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Eig Kicks off January Series

January 22, 2025
Jonathan Eig
Jonathan Eig
calvin.edu

“OK, I will.”

Those were the last words spoken by Martin Luther King, Jr, a second before he was assassinated, according to Jonathan Eig, author of King: A Life. And they were fitting words, encapsulating a life of struggle and service to bring his deep understanding of God’s vision of justice to fruitfulness in the world.

Jonathan Eig’s presentation to open Calvin University’s 2025 January Series offered an insightful exploration of his book, a 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner, which delves into the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The January Series is a free, 10-day lecture series, offered online and in person, that is filled with brilliant speakers, fascinating topics, and enlightened conversation. Eig’s talk unearthed King’s Christian conviction and his commitment to social justice. Eig’s portrait is deeply human, underscoring King’s enduring light in today’s struggle for justice and equality.

A Faith-Driven Advocate for Justice

Eig emphasized that King’s activism was inseparable from his Christian faith. King’s belief in the biblical principle that all people are created in the image of God underpinned his calls for equality and justice. This theological conviction was evident in his first major public role as leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. When the arrest of Rosa Parks sparked the boycott, King—a 26-year-old pastor working on his doctorate—was chosen to lead the movement. Initially unsure of his readiness, King found encouragement from his wife, Coretta Scott King, and, ultimately, from God. This moral clarity and courage resonated across the nation and the world, becoming a hallmark of King’s leadership, explained Eig.

Throughout his life, King viewed his activism as an extension of his ministry, said Eig. King saw the civil-rights movement not merely as a political struggle but as a moral and spiritual calling. His faith gave him the strength to face relentless opposition, including death threats, government surveillance, and eventual assassination. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, when fear and exhaustion overwhelmed him – his family’s house had been bombed; people telephoned his home with death threats at every hour of day and night so that he wouldn’t be able to sleep – King had a moment of divine reassurance. 

In prayer at night, with phones ringing in death threats in the background, he prayed. And he heard God tell him, “Keep going. You’re doing the right thing. I’m with you.” This experience fortified King’s resolve and inspired him to continue leading the fight for justice, no matter the cost.

Coretta Scott King: A Partner in Faith and Justice

Eig’s presentation also highlighted the indispensable role of Coretta Scott King in the civil-rights movement. A committed activist in her own right, Coretta displayed courage, intellect, and faith that matched her husband’s, said Eig. She challenged Martin to remain steadfast in his mission. When their home was bombed during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Coretta refused to leave, even when her father-in-law came to drive her family to a safer home. Her resilience, commitment, and courage is in itself a compelling example.

Coretta’s partnership with Martin extended beyond emotional support, Eig added. She was a strategic thinker and an advocate who pushed him to address broader issues of inequality. She fought economic injustice, protested against the Vietnam War, and fought for equitable access to health and child care. Her contributions to the movement underscore the collective nature of the struggle for civil rights and the essential role of women in its success.

King’s Humanity and the Weight of Leadership

While King’s public persona often emphasized his inspirational speeches and moral clarity, Eig’s research reveals a deeply human figure. King was both brilliant and vulnerable. He struggled with self-doubt and battled personal vices. He lived with intense government surveillance that tracked his every move and worked as hard as possible to discredit him. By the time of his assassination in 1968, two-thirds of Americans disapproved of him. 

Despite these challenges, Eig pointed out that King remained committed to his faith and principles and continued to fight for a radical, Christ-centered vision for a flourishing, equitable society. In his final years, King expanded his vision to include the Poor People’s Campaign, which sought to address systemic economic injustice on a national scale. He planned to bring together people from all walks of life to demand fundamental changes in America’s economic structures.

The Role of Nonviolence and Radical Love

Central to King’s philosophy was his belief in nonviolence and radical love. He saw these principles as morally right and strategically effective. In Birmingham, Ala., where he led the Children’s March, King faced extreme violence, including bombings and police brutality. Yet he called on protesters to respond with love and faith. This approach, said Eig, highlighted the moral bankruptcy of segregation and, in doing so, awakened Americans to the injustices that their fellow citizens experienced every single day. The images of children facing police dogs and water cannons during protests galvanized public support and led to significant legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington is often remembered for its uplifting vision of racial harmony. However, Eig pointed out that the speech’s first half focused on systemic injustices like income inequality and police brutality. This emphasis on structural change reflects King’s broader vision for a just society—a vision rooted in his Christian belief in the inherent dignity of all people.

A Legacy of Faith and Justice

Eig concluded his presentation by reflecting on the enduring relevance of King’s life and message. King’s deep faith and commitment to social justice continue to inspire activists today. However, Eig also warned against the “whitewashing” of King’s legacy. The sanitized version of King often celebrated during the national holiday obscures the radical nature of his demands and the profound challenges he faced.

King’s willingness to speak out against systemic injustice is an exemplar for everyone in every nation today. The situation of his death demonstrates this, said Eig. King’s last campaign was in Memphis, supporting striking sanitation workers. On the eve of his assassination, King delivered a speech and sermon, declaring, “I’ve been to the mountaintop. . . . I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”

In King: A Life Eig points out that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy is not just a historical artifact but a call to action. King’s faith, courage, and vision, alongside his very human vices and doubts, challenge us to confront injustice and strive for a world where every person’s dignity is recognized and honored. As Eig noted, if King could continue to say, “OK, I will,” in the face of immense adversity, then we too can carry forward his work of building a more just and compassionate society.

The January Series will continue Monday-Friday from Jan. 20-31. People can attend live at the Covenant Fine Arts Center on Calvin University’s campus from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Viewers can also watch the series live online or view recordings on YouTube. Learn more at calvin.edu/January.