"I am honestly scratching my head over this panel discussion at T4G. It adds to my concerns that the broad evangelical church's focus on social justice is becoming unbalanced and unclear. No one disputes the fact that Luther King Jr. held deeply unorthodox views on the Christian Faith related to the inspiration of Scripture, the divine Sonship of Christ, the virgin birth, the resurrection, etc-- all essential Christian doctrine. Nor does anyone dispute the fact that MLK had numerous extra-marital affairs -- many of whom were prostitutes. Evidence has also recently come out that there was a significant misappropriation of funds within his civil rights organization. Nevertheless, in this panel discussion MLK is held up as a supreme "example of Christ's love" and a man who held "a deep theology of the cross" and who "won a hearing for Jesus Christ." Rather than give serious warnings to the 12,000 ministers and church leaders about MLK's sexual exploits and unorthodox doctrine, MLK's infidelities were spoken of as that which is too often viewed as a "smokescreen and diversion" to discount his important message and movement. In an age where we are trying to help Christians see the high priority of essential Christian doctrine and help ministers to understand that living in secret sexual sin (yes, porn also) is utterly unacceptable for a minister of the gospel, I find this conversation to be very unbalanced and potentially confusing for ministers -- especially young zealous ministers who want to make a difference in the world.
Growing up in Santa Clara, California, I went to school and played soccer with and lived next to people from dozens of ethnic backgrounds. Racism was a foreign concept to me.
However, having lived in the south for almost 30 years, and in Charleston for five of those years, I have learned a lot about the wickedness of slavery and ongoing racism in our culture. It must be boldly repudiated and resisted in the life of the church and in our communities. Christians must stand against racial injustice. But this call to "love our neighbor" must never downplay or dismiss essential Christian doctrine, especially as it concerns the first things of the gospel (I Cor. 15:3-4). A "deep theology of the cross" should never be separated from its atoning and propitiatory work. And "winning a hearing for Christ" should never be understood in mere moral terms. Christ came to seek and to save the lost through his shed blood. This must always be emphasized in relation to "getting a hearing for Christ." But in relation to MLK it cannot be, because he did not believe it. That's what worries me about this unbalanced conversation. MLK was used in God's providence to make some profoundly important progress in the civil rights movement, helping people to see that we are all made in God's image. He helped to show America that racism is deplorable -- and non-christian at its core. I'm grateful for that. I do not, however, think that it is wise to hold up MLK's life and "ministry" as an example without clearly pointing out the serious deficiencies in his doctrine and personal life. To not do so is to invite even more confusion into the church. I really do appreciate the larger context of this conversation, and the desire to rid our churches and communities of latent racism. I'm just concerned that we are not going about it very wisely. Listen for yourself."
