MLK And The Term Prophetic
MLK And The Term Prophetic
While it has become common to laud Brother Martin’s legacy today, we must painfully admit that in life, he saw far too little support from most of the church. Many anathematized Dr. King, and others like him, as senseless troublemakers who wouldn’t just settle for a semblance of peace. But as our brother famously stated, ‘True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.’
Within the modern worship movement, it is common to hear frequent use of the term ‘prophetic,’ as we have made access to divine mystery into a type of currency that elevates one’s status in our small ponds. But it's strangely rare to hear our so-called ‘prophets’ speak boldly to issues of race and justice. Perhaps this is due to the vitriol often endured by those who choose to bear righteous witness on behalf of others. One looking at America’s history alone could echo the sentiments of the Stephen the Martyr, ‘Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?’ Still, it would stand that the work of Dr. King was as prophetic, if not more prophetic, than any ‘spontaneous song’ or ‘word of knowledge’ that would garner views online.
When we survey the ongoing struggle for civil rights, one thing is certain: this fight is costly. Few have paid that ultimate cost as publicly as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. So we honor him as one of whom the world was not worthy - a prophet in our time, a messenger for God. Thank you, Brother Martin.
