Thesis Peer Review
Thesis Statement: Both John Wesley and Martin Luther King remain outstanding figures in history on grounds of their unprecedented commitment to religious reforms and antagonistic approach to unfair socio-political practices.
Background and Ideologies of John Wesley
John Wesley ahs contributed to the development of Methodism. He was a parish priest is Savannah, Georgia before he was ordained as a deacon in 1725. He converted back to become a Christian and resolved to keep God’s law as sacredly as possible to the best of his abilities. However, Wesley faced persecutions when he decided to actively participate in lay preaching. Wesley, along with other Methodists experienced persecution from the magistrates and the clergy for many issues. As a form of protest, Wesley questioned the church regulations of England regarding parish boundaries and the authority to preach. His speeches were considered as a social threat and caused the clergy to attack him during their actual sermons. In spite of these obstacles, Wesley and his supporters continued with their mission to help the needy and neglected people.
Background and Ideologies of Martin Luther King
In the case of Martin Luther King, he was known in history as a pastor and the leader of the Civil Rights Movement in America. He was also an activist and humanitarian, who used his written works to serve as peaceful protest against any lawless violence committed in the society. As a Baptist minister, he believed in the power of words when he wrote the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to awaken the spirit of black Americans to oppose the corrupt practices of religious leaders, and has denied them of their rights. His non-violent strategy promoted spiritual unity among the people by using non-violent resistance, and abolish all racial barriers. He moved for the reconciliation of the white and black Americans.
Conclusion
Both Wesley and Luther King fought for the same cause. They had their ways to combat war against all forms of racism and human using non-violent means and resolving conflicts by advocating religious optimism against all forms of oppression and violence.
Potential Question of Readers:
What are the positive and negative traits of Wesley and Luther King which influenced American culture?
Works Cited:
Naphy, William G. The Protestant Revolution: From Martin Luther to Martin Luther
King Jr. New York. Random House, 2011. Print.
Tomkins, Stephen. John Wesley: A Biography. Oxford, England: Lion Publishing, 2003.
Print.
