Teaching and Learning America’s Christian History : American Revolution Bicentennial Edition

Scottish-born Dr. Peter Marshall inmmigrated to America in 1927. During the next twenty-two years, before his untimely death in 1949 at the age of forty-six, he became one of the nation’s most famous preachers, pastor of Washington, D.C’s historic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. His wife, author Catherine Marshall, wrote his best-selling biography, “A Man Called Peter”, which was subsequently made into the much-heralded 1955 movie.

“The Wartime Seromons of Dr.Peter Marshall” includes many of his most sought-after messages delivered during World War II. Today, as we continue to face a war against global terrorism during the aftermath of September 11, 2001, these wartime sermons, preached more than fifty years ago, have never been more timely, appropriate, or desperately needed. This dynamic book of sermons and prayers should be kept nearby during these challenging times.

William Herdon, Lincoln’s law partner for about 18 years, said of him: “As to Mr. Lincoln’s religious views, he was, in short, an infidel….Mr. Lincoln told me a thousand time that he did not believe the Bible was the revelation of God as the Christian world contends.” One biographer records of Lincoln that “when he went to church, he went to mock and came away a mimic.”

Yet, Rev. James Smith, the pastor of the church in Springfield where Lincoln attended for over 10 years, gives a much different picture. He writes: “It is a very easy matter to prove that while I was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Mr. Lincoln did avow his belief in the divine authority and inspiration of the Scriptures.” His pastor while he was President, Dr. Gurley wrote: “I considered him sound not only on the truth of the Christian religion but on all its fundamental doctrines and teaching.”

Which of these views is right? Why the contrary views? These questions and more are answered in Abraham Lincoln’s Faith.