Signs: Abraham Lincoln's Inaugural Bible
Why do we take the oath of office with a hand on the Bible?
One side-story this week was the Bible Obama used for his oath: the same one as used by Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The Library of Congress blog tells that book’s story—which is interesting enough, but the tradition itself seems theologically suspect to me.
I’m really not sure. Does the hand-on-Bible practice honor or dishonor scripture? I’d love your insight. Specifically:
- What is the religious thinking behind the tradition—in its origins?
- The use of Lincoln’s inaugural bible: how does this change the oath Obama took?
[photo credit: Library of Congress]
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As for the idea of placing your hand on a Bible when taking an oath. It seems a little bit superstitious to me if the oath taker thought that the oath means more because they were touching some paper and ink. However, if they use it as a way to remind themselves of their God, I see it as a good and healthy practice.
In regards to the Bible, I half wonder if the use of Lincoln's bible actually reduces the spiritual weight of the moment: focus is removed from the scripture and redirected to Lincoln.