In the history of Western theology, there were various classical theories of how Jesus’ death brought redemption to humanity—none of them officially endorsed by the Christian church. King studied them in seminary.[39] But in the end King did not turn to them for answers. For him, the cross represented the depth of God’s love for suffering humanity, and an answer to the deadly cycle of violence and hatred. “The most astounding fact about Christ’s crucifixion is that it . . . [is] the supreme revelation of God’s love,” King said in a sermon called “Finding God.” “It is quite difficult to see the
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