Was MLK Jr. a Christian?

Again, I read the entire letter several times. I studied the letter in High School (I suppose most my age have).

Is there any reason to assume MLK meant something different with the language he uses than his earlier explanation?


Like I said, he may have changed his beliefs. You certainly assume he did. But there is no evidence supporting your conclusions.

I hope he did, BTW. I like his view of Atonement.

But reading MLK post Crozer it does not appear that he has. He stil viewed Paul as referring to a spiritual as opposed to a bodily resurrection and leaves a bodily resurrectional optional.

I take it you just want MLK to be Christian despite evidence to the contrary. You call him a liar just wanting good grades, without evidence. You dismiss post Crozer writings others have mentioned.

If wishes were horses, huh. Well, I also wish he was Christian and would love to find he lied and is a believer.

 

I doubt MLK Jr lacked the character not to express his beliefs whike attending college.

I say this because MLK seemed to be a man of character. Also, there is no evidence Crozer would have graded him poorly for holding a different view (most theological colleges do not grade on indoctrination).

Also, to suggest MLK Jr had no choice but to attend Crozer. After his undergraduate work at Morehouse Colkege MLK chose Crozer BECAUSE of its unorthodox doctrine and liberal theology (See MLK's Autobiography, this is his words and documents published by his widow).

If we cannot accept MLK's own words about his beliefs, his own reasons for attending Crozer, his own explanations of his "gospel" and its purpose then we cannot call ourselves honest men.

That said, you prefer a myth to the man. I grant the importance of his work is preserved, but I don't understand why you desire to elevate a man.

I have a deep appreciation for MLK. Also Jefferson. And even more towards Gibran. But I am unwilling to cheapen our faith to include those men as I have no right to do so.

Like you, I appreciate fiction. But unlike you I prefer to keep my fiction separated from history. I don't even read historical fiction.

 

Another issue is @Van has created an elaborate fiction to support his myth.

He pretends MLK had no choice after completing his undergraduate work at Morehouse but to attend Crozer for his theological studies, and while there MLK just wrote what the school wanted to hear to get a good grade.

MLK claimed that he chose Crozer because of its unorthodox teaching and liberal theology. MLK said it was there that he studied in earnest and developed his social gospel.

The difference here is that MLK is really a hero of mine for his accomplishments, despite his flaws. I recognize he was not Christian, that he was unfaithful to his wife, that he made questionable alliances, etc. For @Van MLK is more of a comic book hero that never truly existed.

We can, of we dare, look at Christians of the past the same way. A W Tozer is one of my favorites. But he also neglected his family.

Why do Christians often elevate men to something they were not? I think this is natural (human nature) which testifies to the Word of God as the Hebrew heros of the faith were so flawed one had to see the hand of God rather than man in the work.

 

I think what @RighteousnessTemperance& is saying is that we should allow MLK's own explanation (e.g., of the "empty tomb") stand for what MLK meant (a "spiritual resurrection").

We all know how you would explain MLK's words. What we don't know is why your explanation should be believed and MLK's explanation dismissed when it comes to MLK's words.

 

You've got a be kidding.

I take it you have never attended a theological seminary or had to take a philosophy class.

Most theological colleges accept atheists. This doesn't mean they teach atheism, or that the atheist has to pretend to be Christian. They express and defend their beliefs and recieve a grade based on their paper, not their belief.

Most (if not all) seminaries (grad school) requires the student to hold Christian beliefs (they provide a questionare that is to be answered honestly, and typically references). BUT they do not grade on acceptance or expression of the Seminary's position.

 

Not true.

I characterize MLK's beliefs based on his statement of faith (and conclusions) from Crozer, his interactions with Crozer after he graduated, his letters published by his widow in 1998, his mentorship by Proctor, his work with Jones, and his papes published in his autobiography..

Upon what do you base your idea that MLK lied about his beliefs to get into Crozer and lied in his papers there to get a good grade?

 

Lol.....no.

The MLK holiday is based on his work as a civil rights leader. It should be a holiday.

But Christians need to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to any civil rights leader.

MLK explained his belief, stood upon his beliefs expressed at Crozer as the most important in terms of his social gospel (again, read his autobiography).

You worship MLK (dont get me wrong - not as a god). But your worship of the man has skewed your understanding of history.