''Strength to Love'' is a book by

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...

It was published in 1963 as a collection of his

sermons A sermon is a religious discourse or oration by a preacher, usually a member of clergy. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts ...

primarily on the topic of

racial segregation in the United States In the United States, racial segregation is the systematic separation of facilities and services such as housing, healthcare, education, employment, and transportation on racial grounds. The term is mainly used in reference to the legally ...

and with a heavy emphasis on permanent religious values.

Major themes

King's writings reflect his deep understanding for the need of

agape In Christianity, agape (; ) is "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God". This is in contrast to philia, brotherly love, or philautia, self-love, as it embraces a deep and profound sacrificial love ...

, a love that is concerned with going the extra mile to ensure the well-being of others. King believed in a better world, but in order to attain his vision we must first face our fears and then master these fears through courage, love, and faith. He preached of courage that all Christians should show in their

nonviolent Nonviolence is the personal practice of not causing harm to others under any condition. It may come from the belief that hurting people, animals and/or the environment is unnecessary to achieve an outcome and it may refer to a general philosoph ...

stand against segregation, although he did believe that all people could possess this strength of courage for we are all made in the image of God. This courage is the strength to hope for better days, the strength to have faith in the Lord, and most of all the strength to love all of God's children no matter their skin color.

Sources

References

External links

* 1963 non-fiction books History of African-American civil rights Works by Martin Luther King Jr. American books Harper & Row books Books about religion Books about race and ethnicity {{US-poli-book-stub