DB#1: Go online and read Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’. Referring to
this letter written in 1963, state at least 2 values that he felt were worth giving his life for. State
your justification for selecting them by giving evidence from his letter. Then discuss how he
connected them to biblical truths by giving concrete examples from the text. (275-350 words)
Dr. King's letter from the Birmingham Jail was a passionate plea for freedom for the oppressed.
The two overarching themes that Dr. King expresses are that he would give his life for are Faith
and Freedom. Dr. King believed in equality for everyone, regardless of ethnicity. Christianity
shaped Dr. King's worldview. Biblical precepts, most notably Jesus' sermon on the mount found
in Matthew 5:39, are most evident. Here Jesus says, "But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39 ESV). He defends the extremist label by referring to
Jesus, Paul, Amos, and other biblical and historical figures and their actions. As Dr. King pursued
justice in the form of freedom for all races, he stated, "Will we be extremists for the
preservation of injustice, or will we be extremists for the cause of justice? (King, pg. 2)" The
justice he was referring to was the "God-given and constitutional rights" and freedoms for
everyone.
Dr. King interweaves his faith throughout every exchange, making it clear that it is the very
foundation for his opinions, arguments, and beliefs. Dr. King frequently bases his equality
stance
upon his strong foundation of Christianity. He states that if laws existed that suppressed his
faith, he would live in open opposition to those laws. It is faith in Jesus and adherence to the
Great Commission that inspired Dr. King. Jesus commanded His disciples to go to the
Samaritans
and even to the uttermost parts of the world. There were significant racial tensions between
those people groups and the Jewish disciples, yet Jesus commanded them to love them by
delivering them the Good News. Dr. King was fighting for the core doctrines of his faith as well
as for freedom. This author believes that he would have given his life for either of those beliefs.
