One critique I’ve heard about my former tradition (White non-denominational evangelicalism) has to do with their alleged appropriation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. One Sunday each year in conjunction with the federal holiday, the accusation goes, churches roll out some King quotes to signal they are against racism—then the other 51 weeks of the year they enthusiastically lean into racialized inequalities in income, housing, education, healthcare, etc.
It’s a harsh critique, but one that I think all White Christians, churches, and traditions should ponder without defensiveness. No matter how often we might quote King, are we also fully committed to following his example of nonviolent resistance? The Century is preparing to publish the list of our 25 top articles of 2025 (stay tuned next week), but I will offer one spoiler today: Isaac Villegas’s excellent essay about the last sermon King wrote before he died—a sermon titled “Why America may go to hell.”
Check that one out if you missed it last year. We also have some great content that is brand new. Michael Woolf reflects on the gospel themes of resurrection and faith in the Stranger Things finale. The Century’s editorial team explores the dangers of stereotyping—not just for our president but for all of us. Kathryn Reklis reviews a movie about Shaker history, and in the process considers the ways we encounter religious fervor. Plus even more below.
Jon Mathieu Email me: How have you engaged with MLK’s work or words? Schedule a Friday lunch chat (this feature is finally back and my calendar is open)
“Not everyone demonizes groups of people the way Trump does. But we all generalize about people based on their identity markers, whether we’re Democrats or Republicans, wealthy or poor. Why do we do this?”
