Black Internationalism's Political Theology: Martin Luther King Jr. on Boycotts and War Abolition in the World House

This paper reconstructs Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of global justice by examining the political theology underlying his positions on war abolition and international boycotts. While recent scholarship emphasizes King’s political thought, this paper argues that his theological imagination remains central to understanding his approach to global justice. Against portrayals of King as merely a latecomer to war abolition, an absolute pacifist, or Christian realist, the paper situates his views within a distinct tradition of African American Protestant Liberalism and its internationalist vision for global justice. The paper reconstructs King’s account of war abolition and international boycotts and the theological commitments that shaped his arguments. It concludes with a critical assessment of the tensions, problems, and contemporary relevance of King’s political theology.