Thread by @JoshDaws

Critical Theory, as applied by Christians, is a sophisticated way of binding consciouses. A thread. #sbc19 1/

Believers are commanded to love our neighbors and do good works. In the application of that, we have a virtually unlimited number of options. Soup kitchens, crisis pregnancy centers. working to end sex trafficking or abortion, foster care, etc. 2/

God lays different burdens on each of our hearts. As an advocate for any particular cause, part of the work is to persuade others to join the effort. 3/

This is challenging because we all have limited time, energy, and resources. Advocates have to convince others that their cause is the one they should commit them to. 4/

The causes most successful in this work present clearly defined problems with concrete solutions. i.e. abortion, sex trafficking, foster care, clean water projects, food banks, etc. 5/

In our justice-oriented culture, issues involving injustice draw more support than issues that would have traditionally been categorized as opportunities to exercise mercy. This is why we have seen a shift in recent years to categorize just about everything as “doing justice.” 6/

In decades past, the civil rights movement was an excellent example of a cause with clearly defined problems and solutions. Jim Crow laws were clearly unjust and overturning them was a strong rallying cry. 7/

Conversely, causes that lack clearly defined problems and concrete solutions find it much more difficult to garner support. Reducing poverty might be a worthwhile aim, but there is no agreed upon cause or solution. 8/

Reducing racial disparities falls into this category. It’s definitely a worthwhile goal. However, it’s an amorphously defined problem in that (unlike the past) there are no specific laws identified as the cause. As a result, there are no concrete solutions. 9/

It can be incredibly frustrating trying to convince others to care about an issue that you’re passionate about when many don’t quite understand the problem or see any solutions. This is the reality for many brothers and sisters primarily concerned with racial disparities. 10/

Enter Critical Theory. CT offers a way of understanding the world that overcomes these difficulties. 11/

Under CT, any disparities are clear evidence of systems of oppression at work. The problem is more clearly defined with the certainty of CT. Beyond that, the problem is made personal by implicating members of majority culture in perpetuating these systems of oppression 12/

CT not only converts racial disparities into a matter of injustice but of personal injustice. To not join the cause is to be complicit. “It’s not enough to *not* be racist, you must be anti-racist.” 13/

If accepted, that’s powerful motivation to join the cause, but there’s still the lack of concrete solutions to deal with. Critical Theory has that covered too. 14/

Since these disparities are the result of systems of oppression, the systems themselves need to be dismantled. CT provides a lot of suggestions for what that might mean, but the most common application is to do the work of educating others to the truth as understood by CT 15/

It’s in this way that CT is often compared to a secular religion.

Problem: we are all complicit in systems of oppression (guilt)

Solution: acknowledge our guilt and do the work of educating others about their guilt and calling them to the same work (repentance + works) 16/

Like a religion, Critical Theory interprets any disagreement or questioning of the CT understanding of the world as evidence that you’re just unwilling to repent and aren’t converted (woke). 17/

This can be a successful method for recruiting people to your cause. Whatever the issue, Christians should resist the temptation to employ such methods. It might “work”, but we’re forbidden from binding consciouses and should avoid such pragmatism. 18/

Those of us that reject CT should recognize how other believers might be drawn to what it offers them. We should listen with charity to concerns about disparities and be open to discussing actual solutions. 19/

CT is becoming the reigning worldview. Most Christians aren’t aware. Some have adopted it unwittingly. Let’s have grace in these discussions. We should make it clear that a concern about CT is not a lack of concern with racial disparities or racism. 20/

That’s a VERY basic explanation of *how* Critical Theory is utilized by Christians. Check out the work of @NeilShenvi and @RealPatSawyer for a more thorough investigation of the specifics of CT. 21/21