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The Gospel Coalition on Critical Theory (a great primer)
Posted on 7/8/20 at 10:48 am
Posted on 7/8/20 at 10:48 am
There's some good advice here no matter who you are, like educating yourself before you speak, and engaging with specific arguments instead of presumptions. I cut a few paragraphs, but it's not a long read if you want to check out the article.
The Incombatibility of Critical Theory and Christianity
The Incombatibility of Critical Theory and Christianity
quote:
Over the last few years, new terms like “cisgender,” “intersectionality,” “heteronormativity,” “centering,” and “white fragility” have suddenly entered our cultural lexicon—seemingly out of nowhere. In reality, these words and concepts have been working their way through academia for decades, perpetuated by disciplines such as Post-Colonial Studies, Queer Theory, Critical Pedagogy, Whiteness Studies, and Critical Race Theory, among others. These fields can be placed within the larger discipline of “critical theory,” an ideology more popularly known as “cultural Marxism.”
But what is critical theory? And what should Christians think about it?
Modern critical theory views reality through the lens of power. Each individual is seen either as oppressed or as an oppressor, depending on their race, class, gender, sexuality, and a number of other categories. Oppressed groups are subjugated not by physical force or even overt discrimination, but through the exercise of hegemonic power—the ability of dominant groups to impose their norms, values, and expectations on society as a whole, relegating other groups to subordinate positions.
Understanding Critical Theory
First, not everything that critical theory affirms is false. Like almost any discipline, there are areas in which Christians should agree with critical theory. For example, critical race theorists affirm that race—as it has been defined historically and legally—is a social construct and not a concept legitimately rooted in human nature or human biology.
Second, the notion of hegemonic power is also legitimate. Christians have long recognized how various institutions can—intentionally or unintentionally—perpetuate ideas like secularism, naturalism, and relativism that create resistance to the gospel. Similarly, Christian parents have to fight against false standards of beauty and sexuality promulgated by the entertainment and advertising industries. These examples show hegemonic power in action, as the culture imbibes norms and values promoted by dominant institutions.
Third, critical theory functions as a worldview. It answers our most basic questions: Who are we? What is our fundamental problem? What is the solution to that problem? What is our primary moral duty? How should we live?
Christianity provides us with an overarching metanarrative that runs from creation to redemption: We are creatures made in God’s image, who have sinned against him, who need to be rescued through the atoning work of Jesus, and who are called to love both God and neighbor.
In contrast, critical theory is associated with a metanarrative that runs from oppression to liberation: We are members either of a dominant group or of a marginalized group with respect to a given identity marker. As such, we either need to divest ourselves of power and seek to liberate others, or we need to acquire power and liberate ourselves by dismantling all structures and institutions that subjugate and oppress. In critical theory, the greatest sin is oppression, and the greatest virtue is the pursuit of liberation.
Engaging Critical Theory
While critical theory is a serious and growing threat to the church, a few important admonitions are in order.
First, we should be careful and charitable in our language. On the one hand, Christians should be hesitant to throw around words like “intersectionality” or “white privilege” without taking the time to understand the ideology in which these concepts are embedded. On the other hand, the bare fact that someone talks about “oppression” or “social justice” isn’t remotely sufficient to conclude that they’ve embraced critical theory.
Here, basic rules of good dialogue are helpful: Avoid labels and name-calling. Engage with people’s explicit statements, not speculations about their hidden intentions. Attack ideas, not people. Ask questions. Speak truth in love (Eph. 4:15) with words full of grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6). In an increasingly tribalized and fractured culture, Christians should be known for graciousness toward those with whom they disagree, particularly those who profess faith in Christ.
Finally, we cannot overstate the importance of being directly acquainted with primary source material. Christians, in general, are woefully ill-equipped to accurately represent and critique critical theory because of relying too heavily on secondary sources. If we had to recommend just one book at the popular level that demonstrates critical theory in action, it would be Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility. It’s essential reading for anyone trying to understand the basic ideas and methods of critical theory.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:05 am to bayoubengals88
Good read. Thanks for sharing.
