete control of David's fate.
David himself controlled his failings, God controlled everything
else.  In a sense, the same thing could be said of Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln knew he was unworthy of the office of President,
yet God gave him the wherewithal to do the best job in the
office that he could.  Like David, Lincoln failed many times
(although, of curse, not as drastically as David did viz Uriah,
and Bathsheba).  The point is, that no matter our failings,
our faith in God's ability to grant mercy is a powerful concept.

"The contrast is that David pled for mercy for his own life,
and Lincoln prayed not only for sustenance for the armies
under his own command, but also for his enemies as well.

"The point I think the medalist was making is that we are all
deserving of nothing but death, and Lincoln knew that.  Like
David, Lincoln in a powerful position knew that he was still
only a man.  I am not sure how strong his theological background
was from a Christian standpoint, but he certainly was aware of
the power of prayer."

 MORE ON "THOU ART THE MAN"
 esylum_v11n17a07.html

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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