Guests: Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer, experts in critical theory. They discuss the rise and implications of critical theory, its clash with biblical justice, defining oppression and privilege, and the compatibility of critical theory with Christianity. Their book, 'Critical Dilemma', offers insights on identifying and combating critical theory in the church.
Critical theory views society as divided into oppressor and oppressed groups based on race, class, gender, and more, but the Christian perspective emphasizes justice based on biblical principles rather than solely dismantling societal norms.
Sin and oppressive behavior are not limited to any specific racial group, debunking the critical theory's association between whiteness and oppression.
Deep dives
Defining Critical Theory and Social Justice
Critical Theory encompasses various branches of knowledge like critical race theory, clear theory, post-colonial theory, and critical social theory. It views society as divided into oppressor and oppressed groups based on race, class, gender, and more. Social justice, according to critical theory, involves tearing down the norms, values, systems, and structures that perpetuate this social binary. However, the Christian perspective emphasizes that justice should be based on biblical principles and not solely on the dismantling of societal norms.
The Concept of Whiteness and its Societal Connotations
Critical theorists associate whiteness with notions of genocide, oppression, and white supremacy. Whiteness is seen as a social construct that perpetuates systems of power and marginalizes non-white individuals. However, this perspective fails to acknowledge that oppressive actions and ideas are not limited to any specific racial group. Sin and oppressive behavior are ubiquitous across all ethnicities, making it incorrect to attribute oppressive tendencies solely to whiteness.
Equity vs. Equality
Critical theory advocates for equity over equality. While equality treats everyone the same, equity seeks to treat different groups differently, based on the idea that society is not starting on an equal playing field. However, critical theorists tend to overlook the multiple factors that contribute to disparate outcomes, such as geography, family structure, talents, and choices. The idea of equal outcome disregards individual differences and ignores the complex nature of human experiences and circumstances.
The Distinction Between the Gospel and Social Justice
Critical theorists often argue that social justice is inherently connected to the gospel. However, the gospel should not be confused with social justice, as the gospel centers around the good news of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. While the gospel should motivate Christians to pursue justice, justice is a response to the gospel, not the gospel itself. It is important to maintain a clear distinction between the message of salvation and the actions we undertake as a result of our faith.
Has anyone at your church ever claimed that "whiteness is wickedness", "sin is oppressive", or "the Bible was written from the perspective of the oppressed?" Outlandish statements like these are a product of what's called critical theory. You've increasingly heard the term used in the media within recent years, but what exactly is critical theory, why is it harmful, and how do you address it if it's present at your church?
In this week's podcast, Dr. Neil Shenvi and Dr. Pat Sawyer join Frank to unpack the good and the bad of critical theory as detailed in their brand-new book, 'Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and Society.' During the episode, Frank, Neil, and Pat answer questions like:
How do proponents of critical theory view morality?
What is the distinction between "Social Justice" and biblical justice?
Is Oprah Winfrey oppressed?
What are some of critical theory's popular slogans?
Is CRT compatible with biblical Christianity?
What are the "4 Big Ideas" at the heart of critical theory?
The Gospel should motivate Christians to pursue generosity, holiness, and biblical justice. But we don't have to embrace the manifold errors of critical theory to do so. Be sure to pick up your copy of Critical Dilemma to learn more about how to identify critical theory in your church and how to stop it dead in its tracks if and when it shows up!
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Neil's website: https://shenviapologetics.com/
Pat's website: https://www.patsawyer.org/
Neil and Pat's book: https://criticaldilemma.com/
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