There seems to be a spate of stories lately about public figures (including Kansas Senator Brownback) suffering from reporters'  lack of familiarity with scriptural  references and religious language.   See here and here.  These examples elicit a chuckle, but then one wonders if a master of the language such as Abraham Lincoln would even be understood today given his constant reference to Biblical idioms.  Inevitably, a sense of sadness follows the laugh.