TIME TO GET QUIET

    We are living through one of the most remarkable periods of life in our generation. You can look at the positive side or negative side - either way change is coming. Too many people are voicing their displeasure with this time of transition we are going through, First, we can certainly see that our nation(s) is filled with governmental turmoil because of the shift. However, what is disturbing is the Body of Christ's response to it. Have we forgotten: (1)  I Timothy 2:1-3 "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority— so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity?" Or (2) II Peter 2:9-10 "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations  - those who walk according to the flesh-  and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil off dignities." Or have we forgotten (3) Exodus 22:28 "You shall not revile God, nor CURSE A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE." Its That plain and simple.

Here are promises that the scripture promises that when we pray for those in authority "we will live a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (I Tim. 2:3)  Exodus 14:14 " The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 That we should study to be quiet.  Lamentations 3:26 says, "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Amos 5:13 says, "Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time." Isaiah 30:15 For thus said the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. But, you would not.  There are consequences when we speak against those in authority.

Romans 13:1-2 states, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." The most important thing for all believers to remember is that God has set up the type of government over us that we need and/or deserve.  Our job is not to speak evil of those appointed or elected but to pray for them.  Do we believe that God can still change the hearts of those in authority over us? Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Just remember God is God and we're not. Nor, have we been chosen to be in authority beyond what God has appointed us to do. So, instead of railing against authority we need to sit down and be quiet.  We need to listen, hear, and discern what the voice of the Lord is saying - as our thoughts are aligned with the "Word Of God."  God does nothing contrary to scripture. Do we still trust God to align the nation(s) with his purpose for them?

Even if we disagree with the direction our government is going - Prayer can and will change things. This does not exempt us from participating in our own democratic republic whether what party we choose to identify with or   non-affiliation. But, the concern I have is that there are those in the body of Christ who will say unkind things, demean, and even defile others because someone may have a different view than we share.  Aligning ourselves with the above scriptures is a command for those who name Jesus as their savior. Acts 23:4-5 gives us an example that we need to note. "But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!” “Brothers,” Paul replied, “ I was not awarethat he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘ Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” I think these words from the Apostle Paul make it clear how we should handle ourselves in regards to rulers.  To engage in insulting a leader is not acceptable. Paul also understood which party he belonged to. We can disagree with laws and administrative policies implemented by our government - and we can work to change them. However, we need to refrain from being divisive and playing into any media likewise that chooses to sow seeds of offense .

In my own personal view, I believe that God is calling the Body of Christ to take this time to settle down, be quiet and listen, learn, converse, and discern together what the Lord is doing to advance his work of transformation in our own lives, our faith communities, and culture. However, let me be clear, none of us have anything to say if we have not addressed our own personal transformation. Community transformation can only happen when personal transformation happens first. This begins by aligning ourselves with what God says in his word and bringing our self-life to death. Ephesians 4:22-24 says it best: "Put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

The Attempted Overthrow Of The United States Of America

Over the last few years, I have been writing a few articles about the fact that the United States Of America is a democratic republic.  It is a unique form of government that was developed by Algernon Sidney, a member of the British parliament during the 17th century, and given to us by William Penn in the founding of Pennsylvania. Originally, this form of government was developed to replace the British government and monarchy during the period just after the beheading of Charles I. Algernon Sidney was a republican political theorist, whose writings were considered radical. He became an American hero and inspiration for the American Revolution in 1776.  He was executed in 1683 for treason against King Charles II. His political writing was used as "evidence" against him but became the foundation of our form of government known today as the Democratic Republic. 

        As I have stated in past blogs, in early November 2016, just before the election of President Trump, God spoke to me that Hillary Clinton would not become the president of the US, since she would have handed over our national sovereignty to the globalist. The Lord then spoke to me something I was completely unaware of, during the time, that He was placing Donald Trump into the presidency of the United States to protect our democratic republic. I didn't even understand these words until I began reading the "Discourses Of Government" written by Algernon Sidney. That night, the Lord explained to me that He had given us this form of government to protect his church and advance his kingdom through the nations because His work was almost extinguished because of the civil wars of Europe.  I had no knowledge of this history either even though I am a lover of history. However, I have shared and pointed out that our democratic republic was under threat because our form of government and constitution is a disruptor to other forms of government for those craving power. This is why there is a threat to the government at this time. Powerful globalists understand that to "create a new world order" (Like George Bush Sr. called it) they would have to get rid of Algernon Sidney's democratic-republic notions and replace our form of government.  But, God has other plans which is why it is interesting to watch it all being exposed.  Last year, President Trump acknowledged that, despite all his accomplishments in just one term, that the greatest work he had before him was to defend the democratic republic from being stolen and dismantled.  In my own perspective, this is why I think we could witness the overthrow of our form of government. Some suggest that we should move to a more European parliamentary form of government.  Because of the lack of teaching of American history in our educational system, most Americans are not aware that this was the form of government that the founders of our nation rejected and designed our form of government based on Algernon Sidney's "Discourses On Government" and John Lockes' "Two Treaties Of Government."

