Martin Luther King, Jr. & Albert Schweitzer: Their Witness & Challenge

Greetings,

It has always been of interest to me that Albert Schweitzer and Martin Luther King, Jr. come so close to sharing a birthday.  Two men so very different, King born 54 years after Schweitzer’s birth, dies just 2 and a half years after Schweitzer’s death.  Schweitzer born in the middle of European culture and influence.  King born in the heart of the U. S. South, a black man in a white society.  Both men faced difficulties in their chosen tasks, obstacles put in their way.  Both men had to draw on an inner faith to sustain them in the face of opposition, slander, and problem of being accepted by many while being opposed by many.  Both men spent time in prison.  Both men adopted and wrote of powerful philosophies which were considered radical even threatening by many even though both proclaimed peace and harmony and the sanctity of life.  Both were considered to be “radicals” and Communists by J. Edgar Hoover.  Both men won the Nobel Peace Prize. 

Most importantly, both men understood that the Christian faith required them to put forth themselves in lives of service and sacrifice, that they needed to, by example, call others to total, radical Christian living which affects and is acted out in all aspects of life.  Reverence for Life, Non-Violence, faithful daily living that transforms the world: these were the shared principles and faith of King and Schweitzer.

In the ‘60s many of us were involved in the civil rights movement, and had the opportunity to hear Dr. King, and to follow in the path of Non-Violent action.  One may be aware of the flaws in Dr. King, though not so much as being aware of the flaws in our own lives, but the commitment and faith he demonstrated continue to be a source of blessing and inspiration to all of us.

In the age of political correctness, Dr. King remains decidedly incorrect.  In an age of we are our own gods, Dr. King’s belief in the God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, remains a clear call to worship that which is beyond ourselves, to worship the God who created us and calls us to creative love.  Dr. King’s absolute commitment to the Christian faith remains a challenge, calling us to sacrifice for others.

Yours & His,

DED