Today — April 4, 2018 — is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Ironically, it is also the day that The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., planned to host a training session called “Christian Privilege: But Our Founding Fathers Were All Christian, Right?!”

(The school reportedly took the program off its website early this morning.)

But whether that seminar went forward or not, the anniversary of Dr. King’s death serves as a powerful rebuttal to the misguided arrogance conveyed in the title of that training session.

Were it not for Christianity and biblical values, we wouldn’t be pausing to commemorate the death of the Christian reverend who sparked one of the most powerful and necessary movements in world history. Were it not for Dr. King’s strong faith and knowledge of the Bible, we might all still be waiting for the courage to face one of our nation’s darkest plights: racism.

No doubt, racism still rages in America — but it was biblical truth that lit the fire in Dr. King’s heart, compelling him to stand up and speak out when people of color were being silenced.

We should all find it disturbing that Christianity is being so vehemently demonized these days in America. It’s time for people of faith to take a page out of Dr. King’s book and be vocal because truth is under assault. Once truth is gone, so will go our great nation.

Hatred and division are masterfully disguised as love and tolerance, in the name of unity and inclusion. There is a place for everyone — that is, unless you embrace the Bible and Jesus Christ.

Enough is enough. We as believers should not sit back, shrugging our shoulders as if there is nothing we can do about it. Yes, it is risky and will be challenging. We will face backlash — but that shouldn’t stop us. Dr. King faced immense danger, yet he still stood up for truth because he knew it was what God was calling him to do, and it was the only way things would change.

Dr. King faced immense danger, yet he still stood up for truth because he knew it was what God was calling him to do, and it was the only way things would change.

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Are you a Christian? It’s time to rise and shine like never before. Not just on Sunday mornings in the safety of our church buildings — but in the marketplaces, classrooms, offices and neighborhoods.

Real faith — and the courage by which it is demonstrated — is contagious. A contagion of courageous faith is exactly what our nation needs at this very hour. Why not ask God to help you stand and deliver?

Michael Anthony is author of “A Call For Courage: Living with Power, Truth, and Love in An Age of Intolerance and Fear.” He’s also a speaker and blogger and the lead pastor of Grace Fellowship in York, Pennsylvania.

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