       A number of months ago, just before the 2020 election, God gave me a picture of Donald Trump in a vision and explained to me that He was doing this work just as God had shown me in November 2016.  Then I had a new vision of Senator Ted Cruz flash before me and the Lord said, Ted Cruz, will be used by The Lord to restore the constitution to its rightful place. This vision came was just a few days before the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, At that moment I wasn't sure if the Lord was going to raise up  Mr. Cruz to the Supreme court or place him in the presidency. I also inquired of the Lord, "How could Ted Cruz become president if Vice President Mike Pence would run as president after President Trump's term was up?" So, I thought well maybe Mr. Cruz was going to the Supreme Court.  However, here we are now faced with the fact that President Trump did not continue in office. Again let me be clear, this discussion is not about who becomes president - this is about God preserving the Democratic-Republic for the sake of His church and kingdom work. Advocates for moving toward a democracy need to read why our founding fathers voted against that form of government. Right now, however, as the results of the 2020 election move goes I am thoroughly convinced, President Trump, whether in office or out of office, will continue this great assignment that God has given him - which is to protect the democratic republic. God has given The Body Of Christ a reprieve from the globalist agenda for the last four years and exhorted us to repent for our national sin and called us to pray for an awakening.  As election fraud is exposed across the nation, we are going to witness whether our leaders and institutions are going to remain committed and will follow the US constitution or not.  

Recently, I asked The Lord, why he put Joe Biden in office?  He responded immediately to me explaining that He put him in the office to avert another civil war.  He did this so that The Body Of Christ would be given another opportunity to do the work of Isaiah 58:12 "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." What we are facing is not about politics. Ephesians 6:12 "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."  This is a spiritual war and it's important to remember what attitude we should have as believers. II Cor. 10:3-5 "For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God..."  We are called to the work of restoration, the ministry of reconciliation, and the healing of our national wounds. We are called to praying, evangelism, and disciplining our nation to the Lord.  From a prophetic perspective the next phase of God's plan and purpose - to refamiliarize us with the history behind our democratic republic and national constitution.  This nation was formed to protect God's kingdom work that was almost destroyed by the religious civil wars of Europe. God moved his people to the shores of America and gave us a form of government that protected His work.  The first amendment was given to protect the freedom of worship.

    Notice, Freedom to worship was not the fourth or fifth amendment - it was written for God's priority to continue his kingdom work throughout the nations. The United States Of American has given more to world missions supplied more missionaries and given their lives to preserve freedom throughout the world.  Despite our national sins, Romans 3:23 is still true, "For All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  All nations have sinned and are guilty of far more atrocities than our nation has ever done.  Fascism killed 6 million Jews - America liberated the camps.  Communism murdered millions who opposed them and the United States has fought and championed freedom for those nations that were under the hand of those oppressive governments. Godly Americans, became abolitionists, fought for women's rights, championed human dignity, and gave us a nation that requires us to work together to finish God's assignment and task for our nation. We are living in an unfinished national vision - where we the people will mean all the people - with equal justice and equal application of the law. The current attempted overthrow of our nation will not be successful as long as the Body Of Christ steps up and does what it has been called to do - discipling our nation to Jesus.  Let's continue to believe what God's word proclaims in Rev. 11:15 "“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”  The globalist, oligarchy class, and communist may have a plan but God has a greater plan - and His plan will prevail.

                                   Edward Hicks painting of "The Peaceable Kingdom"

                                                    God's intent for our nation!

The Administrative State Vs. The American Democratic Republic

 

... and to the Republic for which it stands.  The Pledge of Allegiance has been something that every American has recited in school, during some event or gathering in their lifetime.  But, do most Americans recognize the word "Republic?" It may come as a surprise to many, especially millennials (who have not been taught American history), that we are not a democracy but rather we are a "Democratic Republic." Just exactly what is that?  Why is it important? And is it worth preserving?  In this brief article, we will try to explore and answer these questions.     

