MLK Day
In honor of MLK Day here in the US, I'm wondering how folks here think that the life and work of Rev. Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. are instructive about the relationship of both the the individually generally and the clergyperson in particular to injustice in the world. What can we say is good and right about an individual recognizing and then acting against what he or she perceive as evil? What means are appropriate and effective for such action?
And, more specifically, when is it proper for a member of the clergy to specifically utilize the ideational and material resources of the Church to prosecute a social/political agenda? Is MLK's example one that demonstrate how the Church can be a good and proper agent of social and political change?
My personal viewpoint is that Rev. King is a particularly positive example of how what we would call the "prophetic" voice of the Hebrew scriptures -- combined with the social institution of the local congregation -- can be a powerful agent of positive social/political change. I would further submit that the life and work of MLK present a continuing challenge to the local Christian congregation to think in terms of what has not yet been "overcome" and to get about the business of overcoming it.
And, more specifically, when is it proper for a member of the clergy to specifically utilize the ideational and material resources of the Church to prosecute a social/political agenda? Is MLK's example one that demonstrate how the Church can be a good and proper agent of social and political change?
My personal viewpoint is that Rev. King is a particularly positive example of how what we would call the "prophetic" voice of the Hebrew scriptures -- combined with the social institution of the local congregation -- can be a powerful agent of positive social/political change. I would further submit that the life and work of MLK present a continuing challenge to the local Christian congregation to think in terms of what has not yet been "overcome" and to get about the business of overcoming it.