Martin Luther King's Fifth and Final Massie Lecture - Christmas Sermon

Context

• Delivered as a sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.
• Christmas Eve, 1967.
• Dr. King’s message of nonviolence was shared with a larger audience.

Main Themes

Peace and Nonviolence

• The world is filled with fear and war; peace within and without is lacking.
• Urgency for Peace: The message of peace and goodwill is crucial to prevent self-destruction.
• War is Obsolete: Modern warfare’s destructive power makes war unviable as a means to an end.

Exploring Nonviolence

• Nonviolence as a Philosophy: Encourages studying nonviolence not just for racial justice but globally.
• Ecumenical Loyalties: Emphasizes interconnectedness; nations and individuals are interdependent.
• Global Interdependence: Illustrated through daily reliance on international goods.

Peaceful Means for Peaceful Ends

• Means and Ends Coherence: Critiques the notion that ends justify the means; peaceful means are essential for peaceful ends.
• Historical Military Leaders: Many claimed peace as their end goal, highlighting the need for peace as both means and end.

Sacredness of Human Life

• Human Life is Sacred: Emphasis on the sanctity of life; every person is a child of God.
• Brotherhood of Nations: Political differences should not overshadow the shared human condition.

Love and Justice

• Three Greek Words for Love:
  • Eros: Romantic love.
  • Phileo: Love between friends.
  • Agape: Unconditional love, embodies God’s love for humanity.
• Agape as Suffering Love: Love all men, not because they are likable but because God loves them.
• Love vs. Hate: Love as a redemptive force, choosing love over hate.

Dr. King’s Dream

• Deferred Dreams: Reflects on his "I Have a Dream" speech; dreams turning into nightmares due to societal injustices and violence, especially the Vietnam War.
• Continued Dream:
  • Equality judged by character, not skin color.
  • Economic revitalization and an end to poverty.
  • Justice and righteousness as primary agendas.
  • End of war, where harmony exists among nations.

Conclusion

• Faith and Hope: Encourages faith to dispel despair and pessimism, urging for a future of peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.

Historical Note

• The sermon was aired as part of the Massie lectures on CBC Radio.
• Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, a few months later.