                                                                                 

    A few years ago, I was invited to attend The Delaware Family Policy Counsels annual gathering. The special speaker was Sebastian Gorka - a British born Hungarian-American military and intelligence analyst, who served as a deputy assistant to President Trump. During his talk, he referenced that America was a democratic republic.  Toward the end of the session, time was given to take questions.  I stood up and went to the mike and asked him, "Do You Think Most Americans, even here, in this room full of Christians, understand what a democratic republic is?" He responded, of "course they do!"  At that moment, I thought how could he even think that Americans knew this. I didn't.  The only time I even remember some type of teaching on how our government functioned was in seventh grade in 1970.  Like many other Americans, I was educated in the public school system, and in my mind, it is the government's job to educate young people about our history, our form of government, our economic system (based on Adam Smith's free economic theory or John Keynes, Keynesian Economic theory which espouses the need for governmental regulation of the free markets).  These two theories have been with us since the Great Depression and taught in our universities. Both have created a tension in our economic system between the ideas of a self-regulated system vs. a government perspective to make the system accountable.  Neither is Marxist.

    While in seminary in 1988, I took a course in Liberation Theology where I was introduced to Marxism as an economic theory which the professor claim was needed to deal with the unchristian "Greed" built into our American economic system. My professor proposed that until we could find a more "Christianly" economic theory, we should abandon "capitalism," and move our nation to marxism until we could find a better system that would be more favorable to discipling people to resist the "spirit of greed" in our culture. My only problem with his presentation was Communism was embedded with the same greed he was denouncing just as much as capitalism has. Why? Because it's a part of the human condition.  We call it sin. For those who grew up without any experience or view of Marxism as practiced in the 20th century, it's important to note that every Marxist country was based on atheism. Totalitarianism, Dictatorship, or an Oligarchy form of government.  

Let's define a few terms:

• Totalitarianism is a concept for a form of government or political system that prohibits opposition parties, restricts individual opposition to the state and its claims, and exercises an extremely high degree of control over public and private life.
• An Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. These people may be distinguished by nobility, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control.
• Marxism advocates socialism in forms both similar and in stark contrast to Marx and Friedrich Engels' conception of socialism, advocating some form of collective ownership over large-scale production.
• Democracy is based on the rule of the majority of the population and is a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.
• A Democratic Republic is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections; and exercises power according to the "Rule Of Law" under a constitution, including separation of powers with an elected head of state. It is often referred to as a constitutional republic or representative democracy.

    As a nation, our government is based on a Democratic Republic form of government developed under the contributing works Algernon Sidney's, "Discourses Concerning Government," John Locke's' "Two Tracts On Government" based on the idea of separation of powers, The Political Writings Of William Penn, and Quaker Constitutionalism and the political thought Of JohnDickinson. In Fact, many scholars remain in ignorance that America as we know it was originally invented by the Quakers - It was called, "The Holy Experiment," later referred to as "The American Experiment."  Although this is not a comprehensive history of the country's formation, I have referenced some very important foundational sources largely neglected by mainstream historians and their understanding of why "Philadelphia is the righteous root" and foundation for our nation's democratic republic. Let me state clearly, without these foundations America doesn't work well which is why we are faced with the huge political divide. If you don't understand Quakerism you will not understand why this form of government is so vastly different from other forms of government throughout the world. Too many American's think that the European models offered today is something we should embrace. I would argue that what our founding leadership gave us is a unique gift that needs to be re-explored, discussed, and taught again.

    

Recently, social critic, Os Guinness has written another important book on the American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789.  Os' insightful work explains why our current American political crisis has its footing in both revolutions and that we need to decide which direction we are going as a nation together.  My claim is that his work is an important contribution, however, without understanding Algernon Sidney's, "Discourses Concerning Government," and John Locke's' "Two Tracts On Government" we are about to lose what "The American Experiment is all about and find ourselves with a form of government being imposed on us by an Elitist Oligarchy.  A few years ago, Through a word that The Holy Spirit spoke to me, and through my reading of these materials I have referenced, I concluded that our democratic-republic was formed for the church to flourish and carry the gospel to the ends of the earth without freedom of an oppressive government.  Most Americans, not only do not know their American History but have no idea about European history and why so many Christians left Europe to come to a new land and develop a new nation.  They did not come here to start a plantation system based on enslavement.  That was brought in by secular commercial interests and had nothing to do with the calling to spreading the gospel in North America. We'll save this thought for another time.  William Penn's "Seed Of A Nation" is the vision and mission is the foundation of why America. It's time to dust off the books and go research this for yourselves instead of having to be spoon-fed by someone else what to believe about these things.  Despite the vision, remember America's founders and contributors were just as flawed as we are.  Romans 3:23 is still true, "For we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our national sin historically is slavery, and just as our world had to become sensitive to the Jewish holocaust and its post-traumatic after effects, we need to confront ourselves, repent as a nation for our national sin of slavery, address dehumanization, make reparations, and assist tow people groups - Native American and the African American communities toward healing the effects and trauma that both communities are still having difficulty overcoming. Enough said.          

