Sermons on Martin Luther King Jr.

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On Monday, January 16, we celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was an activist and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Known for his use of nonviolent disobedience, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Today we honor him and his advancement in civil rights that has provided the freedoms we have today.

The Seminary Archives contains two sermons from the collections of Rev. Robert W. Koons and Rev. Herman G. Stuempfle that address the tragic event that unfolded on April 4, 1968. These are available to read and download in PDF format in our Seminary Archives Digital Collections which can be found by clicking here under "Sermons."

Rev. Koons addresses the Holy Trinity Church in Lynchburg, VA with the question, "Do you think there is racism in Lynchburg?" and praises Dr. King as an "advocate of non-violence, and of human rights, and of reverence for the truth of God's Word which makes free."
Rev. Koons sermon, "The Church That Makes God Sick" can be read in full here.

Rev. Stuempfle mentions that "we live in a scarred world. And a scarred world is no place for an unscarred God. But whatever else He may be, our God is not unscarred."
Rev. Stuempfle's sermon, "Isaiah 53" can be read in full here.

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As we take this day to remember Dr. King, it's important to honor his accomplishments and apply his principals in the present day.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
-Martin Luther King Jr.

Want to learn more about Seminary Archives holdings or Gettysburg Seminary History? Contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717- 339-1317.