When having these sorts of discussions, it's very important to understand people in terms of the worldviews they espouse, because worldviews are lenses that people use to interpret reality. Attacking the argument without addressing the underlying worldview is like treating a symptom without addressing the disease.
When having these sorts of discussions, it's very important to understand people in terms of the worldviews they espouse, because worldviews are lenses that people use to interpret reality. Attacking the argument without addressing the underlying worldview is like treating a symptom without addressing the disease.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:12 am to FooManChoo
quote:Well said!
When having these sorts of discussions, it's very important to understand people in terms of the worldviews they espouse, because worldviews are lenses that people use to interpret reality. Attacking the argument without addressing the underlying worldview is like treating a symptom without addressing the disease.
I'm starting to wonder if there are three worldviews now. Originally I would have said there is only a Judeo-Christian worldview (proper theism) and an athiestic worldview (materialism).
But the critical race folks surely don't act like materialism is their worldview (though many of them are likely some kind of athiests). If materialism were in fact their worldview it would undercut their every thought and action.
Whatever worldview "it" is, it leaves no room for God, which just makes me think that those who espouse "it" are terribly inconsistent materialists, and there are only two worldviews after all.
What do you think?
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:30 am to bayoubengals88
quote:I completely disagree with this.
Like almost any discipline, there are areas in which Christians should agree with critical theory. For example, critical race theorists affirm that race—as it has been defined historically and legally—is a social construct and not a concept legitimately rooted in human nature or human biology.
Agreement on this point is a major concession at best and total capitulation at worst.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:39 am to bayoubengals88
The late Dr. Greg Bahnsen taught that there were three fundamental categories that all other worldviews fall under: materialism (only the material world exists), dualism (the material and immaterial exist), and a form of religious belief.
Obviously there are a lot of factors that go into a particular worldview but no matter what, a person's worldview will tend to fall into one of these three as the dominating force in how a person interprets reality.
The key is pointing out the underlying presuppositions inherent in a person's worldview and challenging them on why they believe what they believe and if they are living consistently with the logical conclusions of their worldview. Ultimately as Christians, we should be able to show the irrationality of a non-Christian worldview and the superiority of the Christian worldview in light of that, working towards a presentation of the Gospel that God uses to change hearts and minds according to His purpose.
The critical race folks certainly aren't being driven by a Christian worldview. I doubt many of them have a religious underpinning at the heart of it, especially with the Marxist ideology they are espousing. I would agree with you that it's likely that they have an atheistic, materialistic worldview that destroys objective moral reasoning, which results in their inconsistency and arbitrariness in their moral outrage.
If all that exists is matter in motion, there is no objective reason why it's "bad" to be oppressed any more than it's "bad" that a lion dominates other animals in the wild, using them for food at will. If we are the result of chemical reactions over long periods of time, we have no inherent value, and our value becomes completely arbitrary and subjective, meaning that adherents to critical race theory can be combated by simply responding with "so what?" Their worldview leads to incoherence and irrationality, which should be obvious to most people who see how they act and what "solutions" they propose.
Obviously there are a lot of factors that go into a particular worldview but no matter what, a person's worldview will tend to fall into one of these three as the dominating force in how a person interprets reality.
The key is pointing out the underlying presuppositions inherent in a person's worldview and challenging them on why they believe what they believe and if they are living consistently with the logical conclusions of their worldview. Ultimately as Christians, we should be able to show the irrationality of a non-Christian worldview and the superiority of the Christian worldview in light of that, working towards a presentation of the Gospel that God uses to change hearts and minds according to His purpose.
quote:The problem with a dualistic worldview is that there is no rational way to address how the world of matter (the material) and the world of ideas (the immaterial) come together and ultimately it is rationalized through a form of materialism, which basically reduces the worldview down to materialism, which is more aligned with your statement about leaving materialism and a religious form of worldview.
