Quick Review: The Fiery Trial...

...Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery, by Eric Foner


This is a demanding book, not because it is obscure or badly written (far from it) but because of its specialist nature - ie it is following just one strand of Lincoln's life and thought, plus it assumes on the part of the reader a certain amount of working knowledge both of Lincoln and the Civil War.  I don't have much of either, but still found it a helpful book, despite having to go slowly and work some things out.

Probably the most memorable element it moves you from Lincoln as the 'president who abolished slavery' caricature, to see how his views developed over the years, the factors and priorities involved in this change, and the far from straightforward situation in which he found himself. 

If you have an interest in Lincoln, or in American slavery, you will get something from this book.  If you're looking for an overview of either Lincoln or slavery, then there are most likely much more accessible books available.

Piper: fear and trembling in attacking personal sin

The text that broke though my inconsistency was Philippians 2:12-13.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so
now, not only as in my presence but much more in my
absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and
to work for his good pleasure.

Why should there be "fear and trembling" as I attack my sin and bring about salvation from self-pity? The reason given in the text is not a threat. It's a gift. Work to kill your sin, and will to kill your sin, and do it with fear and trembling because God Almighty—Maker of heaven and earth, Redeemer, Justifier, Sustainer, Father, Lover—is so close to you that your working and willing is his working and willing. Tremble at this breathtaking thought. God Almighty is in you. God is the one in you willing. God is the one in you working. Your "continuous, sustained, strenuous" effort is not only being carried out in the presence of the all-holy God, but is the very continuous, sustained, strenuous effort of God himself. I am not waiting for a miracle. I am acting a miracle. God is the decisive cause, but my will is the agent. And it becomes the agent in obedience to the command "work!" For in your working, God is working.

CT