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Reflections on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
As is my tradition on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I spend time reading King's Letter from Birmingham Jail and reflecting on the work and impact of Dr. King.
King was a great man who achieved so much in his own lifetime and even more after his untimely death. His following Jesus in his sacrifice and desire for justice is a challenging example. The reason and logic that King uses in the Letter from Birmingham Jail is persuasive and convincing. In this letter written to clergymen that opposed his direct action he demonstrates his understanding of his relationship to the Creator.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to turning the tide in American culture. His life was dedicated to bringing society to realize the intrinsic value in every human being. 50 years ago, American culture began to change to recognize that African Americans were valuable because of who they are.
Once again I am reminded of the need for this understanding of the value of human life in our society. Not any form of utilitarian value but rather value because of who we are as those created in the image of God. To state it more simply, we are valuable not for what we do, where we live, what we have, how much others care about us or how independent we are but rather we are valuable because of who we are.
As we face a culture in America that has turned away from believing in the intrinsic value of all members of the human family, will we be willing to face difficulty as we oppose those who would pass and enforce laws that devalue defenseless members of the human family. I pray that I would be strengthened and count the costs in this culture war.
I have to admit, that is the first time I have read his letter. I have caught little pieces here and there.
I would have to say that not to much writing these days can come close to matching the inspiration of the gospels, but this comes close. Reading it gives you the distinctly uncomfortable, yet soothing feeling of the holy spirit just using his pen like a mighty sword, wielding it against unjustice.
I wish the race relations of today was not so political. We need to continue this dialogue and continue to learn our lessons from segregation...there is no justification for what America did.
Posted by: Carl Holmes | January 17, 2006 06:29 AM
Carl,
I feel the same way about this letter. King is able to draw from the scriptures like few people can do today. He writes compelling the leaders of his day to action and justifying his own.
This was a man who understood the Text, understood his times, and acted accordingly.
I agree with your sentiments about race relations. I wish they weren't so political. Fortunately we can love our neighbor despite what the politics may be. And who is our neighbor? I would contend everyone from the unborn to the elderly great-grandmother... Everyone from the handicapped child to the olympic athlete... regardless of the shade of skin, national origin, or any other factor. We are all members of the human family and we should love our neighbor as Jesus showed us (John 15:12-17).
Posted by: B.A. | January 17, 2006 07:21 AM
AMEN and totally agreed.
Posted by: Carl Holmes | January 17, 2006 12:23 PM
I would agree that the human race has value, but the value is not intrinsic so much as extrinsic. We are valuable not in and of ourselves, but rather because we bear the image of God. It was right for MLK to stand up for the rights of black Americans. They no less than I have been created to bear God's image. However, it is God's image that is valuable and not the human--we are but dust, but the glory which we are to manifest is priceless.
That said, I must also admit at being puzzled: why is an adulterous, Liberal Christian like MLK being applauded here? True, the fight he fought was necessary, but the fact remains--his "gospel" was warped by his political views of egalitarianism. The views he subscribed to regarding the nature of the Gospel stem not from historic views of justification, but rather from the early 20th century's liberalism.
He is no hero. His lack of faithfulness to his wife also would exclude him from biblically bearing the title "Reverend"--adultery is irreverent and not to be counted among God's people...
Curious.
-James H
Posted by: James H | April 29, 2006 09:46 AM