Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each ot her; they don’t know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated. —MLK

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michaelrinehart

Bishop of the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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December 29, 2010

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3 thoughts on “Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each ot her; they don’t know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated. —MLK”

briangigee
December 31, 2010 at 9:19 am

Bishop Mike, a good quote from MLK… and there is some DNA truth about our ‘competitive’ nature and thus a contributor to the fear MLK points to.

When men do not have a common purpose they will target each other. Sport teams are good examples. When men have a common purpose, they will work together to achieve the goal. Sports teams are good examples.

So, if Jesus calls us (men, women and children) ‘friends’ what is the common purpose that we will all work together to achieve as friends of Jesus?

Perhaps then our work is help men discover that Jesus calls us friends and that friends seek common purposes… see you in Brenham in FEB… Jesus’ friends will be showing up… Gigee
michaelrinehart
December 31, 2010 at 9:48 am

Brian, this Is a good example of how language has changed, and why it needed to, to be more concise. I think MLK is using “men” in the generic sence, referring to “people” both male an female.

I had this conversation in an interview with KTRH last month on inclusive language and the Bible. I chose the text, “God created man in his own image.” does it mean men and only men? As in men are created in God’s image but not women? Or does it mean all human beings? Is the Hebrew aner or adam? Inclusive language is not just politically correct. It is more precise.
Brian Gigee
January 6, 2011 at 2:43 pm

Mike, thanks for your reply and I wasn’t trying to be non-inclusive in my response. .. re-emphasizing the point about the value of men’s ministry… but I think MLK did mean this comment to be about men as he would have said this in the 1960’s when men did rule at all levels… and he knew how to be inclusive and used ‘us’ and ‘all’ language to share his message where all people would be treated equally…

We should all learn a lesson from the folks in western PA…they just say “you-enses” and everyone knows it means everyone is included…