Whatever worldview "it" is, it leaves no room for God, which just makes me think that those who espouse "it" are terribly inconsistent materialists, and there are only two worldviews after all.
The critical race folks certainly aren't being driven by a Christian worldview. I doubt many of them have a religious underpinning at the heart of it, especially with the Marxist ideology they are espousing. I would agree with you that it's likely that they have an atheistic, materialistic worldview that destroys objective moral reasoning, which results in their inconsistency and arbitrariness in their moral outrage.
If all that exists is matter in motion, there is no objective reason why it's "bad" to be oppressed any more than it's "bad" that a lion dominates other animals in the wild, using them for food at will. If we are the result of chemical reactions over long periods of time, we have no inherent value, and our value becomes completely arbitrary and subjective, meaning that adherents to critical race theory can be combated by simply responding with "so what?" Their worldview leads to incoherence and irrationality, which should be obvious to most people who see how they act and what "solutions" they propose.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:39 am to bayoubengals88
The link just leads to a homepage, and not a specific article.
I'm interested in what the response would be from people who were both Christian and did work in theory. Jean-Luc Marion, Emmanuel Falque and John Deely are a couple that I know off the top of my head.
I'm interested in what the response would be from people who were both Christian and did work in theory. Jean-Luc Marion, Emmanuel Falque and John Deely are a couple that I know off the top of my head.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:40 am to FearlessFreep
quote:What percentage of genetic makeup qualifies a person to be a part of one "race" over another?
I completely disagree with this.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:43 am to FearlessFreep
quote:
I completely disagree with this.
Agreement on this point is a major concession at best and total capitulation at worst.
They spent more time agreeing with CRT than critiquing it and encouraged people to buy a book, thereby financially supporting this despicable movement.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 11:57 am to bayoubengals88
I was trying to talk some sense into a 22 year old who I have known since he was born.
He told me I didn't understand the movement.
Yeah, I do - I was exposed to critical legal theory some 30 years ago. I thought the professor just could not teach.
The truth is that postmodernism is just inherently incoherent. It's absolute garbage, and it's amazing it has any traction.
But, as silly as it is, it found fertile ground here.
One cannot understand what is happening to our nation without some understanding of postmodernism. You don't have to become an expert in it - attempting to do so would drive you mad. But, you need to know the origins of this insidious BS.
He told me I didn't understand the movement.
Yeah, I do - I was exposed to critical legal theory some 30 years ago. I thought the professor just could not teach.
The truth is that postmodernism is just inherently incoherent. It's absolute garbage, and it's amazing it has any traction.
But, as silly as it is, it found fertile ground here.
One cannot understand what is happening to our nation without some understanding of postmodernism. You don't have to become an expert in it - attempting to do so would drive you mad. But, you need to know the origins of this insidious BS.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 12:39 pm to FooManChoo
quote:
When having these sorts of discussions, it's very important to understand people in terms of the worldviews they espouse, because worldviews are lenses that people use to interpret reality. Attacking the argument without addressing the underlying worldview is like treating a symptom without addressing the disease.
Exactly. I had a conversation with a really good friend of mine that is strong in faith. He was completely against the flag change in Mississippi. His worldview was shaped by his father and grandfather, whose grandfather (my friends great-great grandfather) was a Confederate major that founded the town that he grew up in.
It wasn't until Ligon Duncan's essay that he saw that this was important. I've seen this guy go out of his way to help black people down on their luck. He's helped me deliver Christmas gifts to needy families. He isn't a racist. But his worldview shaped his view of the flag.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 12:43 pm to bayoubengals88
quote:
If materialism were in fact their worldview it would undercut their every thought and action.
That’s the feature of a lot of fun philosophical movements.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:26 pm to FearlessFreep
quote:I haven't thought enough about it. I suppose the biblical view is that there is one human race?
I completely disagree with this.
You disagree?
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:30 pm to FooManChoo
quote:That guy was a wonder on the debate stage.
