Conservatives have recently found a new boogeyman—Critical Theory. Even Mr. Trump has issued an executive order declaring Critical Theory to be “anti-American,” and last week the presidents of six Southern Baptist seminaries said critical theory is incompatible with Christianity.
Their statement, however, never defined what Critical Theory is nor what makes it unchristian. Theologian David Fitch is back to talk about the controversy and offers a more thoughtful way to assess which aspects of Critical Theory are useful, and not so useful, for Christians. Kaitlyn Schiess is also back with Phil and Skye to talk about the SBC’s response, and why white evangelicals see some evils as personal (racism) and others as systemic (abortion)? Are there similar inconsistencies on the political left as well? Also this week: Portland pastor Rick McKinley says nationalism with Jesus’ face is the religion of white Christians. That’s not too risky to say in Portland, but what if you’re a pastor in Dallas? Plus, can we please stop sharing “unspoken” prayer requests?
“...so even King resorted to a form of coercive power in order to change the system…”
The Montgomery bus boycott was "coercive"? If a company acts immorally, and I do not give it my support, then I have acted coercively? It's ironic that Skye ended on that note, because I thought critical theory was developed to show the corrupt nature of that kind of logic.
Love all of you and hearing these perspectives! Very beneficial for me - I live in the heart of East Texas... we are surrounded heavily by SBC and It’s basically Trump country.
This is really not of importance, but it stuck out to me when believing in ‘science’ was brought up - it is definitely not the left that is overwhelmingly a part of the vaccine choice movement. I’ve been a part of the movement for about 8 years (and have established relationships with hundreds of similar families so I have a first hand look at the demographics and political persuasion of the movement) after my sons medical doctor recommended not vaccinating him based on his genetic makeup - there…
Thank you for another great episode! And, on an unrelated note: any chance that you could give a few of your top book recommendations from this year--sometime before Christmas for us procrastinating gift shoppers who are stumped on what to get for our family members? :) I know you've made SO many recommendations, but I feel like I've forgotten most of them!
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James Emery White in his Church and Culture blog today(12/10/2020) is a good read about CRT and the statement made by SBC Seminary presidents.
I am glad that there was an episode that brought up CRT as I think it's important to understand as it is an underlying framework to a lot of discussion outside of and in the church these days. I agree that using it as a bogeyman to shut down conversation, rather than the church offering solutions to combat racism, certainly doesn't build our witness or help us as Christians figure out how to live faithfully. I agree that the SBC statement should define what they mean by CRT, but I'm afraid this episode fell into the same issue by not clearly defining CRT in either the group discussion or interview. I know it's hard to define, but using a CRT…