Neil Shenvi-Critical Theory is incompatible with Christianity

“Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology-Implications for the Church and Society” by Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer (Harvest House Publishers)

It’s easy to dismiss CRT, queer theory, trans-rights and so forth as meaningless nonsense, liberal vs conservative sparring, or political correctness gone amok. However, it is “rooted in a coherent, comprehensive and increasingly influential set of ideas that emerge from a broad academy of knowledge known as critical social theory”. Its origins are Marxist; it has become a non-biblical response to racism.

“Critical race theory is an area of knowledge created to challenge and interrogate the ways in which race, racism, racial power, and white supremacy are constructed and manifested, specifically in legal culture and more broadly in society. There is no static, fixed canon of dogma or methodologies of CRT.” It claims that racism is endemic, normal, permanent and pervasive, concealed beneath ideas like colorblindness, meritocracy, individualism, neutrality and objectivity; that “lived experience” is critical to understanding racism; and that it one of many interlocking systems of oppression, including sexism, classism, and heterosexism.” Christians are called to pursue biblical justice, but critical theory dismisses the Bible and Christian faith. Critical Theory is a challenge on much deeper levels than politics; it’s a new theological system. It proclaims the world is composed of the oppressed and the oppressors, and the way to “salvation” is through works.

 We American Christians are called to address the shameful history of racism in our nation. We are not the only people who struggle with it, but it is at odds with our foundational documents. Likewise, we must address the explosion of belief that human beings are not binary (when all of science insists we are.)

It’s obvious that “queer theory” and “trans theory” are not supported by the Bible, as there are many verses there directly show the danger. The authors warn that “CRT is poisoned meat, incompatible with Christianity in its core commitments.” They add, “to be clear, we are not asking you to stop caring about racism, sexism, abuse or injustice. We’re merely appealing to you to recognize that contemporary critical theory redefines many of these terms based on a view of reality that is at fundamental odds with what Scripture teaches.”

Of course, Christians are commanded to love as Jesus does, meeting us where we are. But He loves us too much to leave us drowning in our sin and deception. “Even if wokeness goes the way of bell bottoms and 8-track tapes, it has been leaving and will continue to leave a path of spiritual destruction in its wake.” That’s why this book is so important. The first part explains various critical social theories, looking to history and academia for origins. The second part shows the “manifold conflicts between contemporary critical theory and Christianity. In the third part (they) show a way forward for Christians.”