                                                                                  

    Now turning to our current political situation, regardless of our national election outcomes, the iniquity of our land is not just going away and we are going to make huge mistakes based on poor decision-making processes. Proverbs 24:4 states that "We make wise decisions by keeping abreast of all the facts." We need to stop being lazy and believing what other people tell us. We need to sit down, make time in our schedule to get to know God's word first, read our own history as a nation, and make choices on our own without depending on so-called "prophets" who declare this is what God is saying, or politicians who tell us what right and wrong is, and preachers who have no idea what they are talking about. I'd like to know why the American church has not judged "prophecy as they are called to do. Why is it a practice to just accept someone else's word for it?  Prophecy is to be judge. There are false prophets, false apostles, and false teachers. I John 4:1 says, "Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world."  Where is the discernment? Where is the accountability? Who is responsible to reprimand and discipline those who mislead the Body Of Christ with their false prophecies, teachings, or divisiveness? Proverbs 27:5 states, "Better an open reprimand than concealed love."

    So, where are we now?  During the election cycle of 2016, I felt and came to the opinion that God raised up President Donald Trump to preserve our democratic republic. At the time I had no idea how my thoughts and promptings from the Holy Spirit would turn out so accurately. Here we are right now caught between two confusing ideas; An American idea based on "A democratic republic" model and a European socialism model that is threatening our very foundation and cultural existence." Our president's work has uncovered how deeply flawed our administrative wing of the government is failing. Recently, several commentators have said that the greatest threat to our nation is the perils of an administrative state who want to move us to a form of oligarchy.  Our current election was not a choice between two presidential candidates as some suppose but a choice between William Penn's Holy Experiment and an administrative state ruled by an oligarchy. This is why as the Body Of Christ we have to educate, teach, and pray for the restoration of our democratic republic.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians. 6:12"

Kingdom Culture Vs. Cancel Culture

Over the last few years, we have been, increasing, encountering a culture both within and outside     The Christian faith with people not being able to get along.  Diverse opinions, theologies or political dissent has divided friends, family, workplaces and churches. Too often these day, dialogues become dialogues. Honor, respect and diversity of views have become reasons for ending relationships. As you may know, it's now referred to as the cancel culture. People just don't seem to know how to have a relationship with one another. I can understand when those who do not know Christ sever their relationships with one another; however, I don't understand Christians who think its okay to divorce, to separate and divide themselves from each other, and then write off their relationships with one another and then just say God told me to do it. In other words, without scriptural foundation they end relationships blaming God told me. Who can argue with that mindset?  Well, let me start out by saying two things: (1) God never instructs his people to do things contrary to his word; and (2) God never told you that regardless of your feelings, emotions, or thoughts. God does not advocate the cancel culture. It's contrary to the Word Of God.  

       Most of the time, regardless of age, people who are arrested develop- mentally, both emotionally and spiritually have difficulty in their relationships because they were not properly taught by their parents how to properly relate to others.  This is certainly nothing new since the New Testament has a huge repertoire of how we should address offenses, unforgiveness, hurt, bitterness, division, conflicts, trust or I just don't need this. The scripture teaches us how to handle ALL of our relationships with God. Fundamentally, how you handle your relationship with others is a direct witness of how you see God, how you see yourself, and how you see others. Your mishandling of relationships in your life speaks volumes on what kind of person you are. If you really believe you are a Christian you just don't get an option just to opt out.  Relationships are designed to grind. ALL relationships are painful at times.  They are designed to reveal what's inside of us - those unhealed areas of our life that need to be taken to the Cross and brought to death within us. The scriptures are clear to those who believe that they are to be like Christ - who was mistreated, called names, spit upon, beaten, and crucified. Even while he was hanging on the cross the two thieves were hurling insults and mocking him. He took all that and then forgave ALL who participated in that effort to silence his voice from their lives. He rose above it all and provided a way for us to be transformed.  Ephesians  4:17-18 says: "So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord's name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of. because of their ignorance and stubbornness."  Being a part of the Cancel Culture is living like other people in the world. It is evidence of an antiChrist spirit in yourself.  

