Who Are You Following?
The idea of “not being a follower” is something we’ve been taught since childhood, but might I challenge that a bit? Instead of adopting this statement as a blanket rule, I’d suggest that it’s not so much about following but rather who you’re following. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” This verse makes it clear: it’s not that we shouldn’t follow anyone, but that we are only to follow those who are truly following Christ.
Throughout American history, many leaders have emerged in various movements, winning the allegiance of countless followers. However, I want to focus on just one: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Who was he, and who was he not? I aim to offer a brief analysis of Dr. King’s beliefs about key doctrines of the Christian faith. My hope is to challenge you to assess and decide whether he was someone worth following.
The Weight of This Discussion
Writing this post has come with much thought and consideration. Many of us grew up learning about Black historical figures in school, and Dr. King is often among the top three most celebrated. Children do projects, watch movies, and read books about him.
When I first encountered information contrary to what I had always believed about Dr. King, “shocked” would be an understatement. As I continued to learn, I found myself hesitant to share my thoughts, especially since the Black community holds him in such high regard. The idea of speaking out gave me pause, knowing the potential backlash I might face. Even now, I know this post may lead some to dismiss or avoid me. Still, I’m oddly optimistic and hope that’s not the case.
For this post, I’ll focus on Dr. King’s theological views. I plan to address his political views in a future write-up.
Dr. King’s Theology
Let’s begin by examining what Dr. King believed about God. Many researchers have delved into this topic, including Virgil Walker, whose article on Dr. King can be found here. Much of Dr. King’s theological beliefs can be found in the papers he wrote while attending Crozer Theological Seminary.
It’s worth noting that simply attending seminary or Bible college does not exempt anyone from scrutiny. As Christians, we are called to test everyone by the Scriptures and the fruit they bear. If someone’s beliefs or actions don’t align with God’s Word, we must be cautious about letting them influence us, especially as ministers or leaders of congregations.
Denial of Christ’s Divinity
One of the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith is the divinity of Christ. Dr. King, however, denied this. You can read his views here. It’s particularly concerning that he held such beliefs while serving as a Baptist minister. This raises the question of whether he, like many preachers today, preached a false gospel—one that tickled the ears of his listeners.
Far too often, pastors shape their doctrines around political or social issues rather than grounding them in Scripture. With too few people acting as the Bereans, testing teachings against the Word of God (Acts 17:11), it’s possible that Dr. King was able to convince Christians to follow him and even invite him into their pulpits despite his unorthodox views.
The Virgin Birth
Another doctrine Dr. King questioned was the virgin birth of Christ. In his writings, he speculated that early Christians, influenced by Roman mythology, developed the concept of the virgin birth to explain Jesus’ identity. What stood out to me in his essays was the lack of Scripture cited to support his claims. Instead, he often quoted other men or shared his personal opinions.
The Bible, however, is clear on this matter. Matthew 1:18 says, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” Verse 20 reinforces this truth: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Scripture leaves no room for speculation; the virgin birth is a divine truth.
The Resurrection
Finally, we must address Dr. King’s views on the resurrection. The Bible teaches that our faith hinges on the resurrection of Christ. As 1 Corinthians 15:13-15 says,
"But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain."
Dr. King, however, regarded the resurrection as unsatisfactory, speculating that it originated from early Christians’ attempts to understand or perhaps wishfully think about Jesus’ life and death. You can read his essay here.
In his writings, Dr. King fails to reference Scripture as the basis for doctrine. Instead, he credits human reasoning and “the scientific mind.” This approach undermines the supernatural foundation of the Christian faith. While natural evidence supports aspects of our faith, it’s ultimately the supernatural work of God that defines it.
A Sobering Conclusion
Sadly, in many instances, people are more offended when someone critiques Dr. King than when someone speaks against Christ Himself. This, my friend, reveals idolatry in the hearts of men and women. Many Black Christians idolize King for what they believe he stood for and his contributions to the Black community.
We must be vigilant when it comes to leaders who proclaim to be in the faith. If Dr. King maintained the same beliefs about Christ’s divinity, the virgin birth, and the resurrection throughout his life, we must conclude—however sadly—that he was not a Christian.
