Thread by @RettCopple

We do not cross-examine culture with another culture.

Neither do we cross-examine scripture with culture.

Rather we cross-examine all things, including culture, with scripture.

@ShaiLinne is asserting standpoint epistemology. A foundational element of CRT.

What does Paul do in Acts 17?

He exposes that the Greek's understanding of deity is entirely backwards.

God doesn't need to be served by human hands, rather it's "in Him that we live and move and breathe and have our being."

We need God, not the other way around.

Was Paul guilty of being captivated by a system of Jewish superiority?

Of course not, that's absurd.

This is the same Paul that rebuked Peter for the sin of partiality in favor of Jewish over Gentile brothers.

The sociologist will protest thus...

"But Paul does quote the Greek poets!"

Yes he does, but to what purpose? To deconstruct what was then a predominately Jewish religion? No, rather to appeal to their understanding of natural law in affirming the revelation of God *to them.*

The message of Acts 17 isn't that the pagan Greek Philosophers could teach the Apostles a thing or two about the faith.

It was that the Pagan Greek philosophers had no excuse for "the time of ignorance God overlooked but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

Similar commentary can be produced concerning Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman.

A lot is said about how he broke with Jewish custom even in talking with her. Yes he did, as Paul did when he rebuked Peter for Jewish partiality.

But wait, there's more...

Jesus literally tells her that the Samaritans are wrong. Their culture is wrong. That they are ignorant and don't know God. Also, that the Jews are right.

"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews."

-John 4:22

Furthermore, concerning the mandate of a multiculturalism in the local church...

Those attempting to bind consciences with this extra-biblical law must wrestle with Acts 6 where Hellenistic jews were ordained as deacons to serve their own after a complaint was made.

Here's a good breakdown of the Acts 6 situation from my friend @scipio_lucius

thereformedconservative.org/race-counselin…

Arguing against mandated multi-culturalism is not the same thing as arguing for mandated segregation.

I am not arguing against multiculturalism or segregation.

I am arguing against extra-biblical mandates.

I am arguing against legalism that flows from epistemological error

Shai mentions the "political lense we had before opening the Bible."

I am glad he agrees that the Bible has something to say politically, and therefore is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" on this regard as well.

The reason critical theory has found such a foothold is that much of evangelicalism has been taught for years that it is important to be apolitical for the sake of unity in the gospel.

Thus creating the space for deconstructionists to develop the Church's political theology.

In short, we were told to "just preach the gospel" for so long that most of the church is ignorant of the reformed political theology that includes sphere sovereignty, protestant resistance theory, & historical two-kingdom theology (as opposed to the R2k position of today).

When modern Christians say we are not to be distracted by politics for the sake of unity but then turn around and say we are to pursue justice as defined by the sociologists and vain philosophies of our day, they are creating a schizophrenic church body.

"Justice" per Romans 13 is the ministry of God's deacon, the civil magistrate.

Thus a call to "pursue justice" is inescapably a call to political activism. The partisan flavor of which will be defined by who gets to define justice.

The church has two genuine mandates in the great commission. Preach the gospel *and* disciple the nations.

A false multicultural mandate for the local church leads to compromise and is antithetical to true discipleship.

We see that everywhere today.

Want to reach feminists? Embrace egalitarianism.

Want to reach blacks? Embrace critical race theory.

Want to reach the youth? Embrace socialism.

Want to reach the Greeks? Embrace Zeus, Poseidon, & Hades.

It is the mandate of the church to disciple believers away from vain philosophies of men like egalitarianism, critical theory, & socialism.

Developing a robust and systematic political theology is a part of discipleship which is a part of our mandate in the great commission.

Conservativism of God's law and Christian culture in society and in all spheres of God-ordained government (family, church, & state) is the Biblical systematic political theology.

Limited government is founded upon God who ordains government and sets it's limitations.

And now I shall quote American poets...

For even our founding document acknowledges that "rights" are "endowed by our Creator." More theistic than explicitly Christian, all to make room for those pesky deists, but I'll take it and here's why...

Even though the deists and their infatuation with Hume laid futile soil for the militant secular totalitarianism we are living through today, it took a great deal of time before that cancerous seed was planted here.

Prior to that much of our law system was lifted from Deuternomy

As @douglaswils says. "Trial by jury is an accomplishment of the Holy Spirit."

And here's the rub.

Critical theory is a deconstructionist movement. Conservativism seeks to preserve. Thus the two are mortal enemies. One seeks to destroy what the other protects.

And just in case the objection is, you are being hyperbolic. Critical theory doesn't go that far.

Here is an image from the Smithsonian from last year. The supposed best and brightest of AA studies is represented here. Take a note at what makes their hit list.

Critical theory is an ideology.

Ideologies don't come packaged with a break system. They only know one direction and one speed.

Their demands are unconditional surrender. Which, consequently, is also the condition for ending a war.

CRT is an ideological declaration of war.