The Power of "Soul Force" by Joshua Ruesch

 My paper on "Soul Force." It hasn't yet been graded, but I thought I might as well share it here. ;)

          My Brothers and Sisters of the latter days, the power of the people was once like a colossal castle next to the modest cow-shed of a presidency. For years, the people were the preeminent power in the United States. But over the years, that has changed. Now, the sovereignty of American society has switched places with the government, making the citizens a simple stable next to a substantial skyscraper. Through the years, many voices have risen against this government, but few have been heard.

One of those chosen few who rose and was heard, who cherished virtue and led with faith, who fought with love rather than the icy disposition of hatred was Martin Luther King Jr. This man, this herald to the United States of America, took on the angry flame of segregation and combatted it with “Soul Force” (RSS 1). This “Soul Force” of King’s was a liberating concept in the mid-20th century. Based on Gandhi’s inspiring principle of “Satyagraha,” “Soul Force” was the concept of non-violent rebellion from a power-deprived people (RSS 2). Gandhi,  who was one of King’s greatest heroes and influences upon this earth once said (Pastan 1):

Non-violence is an active force of the highest order. It is "Soul Force" or the power of Godhead within us. Imperfect man cannot grasp the whole of that Essence—he would not be able to bear its full blaze, but even an infinitesimal fraction of it, when it becomes active within us, can work wonders.

The sun in the heavens fills the whole universe with its life-giving warmth. But if one went too near it, it would consume him to ashes. Even so it is with Godhead. We become Godlike to the extent we realize non-violence; but we can never become wholly God (mkgandhi).

Gandhi was one of the most memorable administrators of “Soul Force” in the history of the world. In the year 1930, Gandhi began a great march now remembered as the “Salt March.” In this dignified use of  “Satyagraha” or “Soul Force,” the great Gandhi led a march to the coast of the Indian Ocean. Britain had made an oppressive law proclaiming that the Indian people could only buy and trade salt with Britain. They could not even get salt from their own country. Gandhi rebelled using “Soul Force,” and after the long, dry and hot march to the cool of the ocean, he picked up a natural lump of salt from the ground. By doing so, he broke British law (A Force More Powerful). Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, but his name is known and praised throughout the world, and he is often seen as the very image of peace.

Now, Gandhi and King were not the only great men to use "Soul Force" in their attempts. No, many men used this great and wondrous principle of liberty. One individual from this long list of men is King’s namesake: Martin Luther.

According to KDG Wittenberg, Luther, the founder of the Lutheran church, used this  principle in establishing his religion upon the earth. He did this by writing 95 theses and posting them on the Catholic Church door. These theses supported the doctrine he believed to be true. Though he received many threats from the Pope and other members of the Catholic religion, Luther was never harmed by these fellow men of God. His rebellious acts never led to violence, and in the modern days, there are well over 2 million members of the Lutheran church (Wittenberg).

Another of the great illustrations of "Soul Force" was employed by Alma the Younger, from the Book of Mormon. After a great war of words with the Anti-Christ Korihor, Alma began to notice that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord. The Nephites, Alma’s people, feared that the Zoramites would come into correspondence with the Lamanites, their mortal enemies. Dreading war, Alma writes this:

And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God (Alma 31.5).

Alma became known as one of the greatest prophets of his time.

The last, but greatest and most powerful example, is that of Christ himself. He said the following:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (KJV Matt. 5.43-45).”

Christ bore through the persecution given to him without a fight. He brought that love to his grave and was resurrected on the third day of his death. However, there was a time when even Christ showed signs of violence:

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (KJV Matt 21.12-13).

Christ’s example shows us when it is okay to be violent, without bloodshed. The moneychangers, in their manners inside the mansion of the Master of Souls, showed a meagerness of reverence toward Him. Christ, therefore, in protection of His Father’s house, showed a level of violence toward the moneychangers. It is crucial to know when it is acceptable to be violent, and when it is not.

John Brown was violent without necessary means. Brown was an Abolitionist before the Civil War in the Americas. In his attacks, Brown killed many people. His actions were only some of the trigger events leading to the Civil War. His actions were uncalled-for, and he was later hanged for his crimes (Civil War Trust).

Malcolm X was another influential leader who held influence on the Negroes of America at the same time Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X didn’t believe in the same principle of "Soul Force" as Martin Luther King Jr. In fact, he said this:

Concerning nonviolence: It is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself, when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks. It is legal and lawful to own a shotgun or a rifle. We believe in obeying the law (By Any Means).

Malcolm X inspired Blacks to take their freedom by violent means. This led to many unnecessary deaths. However, through the end, King admired and respected the man, and mourned at his passing (Pastan 2).

Both John Brown and Malcolm X used violence in such cases where it was not necessary. On occasion, however, it does become necessary to put into action that violence which you must try your hardest to avoid.

Our Founding Fathers are an example of this. In the beginning, they tried to use nonviolent means to gain their freedom at the Boston Tea Party in 1773. But Britain and its arrogant manner began to use brutality upon them. American blood was shed, and our Founding Fathers did what they had to do to protect their country. They fought back. This famous dispute is now known as the American “Revolutionary War.” America fought for her freedom and won; The bells of liberty rang that wonderful day in 1783. Freedom and enlightenment were had, and joyous shouts were heard throughout the country (Independence Hall Association).

In late 19th-century America the South, with its slaves, was ready to secede from the United States and become its own country. Lincoln, the President of the United States at the time, didn’t want to let that happen, and knew that nonviolent means would not help his cause. So began the Civil War; a tug-of-war which lasted for 4 years, with the strain of the South seceding pulling tight on the rope of liberty. But Lincoln and the Northern states pulled harder. Eventually, the South and slavery were thrown into the mud and took years to recover from the bitter loss. Modern America still has a South, and no slaves (U.S. National Parks Service).

Brothers and Sisters of the Modern Era, as the moral values of our motherland—our country—decline, let us fight. But let us fight peacefully. Let us fight with love. Let us fight with passion. Let us fight with charity toward all; with malice toward none. Let us once again “be able to sit at the table of brotherhood” (King 1). Let us fight for that “oasis of freedom and justice” (King 2). Let us use our “Soul Force” in all situations, and if the government will not comply, let us pray. Let us pray for peace. Let us pray for charity. And if it is the will of the Lord that the people of America should rise in violence, then let it be done. Let us fight to our last breath “With liberty and justice for all” (Bellamy)!

Date Posted: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2016 by Joshua Ruesch