The late Dr. Greg Bahnsen taught that there were three fundamental categories that all other worldviews fall under: materialism (only the material world exists), dualism (the material and immaterial exist), and a form of religious belief.
quote:This is why I posted something the a few days ago about wanting to hear a SJW justifying their thoughts and actions. It was not well received because it was not understood.
I would agree with you that it's likely that they have an atheistic, materialistic worldview that destroys objective moral reasoning, which results in their inconsistency and arbitrariness in their moral outrage.
If all that exists is matter in motion, there is no objective reason why it's "bad" to be oppressed any more than it's "bad" that a lion dominates other animals in the wild, using them for food at will. If we are the result of chemical reactions over long periods of time, we have no inherent value, and our value becomes completely arbitrary and subjective, meaning that adherents to critical race theory can be combated by simply responding with "so what?" Their worldview leads to incoherence and irrationality, which should be obvious to most people who see how they act and what "solutions" they propose.
So what kind of Presbyterian are you? PCA? You're obvioulsy a presup guy in the mold of Van Til and Frame.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:31 pm to anc
quote:Wow. Congrats to him for listening to reason. Ligon's (my chancellor and ceo) response was unbelievably well stated.
It wasn't until Ligon Duncan's essay that he saw that this was important. I've seen this guy go out of his way to help black people down on their luck. He's helped me deliver Christmas gifts to needy families. He isn't a racist. But his worldview shaped his view of the flag.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:41 pm to BRUNNIN4
quote:I don't think reading White Fragility is a bad idea for anyone. You've got to know the other side if you want to criticize it.
They spent more time agreeing with CRT than critiquing it and encouraged people to buy a book, thereby financially supporting this despicable movement.
As for majority agreement on behalf of TGC, I disagree.
There was half way agreement on some points, and total disagreement with all of Critical Race Theory's goals and conclusions (because they are antithetical to the gospel).
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:42 pm to bayoubengals88
quote:
When having these sorts of discussions, it's very important to understand people in terms of the worldviews they espouse, because worldviews are lenses that people use to interpret reality
That's the issue. The people that engage in critical theory tend to follow a postmodern relativistic approach, which is diametrically opposed to Christianity's view of objective Truth. Lived experiences are seen as the highest form of truth, which as we've seen, is entirely relative and based on interpretation. You basically have to continually redefine reality for it to hold water. The argument quickly collapses on itself if you keep peeling the layers off.
It's really an easy target. Establish that critical theory is relative, then ask, "Is it true that nothing is objectively true?"
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:45 pm to bayoubengals88
Christians (are Christ-Centered) and understand that submission of our power is made to Jesus, the one and true king first, not an ideology, or religion, not to a preacher, nor a world leader, nor any person or abstraction.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:47 pm to bayoubengals88
quote:
In critical theory, the greatest sin is oppression, and the greatest virtue is the pursuit of liberation. Engaging Critical Theory While critical theory is a serious and growing threat to the church
So, the church admits that it is an oppressive oppositional force to freedom.
Then it goes on to say that people wanting freedom is a threat to the church and offers advice on how to propagandize in order to help keep the church in a position of oppressive power.
Nice. Good to see things are going well for the worlds powerful.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 1:49 pm to anc
quote:Thank you for sharing that. It's a good example of how we, as sinners, are prone to adopt worldviews that are irrational or incoherent and can act inconsistently with what we profess to be true.
Exactly. I had a conversation with a really good friend of mine that is strong in faith. He was completely against the flag change in Mississippi. His worldview was shaped by his father and grandfather, whose grandfather (my friends great-great grandfather) was a Confederate major that founded the town that he grew up in.
It wasn't until Ligon Duncan's essay that he saw that this was important. I've seen this guy go out of his way to help black people down on their luck. He's helped me deliver Christmas gifts to needy families. He isn't a racist. But his worldview shaped his view of the flag.
A little introspection is good for everyone.
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