Gospel Prism

I am currently reading Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War, a book (one of many right now) by Charles Bracelon Flood. And I’ll be honest with you, I can’t put it down. Ok, I am a Civil War buff/nerd. One of my dreams would be to participate in one of those Civil War re-enactments (perhaps the first Asian to do this). There is something about the drama of this era that is fascinating to me. It was a war where brothers fought against each other. There were the most horrific of battles and yet, during the calm, both sides might come together for some coffee and cigars and then go back to the trenches to kill each other. The Confederacy believed in an abomination (slavery) and yet they were often more chivalrous and gracious than the North. And then, some astounding theologians of American history such as R. L. Dabney, who was a Southern Presbyterian who cogently argued for a Reformed theology, while at the same time attempting to defend slavery. These are the many paradoxes of the American Civil War.

This book is no exception. What I really enjoy about the story is the fact that these two amazing generals were relatively ordinary men. Grant not only was a generally simple man, he dressed that way too. He rarely wore full uniform dress and sometimes regulars couldn’t tell the difference between him and the private. Sherman was different, coming from a more prestigious stock. He had many connections, such as his brother Senator John Sherman, famous for his Sherman anti-trust law still in use today to regulate corporate monopolies. BUt despite their rise to power, it is amazing to see how they did so amidst the swirling political whirlpools that surrounded them.

I find their characters fascinating and what strikes me most is the humility and mercy they show to their enemies. This is even more true of Abraham Lincoln (I plan on reading an Abe Lincoln bio and a William Wilberforce bio as my next leisure reads). Humility and self-effacement really leaves an indelible mark throughout history. It creates a lasting imprint in people’s minds. And that is what is notable for me in this book (alongside with the many interesting battles and intricacies of war).

If men who do not know the Lord can be so humble, how much more I need to remind myself of my Lord’s humility. Their humility still had self-centeredness at the core. You can see that especially as they write letters to their wives. Even though Grant and Sherman were humble outwardly, there was still this pride that was hidden deep beneath, shown only to their wives. But in Christ, our boasting is in Christ alone and as Philippians 2 shows us, there will be the greatest of victories in such humility.