A cancel culture mindset is all about you and your lack of ability to examine how you're bad decisions impact others around you - especially when you get others to side with you without a due process. Just because you think it's God, you think your right, and you think it's okay doesn't mean you're right. The Apostle Paul makes it clear your mind is set on worthless things and your choices are based in ignorance and stubbornness (you're need to be right) What else is evident is when you drag others into your views to affirm and support you without working through the processes required in the Bible on how to handle difficulty in relationship. Matthew 18:15 states clearly, "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. However, going to others and rehearsing your thoughts without doing this is a violation of the Word of God. You have now sown discord in the Body Of Christ.    Anytime conflict, resentment, fear, lack of trust, pain emerges within you and I - the things that trigger us, make us mad, overwhelmed, frustrated, and want to pull away, divorce, or sever a relationship we need to turn to the word of God and handle it properly.  It's not okay to be a part of a cancel culture and cut people off with a text, an email, or deleting them off your social media  without having a good  heartfelt conversation working through every piece of what it takes to reconcile your relationship with others. We will discuss this further by looking at a few scriptures.    You are not suppose to make your problem the problem of others, especially when they are mutual friends.  When you rehearse your "resentments, hurts, bitterness, etc. without going through with the one who has caused offense - alone first.   You doing nothing more than defiling the others around you. Who gets to challenge our mindset? Ephesian 4:17-22 states three things:  Put Off The Old Mindset, Be Renewed In The Spirit Of Your Mind, and Put On Christ.  Your life speaks clearly and reflects your choices especially when you're having inner conflicts. Conflicts are a part of life.  There is no way to ignore them, stick your head in the sand and hope they go away. You have to have that conversation. You have to obey the Word Of God. In John 2:3 says "If we say we know God but do not obey his commands, we are lying. The truth is not in us." Aren’t you glad Jesus isn’t a part of the cancel culture? If you are a real follower of Jesus you are a part of a kingdom culture not a cancel culture. Here's what Kingdom Culture people do:

Ephesians 4:29-32

"Don't say anything that would hurt another person,

Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed.

That way, what you say will help those who hear you.

Don't grieve the Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you...

He has put His seal on you for the day you will be set free from the world of sin.

Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing and hatred.

Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other 

as God has forgiven you through Christ

This is still true even in the face of a cancel culture. Friendship takes love, listening commitment, faith, time, perseverance, death to self and loyalty in the face of all odds and challenges you face in life. Real Christians who call themselves friends listen, counsel, pray and stay with you regardless of the challenge it takes to stay in relationships. It's not about you! It's always about staying a true to your friend. Just know that as your friend, I are committed to you and are praying for you regardless of the challenges you face in your life... because that’s the character and nature of the God we serve. ... while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. No greater love does a man have than to lay his life down for his friends (Jesus said this). Aren’t you glad he’s not a part of the cancel culture! What kind Of Friend do You want To Be? One that reflects the character and nature of God? or one who thinks a cancel culture is okay?

Romans 12:17

"Do your best to live at peace with everyone." 

Throughout Scripture Christians are told to love others. Love does no harm to its neighbor. We are not to hurt others physically or emotionally. Words do hurt people. Think before you say something to hurt someone’s feelings. Not only words said directly to the person, but words said when that person is not around. And think before you press that delete button!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Principles, Strategies, and Methodologies Of Non-Violence For Social Change

 “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. It is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” 

- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In August 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and spoke out four words that engraved him into our American soul as one of our greatest icons. Dr. King is recognized throughout the world as one of the most inspiring American leaders who helped change our national discourse on race, discrimination and civil rights in our country.  For him, when the constitution begins with “We the people” it meant “All the people.” However, despite his fame, there is little understanding of what he stood for beyond his four famous words, “I Have A Dream!”  Every February, during black history month he is held up as one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders; but little is known about who he is, what he stood for and how he became one of the most beloved leaders in our American story.   According to Professor Ramin Jahanbegloo, “Only through an inquiry of his social, political, religious and philosophical development will we be able to understand the nature of his thoughts and the magnitude of his historical accomplishments.” Martin Luther King Jr wasn’t just a brilliant orator and community organizer. He was also a groundbreaking thinker.  

