In A Testament Of Hope Edited by James Washington we are thoroughly informed of Martin Luther King Jr.'s theory of non violence. King breaks down this theory into many elements that illustrate the practice of Non-Violence. Non-violence was enforced through Christian teachings by Muhammad Gandhi and practiced by King in hopes to put an end to race crimes.
King naturally took the teachings of Christianity and incorporated into a method to promote peace. Love is also a part of Christianity. It is not the love we naturally associate with romance ( eros) , or reciprocal love, (philias) but rather a love that has to be brought up out of you under negative circumstances. The Greek word Agape is just that,which is the tactic being used in nonviolence. In his teachings King would often state " God is love,he who loves is a participant in the being of God' (Washington pg.11). The Christianity theory is based on the belief that a Christian man or woman must not use violence or contain bitterness inside of them. That they must love one another unconditionally no matter how bad others treat you.
This of course is only the main idea of what Non-Violence represents. There are other elements inside this theory that challenges the oppressed to establish a new way of thinking.That the oppressor is not the enemy. The fight should not be based on black vs white but of good and evil.
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