Abstract
He lived the life he sang about in his song. Writings concerning the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. have focused primarily around an analysis and assessment of his activities as civil rights leader, political philosopher, social educator, and fighter for peace.1 These studies essentially stress the what and how of Dr. King’s life, but not the essential why undergirding that life. This paper will contend that the life Dr. King lived was based upon his understanding of the uniqueness of his calling in life. That uniqueness involved the summons to preach the gospel.