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He grew up as the son of a leading minister in Atlanta, Georgia.  After completing high school at age 15, King graduated from Morehouse College at the age of 19 with a BA in Sociology. After graduation he left for graduate work at Crozer Theological Seminary, followed by his post-graduate work at Boston University.  At the age of 26 King received his Ph.D.  Despite these great accomplishments, Dr. King's felt the sting of segregation even though his genealogical heritage traced back to Cork, Ireland, in addition to his Native American and West African roots.  

In the pursuit of a just society, he appealed to pre-existing philosophies, historical and religious perspectives to conquer the fear of oppression.  King’s influences included: (1) Philosophers Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Søren Aabye Kierkegaard and Henry David Thoreau and (2) Theologians Walter Rauchenbusch, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Paul Tillich. According to former US Ambassador Andrew Young, Martin and his ministry perspectives did not happen in a vacuum, but rather, it also stood on the historical cultural context and shoulders of one of Georgia’s most celebrated figures, Native American, Tomochichi.  According to Young, “It was Tomochichi who could have massacred James Edward Oglethorpe and the British when they landed in 1733, but choose peace instead.  Considered by Great Britain to be co-founders of Georgia, they established peaceful British Colonial Native Georgia relations for a century, until the despicable removal of the native population with the trail of tears.”   King also studied the work of Mahatma Gandhi, who was leading India’s fight for freedom from Great Britain. Gandhi knew that armed insurrection would justify British attack. His solution was nonviolent passive resistance, in which vast numbers of Indians boycotted British goods and disobeyed what they felt were unjust laws. Relentless nonviolent mass confrontation eventually forced the British to abandon their claim to India. King saw that Gandhi’s nonviolent approach to the struggle for freedom in India could work in the struggle for equal rights in America.  Each of these influences helped shape his non violence for social change that marked the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. 

After years of dehumanization, discrimination and in the face of injustice toward African Americans, King developed his non-violent strategies on the three pillars of his moral and political philosophy:

His Christian Faith

His principles of Non-violence for Social Change

And Civil Disobedience against unjust laws and social evils

As a Emancipative Theologian, King held to the power of love for solving social problems.  He believed that faith in a personal God and a commitment to human dignity would enable all Americans to live up to their professed belief that “All Men Are Created Equal.”   King said, “This is the way that we will get out of this dark night of oppression, and make of this nation a better nation. It means that we can stand up and allow the opposition to know that we will not accept injustice. We will stand up against it with our lives. We will never stoop down to the level of violence and hatred, and we will come to that point and we will be able to convince him that a new world is emerging.”   King’s principles of non-violence are:

1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. 

• It is active nonviolent resistance to evil. 

• It is assertive spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. 

• It is always persuading the opponent of the justice of your cause. 

2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding. 

• The end result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation. 

• The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community. 

3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people. 

• Nonviolence holds that evildoers are also victims. 

4. Nonviolence holds that voluntary suffering can educate and transform.

• Nonviolence willingly accepts the consequences of its acts. 

• Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation. 

• Nonviolence accepts violence if necessary, but will never inflict it. 

• Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and 

   transforming possibilities. 

• Suffering can have the power to convert the enemy when reason fails. 

5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. 

• Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as of the body. 

• Nonviolent love gives willingly, knowing that the return might be hostility.

• Nonviolent love is active, not passive. 

• Nonviolent love does not sink to the level of the hater. 

• Love for the enemy is how we demonstrate love for ourselves. 

• Love restores community and resists injustice. 

• Nonviolence recognizes the fact that all life is interrelated. 

6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. 

• The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.

Despite his influence, dream and fame in the mid-twentieth century, King’s mission was to achieve ‘equal justice and equal application of the law’ for all our citizens. Further inquiry into his perspectives of ‘non-violence for social change’ affords us a unique opportunity to build upon his work and become the moral force in eliminating what he called, the triple evils of society: “poverty, racism, and war.”

Biography 

Ansbro John J. King, Martin Luther. Non-Violent Strategies and tactics for Social Change. Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY.  c 1982

Birt, Robert E., The Liberatory Thought of Martin Luther King Jr.: Critical Essays on the Philosopher King. Lexington Books, Lanham, Maryland c 2012

Gilbreath, Edward.  Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge to the Church. Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove, IL. c 2013

Jahanbegloo, Ramin.  The Revolution of Values: The Origins of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Moral and Political Philosophy.  Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc, Lanham, Maryland. C 2019

Nojeim, Michael J.  Gandhi and King: The Power Of Nonviolent Action. Praeger Press. West Port, CT 

C 2004

*** Private Pictures Collective provided by Evangelist Dr. Alveda King