Critical Theory, Social Justice, and Christianity: Are They Compatible?

[Yooper]

For those interested in this topic:

The link (below) goes to what is probably best described as an intro. And it provides links to the main work (written and videos) being discussed in the "intro" article.

Posted w/o comment as I am still working through it all.... Here's a snippet, though, of the main thesis (to help you decide if it's worth your time; as some may consider the entirety TL;DR):

At a conference earlier this year, he [Shenvi] delivered a message titled “Critical Theory, Social Justice, and Christianity: Are They Compatible?” Shenvi shows that critical theory (along with its larger social justice project) is an alternative worldview that is incompatible with Christianity. It is really well done, thorough, and devastating to the claims of critical theory.

What makes his critiques effective is that he is fair with the viewpoints he opposes. He defines terms and doesn't caricature opponents—two items that are often lacking in some conversations about social justice. He is more interested in light than heat.

He has made the video of these talks available (see above) as well as his manuscript.

Link: "Critical Theory, Social Justice, and Christianity: Are They Compatible?"

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[stgislander]

For a guy not bright enough to understand the Mueller Report, you sure have a wild reading list.

 

[Yooper]

For a guy not bright enough to understand the Mueller Report, you sure have a wild reading list.

Thank you?

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[stgislander]

Sorry... forgot the sarcasm thingy.

 

[Yooper]

Sorry... forgot the sarcasm thingy.

That's okay. No worries, mein Kamerad.

May not be smart enough for the Mueller Report, but smart enough to know that ^^^^. At least I think I am (AI, you know, is a tricky thing!).

Prost!

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[GURPS]

Who Knew ... Western Theology is 'White'

On the other hand, Christians should be wary of the sweeping (and vague) claim that we should ‘liberate our theology from privileged groups’

What does that mean? Where do we draw the line? Should we jettison ‘white theology’ for ‘black theology’? Which ‘white theology’ and which ‘black theology’? Should we jettison the white theology of John Piper or Joel Osteen? Should we embrace the black theology of Voddie Bauckam or Creflo Dollar? Should we jettison ‘Western theology’? Should we jettison the ‘Eurocentric’ creeds of the Reformation and embrace the liberation theology of South America? Should we supplement the Bible with other spiritual books written by female authors, since the biblical writers were all men? If we’re hesitant to embrace these ideas, then we should question the very premise on which this enterprise rests.

While we can indeed benefit from the study of multiple perspectives, we can’t assume that oppressed groups are correct by virtue of their oppression or that dominant groups are wrong by virtue of their privilege. Rather than trying to find theological beliefs that aren’t tainted by privilege, Christians should be committed to determining which theological beliefs are objectively true because they are taught by Scripture, regardless of their origin.

 

[vraiblonde]

I didn't read it, just skimmed the posts on here, so my comment may or may not have anything to do with the subject:

"Privileged" groups weren't born that way; they became that way. But instead of emulating success, the trend is to bring successful societies down to meet the underachievers at the bottom. Equality not by bringing people up, but by tamping others down.

It's like the prog media having the vapors because Trump called global shitholes "shitholes". And Nancy Pelosi insisting that violent depraved gangs are "children of God". They laud the worst of our world, and disparage the best. I'm guessing this is a global domination thing: more people for the self-appointed elite to rule over.

 

[Yooper]

I posted because this is a central "battle" in Western/American (mostly) high church denominations. It speaks to the current divide in the United Methodists, but also to the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, several Lutheran groups, etc. And even percolating "down" (so to speak) to the Southern Baptists.

Still not offering any comment on the theology, etc; want to finish before I do. I will say that this is also what is killing the mental health profession (and is even making strong inroads into medicine).

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[Yooper]

"Privileged"

This is such a false construct that it is painful. Not "privilege" in and of itself, but the application of it. Same silliness when we talk issues like "dominant culture." Such crap, because, of course, there is both. So what? It's like arguing against gravity: fat people like me don't like it, but are there any helpful solutions in abolishing it? Of course not; and the dangers of no gravity are far worse (if we want to go all scientific).

These SJW folks are playing fast and loose. They want to replace all of this with "whatever, fill in the blank" fully well knowing that the exact same dynamics will go back into place after the "revolution." But with them in charge.

That's the essential essence of all of this: power.

Ask the Russians who lived through their Revolution and under Lenin, Stalin, etc. if it was worth it. Other than the first gen true believers the answer would be a resounding no. Or the Venezuelans. or North Koreans. Or anyone supposedly living in a non-privileged, egalitarian construct. They will tell you there was no such thing: neither egalitarian, nor privilege (except for those who were ruling/running things "In The Name Of The People"). So ironic. So stupid. Amazing "we" keep falling for the same BS over and over again.

Why I keep saying, "READ 'Animal Farm'!" Orwell got it exactly correct. Pigs and all.

--- End of line (MCP)

 

[vraiblonde]

Why I keep saying, "READ 'Animal Farm'!" Orwell got it exactly correct. Pigs and all.

He also got Nineteen-Eighty-Four right. Orwell was probably the most astute social observer in history.

Which is interesting because he was an originator of the idea of "democratic socialism", even though his major writings warn against the outcome of it. I'm guessing he had something different in mind than what AOC/etc are peddling.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

"Critical Theory, Social Justice, and Christianity: Are They Compatible?"

Well, let's see. Simplifying the problem set, we can reduce the question to "Some Made-up Nonsense, Some Other Made-up Nonsense, and An Ancient Mythology: Are They Compatible?" I see no problem with compatibility here, although a case could be made for incompatibility if it were posited that an antipathy for nonsense were a basic tenet of Christianity.

 

[GURPS]

Why I keep saying, "READ 'Animal Farm'!" Orwell got it exactly correct. Pigs and all.

He also got Nineteen-Eighty-Four right. Orwell was probably the most astute social observer in history.

You should read Homage to Catalonia -

Orwell Fought in the Party of Marxist Unity Militia in the Spanish Civil War and was damn near killed by a shot to the neck on the front lines, and barely got out of Spain alive as Stalin had the NKVD rounding up member of ANY group opposed to the Specific Communist Group Stalin wanted supported. No one knew the time it was the NKVD .... everyone assumed it was some subset of Spanish Communist 'Police'

it was a real Fluster Cluck