Shari's Reviews > Strength to Love

One of the best books I've read in a long time. Profound!

For me, he cuts to the heart of the matter in Chapter 3, Love in Action, and Chapter 4, Loving Your Enemies. He says conquering the ignorance of those who promote segregation and prejudice requires love and forgiveness. "With Jesus on the cross, we must look lovingly at our oppressors and say, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'"
"How do we love our enemies? First, we must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive."
"Returning hate for hate only multiplies hate."
"There will be no permanent solution to the race problem until oppressed men develop the capacity to love their enemies."
"Jesus is not an impractical idealist: he is the practical realist."
King had a willingness to wear his oppressors down with love, not only to win a personal or collective victory, but to win them over in the process. "The Negro must convince the white man that he seeks justice for both himself and the white man."

Given all King's suffering, these words are jaw-dropping. His ideas and goals are brilliant; his challenges so convicting! As he says, the church must be actively involved, individually and collectively letting God change us, and also acting to promote justice. I want to discuss these chapters with others. As a white person, how can I help make these goals our collective reality? How do we learn to forgive each other?

Another note about the book. As I study the Bible, I see that God's first priority, from Genesis to Revelation, is to reconcile the relationship between Himself and all people, for His honor and glory. If this book is an accurate reflection of King's priorities and values, it appears that his first priority is reconciliation and equality among people across racial lines by following the character, actions and values of Jesus, which in turn brings spiritual maturity. So while I agree with his assessments and challenges, I view this topic in a different larger picture than he does.