Monday, January 15, 2024

Dean Powery: Why MLK Echoed the Prophet Amos


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In his (Duke) Chronicle column on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Chapel Dean Luke Powery focuses on King’s well-known words that, “Justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

“As we once again consider King’s legacy,” Dean Powery says, “it is helpful to examine the larger literary context of this oft-quoted scripture verse from chapter five of the Book of Amos, in which the prophet is relaying a divine message that no ceremony or song can make up for injustice in a community."

"The wisdom of Amos — especially for religious practitioners — offers a challenge to integrate one’s lip service and life service," he says. "We can sing folk songs all we want, but in the end, are we helping the folk? Are we working toward justice and righteousness in the marketplace of life — in homeless shelters and food pantries and court rooms and prisons and addiction recovery centers? On this MLK day, this is what should roll down and flow like streams from our lives."

Read the column.