The scholarship on Martin Luther King Jr. has too often cast him in the image of the Southern black preacher and the American Gandhi, while ignoring or trivializing his global connections and significance. This groundbreaking work, written by scholars, religious leaders, and activists of different backgrounds, addresses this glaring pattern of neglect in King studies. King is treated here as both a global figure and a forerunner of much of what is currently associated with contemporary globalization theory and praxis. The contributors to this volume agree that King must be understood not only as a thinker, visionary, and social change agent in his own historical context, but also in terms of his meaning for the different generations who still appeal to him as an authority, inspiration, and model of exemplary service to humanity. The task of engaging King both in context and beyond context is fulfilled in remarkable ways in this volume, without doing essential violence to this phenomenal figure. "I have personally been to Martin Luther King Jr.'s memorial in Memphis, Tennessee, and have felt inspired by his example of sacrifice and conviction.
I welcome this very insightful new book that introduces readers to him, while also highlighting his strategic nonviolence as a pathway to much-needed global peace. There is much here that is consistent with Gandhi's principle of ahimsa. This is a comprehensive exploration of Dr. King's meaning for the world." --His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Spiritual Leader of the Tibetan People "We have taken for granted Martin Luther King Jr. as a 'world citizen,' but have spoken about this in vague, generalized terms. This magnificent volume puts an end to such vagueness. Baldwin and Dekar have, through the thoughtful reflections and powerful testimonies of scholars from across the world, brought into sharp relief a King concerned about the world, helping to shape it in ways we never truly understood." --Allan Aubrey Boesak, Distinguished Desmond Tutu Visiting Professor of Ecumenical Theology and Prophetic Preaching, Christian Theological Seminary "Anybody concerned about the economic, social, and gender inequalities anywhere in the world will benefit from the vision and the transformational impact of Martin Luther King Jr.'s exemplary leadership, which is carefully analyzed in this book by a diverse group of scholars, religious leaders, and activists."
--Peter J. Paris, Professor Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary "Here is Martin Luther King Jr. as a global visionary deeply rooted in the promise and limitations of his time and place. These international, transreligious, and multidisciplinary writers expose Dr. King's influence at work in places and around issues that he himself knew little or nothing about. They sort out King's genius of mind and spirit to engage the evils and the promise of globalization." --George Williamson, Civil Rights Activist and Founding President, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America Lewis V. Baldwin is Professor of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. He is the author of To Make the Wounded Whole: The Cultural Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1992) and The Voice of Conscience: The Church in the Mind of Martin Luther King, Jr. (2010). Paul R. Dekar is Professor Emeritus of Evangelism and Missions, Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, Tennessee, and is the author of Creating the Beloved Community: A Journey with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (2005) and Thomas Merton: Twentieth-Century Wisdom for Twenty-First-Century Living (2011).