In 1963, God was a long lost figure in American lives, as well as in many lives today. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a pastor, husband, and loving father, writes a powerful biblically based letter in regards to a statement from a group of white clergymen. In this letter, King uses many strong Biblical allusions and Christian references, to create a sense of guilt in the minds of his readers and the churches of Birmingham, by comparing scripture and spiritual figures, to how the government and clergy should handle racial segregation issues, not only in Birmingham, but in all of America. King writes that, “Just as the Apostle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ…I am too compelled to carry the gospel of
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Augustine a Christian reference who says “An unjust law is no law at all (para.12).” King quotes St. Augustine to further exemplify his knowledge about the church, and by him also mentioning this biblical figure who valued freedom and sanctity, to reach out to the clergymen and American citizens to do the same. King believes that in order for a law to be just, it must reflect God’s law. He makes it evident that no court or government law is higher than God, as Christians King believes that all comes from and through God’s word, therefore making “laws” that the government creates a void. St. Thomas Aquinas believes “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust (para.13).” King uses these two Saints, people who have knowledge of The Bible and authority, to compare God’s laws and our government’s laws to substantiate that the people in charge of our country are unjust. King wants the clergymen to realize the government doesn’t have near the power God has, by everyone in America following God’s way we will be lead down a glorious, morally right, and equal way of life. King also uses Paul Tillich a Christian existentialist philosopher, who says “sin is separation. Is not segregation an existential expression of man’s tragic separation, his awful estrangement, his terrible sinfulness (para.13).” Therefore, giving King the ability to imply that separation and discrimination are morally wrong, and also points out …show more content…
By King comparing himself to biblical and political figures who are also considered extremist, will make the clergymen gain a sense of respect for him and he also leaves questions lingering in their minds “Will we be extremist for hate, or will we be extremist for love? Will we be extremist for the preservation of justice, or will we be extremist for the cause of justice (para.24)?” King uses this strategy to call the clergymen hypocrites. The clergymen say they are “Christians,” yet they change nothing about the laws or do the morally right thing to fit in with the crowd, because they are in fear of what the government would say. By King calling the men out on their blundering and unwillingness to cooperate, it makes them feel guilty about not staying true to their promises, which in turn makes King’s strategy effective. The clergymen are called to serve God and lead their citizens closer to God, by them not accepting every race they have disobeyed God, which in turn makes them hypocritical. King makes them feel guilty to urge the clergymen and American citizens, to stand up and fight for what they want and what’s
Augustine a Christian reference who says “An unjust law is no law at all (para.12).” King quotes St. Augustine to further exemplify his knowledge about the church, and by him also mentioning this biblical figure who valued freedom and sanctity, to reach out to the clergymen and American citizens to do the same. King believes that in order for a law to be just, it must reflect God’s law. He makes it evident that no court or government law is higher than God, as Christians King believes that all comes from and through God’s word, therefore making “laws” that the government creates a void. St. Thomas Aquinas believes “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust (para.13).” King uses these two Saints, people who have knowledge of The Bible and authority, to compare God’s laws and our government’s laws to substantiate that the people in charge of our country are unjust. King wants the clergymen to realize the government doesn’t have near the power God has, by everyone in America following God’s way we will be lead down a glorious, morally right, and equal way of life. King also uses Paul Tillich a Christian existentialist philosopher, who says “sin is separation. Is not segregation an existential expression of man’s tragic separation, his awful estrangement, his terrible sinfulness (para.13).” Therefore, giving King the ability to imply that separation and discrimination are morally wrong, and also points out …show more content…
By King comparing himself to biblical and political figures who are also considered extremist, will make the clergymen gain a sense of respect for him and he also leaves questions lingering in their minds “Will we be extremist for hate, or will we be extremist for love? Will we be extremist for the preservation of justice, or will we be extremist for the cause of justice (para.24)?” King uses this strategy to call the clergymen hypocrites. The clergymen say they are “Christians,” yet they change nothing about the laws or do the morally right thing to fit in with the crowd, because they are in fear of what the government would say. By King calling the men out on their blundering and unwillingness to cooperate, it makes them feel guilty about not staying true to their promises, which in turn makes King’s strategy effective. The clergymen are called to serve God and lead their citizens closer to God, by them not accepting every race they have disobeyed God, which in turn makes them hypocritical. King makes them feel guilty to urge the clergymen and American citizens, to stand up and fight for what they want and what’s