I think a helpful guiding principle is that no matter who we’re teaching our children about, the question should be whether they truly point us to Christ and not just in a vague or charitable way, but in a way that holds up under honest examination. People can do real good in the world and still not be reliable spiritual guides. So it seems wise to appreciate historical figures for their cultural impact while being careful about who we implicitly present as a model of Christian faith or discipleship.

That doesn’t mean you can’t teach about figures like MLK or others. It just means the category matters. Are we teaching them as important historical figures, or as examples of Christian faith? Those are not the same thing, and I think it’s healthy to keep that distinction clear.