Martin

Civil Rights Leader. Nobel Prize Laureate. These are just two of the more common titles used to describe Dr. King. But they, like most others, fail to adequately describe the man. Certainly he was these, but more.

In reflecting on Dr. King’s life I find one thing which (to me) seems to far outshine any accolade or title that can (and has) been bestowed on the man: Minister. It was what he was and, more importantly, what he did.

In his speech against the war in Vietnam he stated “I am determined to take the Gospel seriously". It was a profound and revealing statement which gave us a brief glimpse into the core of this dynamic man. It was a statement of purpose, and a pronouncement of faith. “I am determined to take the Gospel seriously”. These words are powerful words. They are both a declaration and explanation: a declaration of faith in God and an explanation as to why he did what he did and how he did it. Like the Apostle Paul, following his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, I think Dr. King had no choice when it came to involving himself in matters of justice and equality, and peace. Having ‘seen the light’ he could not remain in the dark, silent and uninvolved. It’s not what men of faith do. But, unlike many Ministers of modern times (if, in fact, Ministers are really what they are), he did not preach to manipulate and sustain a political force, nor preach a gospel of self-enrichment. Instead, like a New Testament Apostle, he preached justice and mercy and grace, and love. And with a power and strength which could only have come ‘from on high’, and through submission, he, like the patriarch of old, also cried “Let my people go” to an oppressive and unjust force. With a boldness and courage no less evident than Daniel when faced with the lion’s den he stood and proclaimed the truth – the truth of the injustice and inequities which abounded, and the truth of the oppressive and dictatorial practices of his own government.

He is most often remembered for his “I have a Dream” speech – which is, of course, remarkable. However, it was his speech against the war in which his words were lifted far above national boundaries and race and economies to a universal level and beyond – a level above the control of governments and powers made by men. “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” required Dr. King to take the burdens of man to a realm where men ceased to be the ultimate power. “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” allowed Dr. King to take his concerns and burdens into the very ‘Holy of Holies’ and cry “Abba, Father”. His declaration, “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” also forced others to recognize that there exists a power, an authority, above that of man – or to reject that authority.

“I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” is a statement that demands a response; a response which requires more than a simple affirmation or consent to a creed. It demands a response by action and deed.

“Why call me Lord if you do not what I say?” Jesus once asked. It is a question which remains as valid today as then. And, requires more than a self-justifying belief which focuses more on what the believer receives than what the believer is required to give.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

It is, perhaps, impossible to define Dr. King in a word or a multitude of words. To me he is many things, but nothing he was exceeds that which he himself proclaimed to be: a man who “determined to take the Gospel seriously”.

Hear the speech here:
http://geekmetv2.blogspot.com/2008/01/live-stream.html