Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black Liberation Theology

Posted by admin on November 6, 2008 under Religion & Truth | Be the First to Comment

James Cone, a prominent Black Liberation Theologian, believed that the New Testament revealed Jesus as one who identified with those suffering under oppression, the socially marginalized and the cultural outcasts. And since the socially constructed categories of race in America (i.e., whiteness and blackness) had come to culturally signify dominance (whiteness) and oppression (blackness), from a theological perspective, Cone argued that Jesus reveals himself as black in order to disrupt and dismantle white oppression.

 He also said that Martin Luther King’s Theology did not focus enough on his “blackness.” The Bible teaches that there is no respecter of persons with God: “For there is no respect of persons with God,” Paul declared (Rom. 2: 11).  The Scriptures emphasize repeatedly that God is not judging or treating man, any man, with respect of persons. In other words, God is just and equitable in his dealings with man. i.e. – God does not see color.

What the Bible teaches is that though God is sovereign; man still has real responsibility and freedom in the choices he makes. This was another one of the tenets of Martin Luther’s King’s teachings. And it is MLK’s teaching of this that began to turn the mindset of black and white alike. White people had the responsibility to respect people without regard to color. And black people should practice self-respect and self responsibility.

I don’t question that there is a history of oppression in this country. I am a repentant white person. But in a country where opportunity abounds, Wright continues to teach a theology of victimization instead of the freedom that comes from self responsibility. He teaches a gospel that would continue the division between black and white into perpetuity if he has his way. His way; not God’s way.

Because he is keeping his flock in a mindset of victimization, the fruit that is born of his teaching is one of entitlement. THAT is Obama’s platform. He learned it from Wright. Then he LIED saying he did not know Wright’s theology.