As the first volume of sermons by an African American preacher widely available to a white audience, Strength to Love was a landmark work. Despite omissions and changes to the original manuscript, Strength to Love remains a concrete testament to King’s lifelong commitment to preach the social gospel. His fusion of Christian teachings and social consciousness remains in print and continues to promote King’s vision of love as a potent social and political force for change, the efficacy of religious faith in surmounting evil, and the vital need for true human integration, or, as he defined it, “genuine intergroup and interpersonal living” (King, 23). This volume brought to the forefront King’s identity as a compelling, well-educated, and compassionate preacher at a time when many whites knew him only as a civil rights leader.
July 9:
The Death of Evil on the Seashore
August 13
How Should a Christian View Communism?
The Answer to a Perplexing Question
Paul’s Letter to American Christians
More resources:
Stanford MLK Encyclopedia – This page has links to early revisions of the sermons included in “Strength To Love”
