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sapphicsav's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
In Strength to Love, Martin Luther King translates his sermons into a steadfast, visionary, and galvanizing collection. His commitment to tenderness of heart and strength of mind conveys a striking understanding of vulnerability, hope, and practicality all at once. I would recommend this book to anyone with a complicated relationship with religion or Christianity who is looking for positive and progressive manifestations of faith.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Racism, Hate crime, and Police brutality
shewantsthediction's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
King was clearly well-read and had an incredible vocabulary. This collection of sermons proves he was as great a writer as he was a speaker. However, because so much of this is focused around Christian values and mores, it did become repetitive, and I disagreed with a lot of his takes.
(In particular, his criticisms of humanism, as well as his staunch philosophy of nonviolence. I understood his point about modern men worshipping the "gods" of science, technology, and progress, but as a humanist myself, I felt he misunderstood what humanism is, and that it doesn't necessarily lack spirituality or morality just because it's not theistic. I don't believe theism is required for morality. Also, just looking at history, sometimes riots, revolts, and other acts of violence are necessary, and the only thing that brings about true change—because oppressors aren't just going to hand over control, wealth, superior status, etc.)
Being queer and having been raised in Christian fundamentalism, I disliked the Christian lingo and overall framing of things, but still glad I read it. We didn't get much of King in school besides the famous "I Have a Dream" speech, so it was nice to see what he really believed first-hand.
(In particular, his criticisms of humanism, as well as his staunch philosophy of nonviolence. I understood his point about modern men worshipping the "gods" of science, technology, and progress, but as a humanist myself, I felt he misunderstood what humanism is, and that it doesn't necessarily lack spirituality or morality just because it's not theistic. I don't believe theism is required for morality. Also, just looking at history, sometimes riots, revolts, and other acts of violence are necessary, and the only thing that brings about true change—because oppressors aren't just going to hand over control, wealth, superior status, etc.)
Being queer and having been raised in Christian fundamentalism, I disliked the Christian lingo and overall framing of things, but still glad I read it. We didn't get much of King in school besides the famous "I Have a Dream" speech, so it was nice to see what he really believed first-hand.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, and Racism
Minor: Hate crime, Mental illness, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Slavery, Violence, War, and Fire/Fire injury
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