Four Reasons Christians Don't Need Critical Theory

First, Critical Theory explains reality based on group identities.  Being part of the oppressed, marginalized group is what matters most.  More importantly, Critical Theory appears to contend that such groups, because of their lack of power, are definitionally incapable of sin.  For instance, there are many who have argued blacks in America cannot be prejudiced merely because of their status based on skin color, regardless of their actual statements or beliefs or actions.  The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, not just some (See Romans 3:9-23, for instance).  Moreover, Ephesians 2:1 – 10 discusses salvation through a lens of individual realities, not group realities.  Critical theory offers a counter to the biblical reality that individuals, not groups, answer to God for their sins.  Since it starts from a flawed premise about reality, this, alone, is a sufficient reason not to trust Critical Theory.

Secondly, Critical Theory, because of its insistence on the group over the individual denies one of the basic premises upon which all Scripture stands – namely that human beings are made in the image of God.  Genesis 1:26 – 27.  Psalm 139:13 – 16.  Every individual is an image bearer, not by virtue of being a member of an oppressed or marginalized group, but by virtue of being a human being rather than an elephant or dog or snake or bacteria.  Critical Theory blatantly rejects the clear biblical teaching that individual people, not identity groups, are image bearers.

Third, Critical Theory defies the reality that salvation is an individual, not a group matter.  In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Paul says we are a new creation in Christ.  Those two words, new creation, are in the singular in Greek.  In other words, each individual person is a new creation.  I could, but won’t list the multiple instances when Jesus referred to an individual coming to faith.  I will offer this one specific instance, though: the thief on the cross from Luke 23.  The thief admits his guilt and acknowledges who and what Jesus is and asks for him to save him.  Jesus doesn’t say “hey, you know, you’re part of the identity group known as thieves, so in you I will now save all thieves.”  No, the other thief remains on the cross and gets his reward for ignoring Christ.  The thief who asked for forgiveness is saved at that moment and will see Jesus in paradise that very day.  The one thief.  Salvation occurs when a person calls on the name of Jesus in sincerity and in truth and acknowledges his or her sinfulness before the almighty God of the universe and asks for forgiveness, recognizing that by living a perfect life, dying on the cross, and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no one else could do – pay for the sins of every, single person who he has come to save.  Jesus didn’t come to save groups, he came to save human beings: individual human beings. 

Take this practical example that almost any pastor worth a toot will have said to his congregation along the way: you don’t get saved because your mama and daddy are members of this church.  You don’t get saved because you are a member of an oppressed group.  There is zero biblical substantiation for such a claim.

Additionally, when you read Galatians 3:28, you can come to only one logical conclusion: your group identity is irrelevant to God.  The reason there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female in Christ is because those identities do not determine salvation.  One of the reasons Paul wrote to the Galatians was because of a Judaizing sect that claimed Christians had to become Jews first.  Paul denied this.  One need not become a member of any group in order to become a Christian.  Critical Theory relies on group identity as its most meaningful component since it separates the oppressed from oppressor and privileges the oppressed over the oppressor.  In fact, God privileges no one but does offer every individual the right to become a child of his through Christ.

Finally, the fourth problem with Critical Theory is less a problem with the theory itself than the explanation for why it’s okay for Christians to accept it.  The phrase you’ll hear used is “all truth is God’s truth.”  The logic, since this statement is rational, reasonable, and logical, is that, therefore if Critical Theory contains truth, it is acceptable to use Critical Theory as a tool for understanding human nature.  There is a flawed premise here.  Let me give an example.  Undoubtedly during his reign of terror, Hitler made truthful observations about reality.  Maybe he said to one of his aides that the moon orbits the earth, or that one plus one equals two, or that Russian winters are bitterly cold.  No doubt Hitler frequently made statements that we would all accept as truthful.  Yet, no one uses Hitler in order to argue that these truths are, in fact true.  Why not?  Because it is unnecessary and meaningless.  Truth about any subject is true regardless of the proprietor of the truth or it isn’t truth.  In other words, when we say the word truth, we are indicating a standard of belief that goes beyond our subjective understanding of reality (although this is, I suppose, up for debate these days in light of some of the lunacy that passes for truth). 

Thus, while those who use Critical Theory as a means for examining human nature may from time to time make true observations about reality, this doesn’t justify its use for Christians.  In fact, Jesus made clear that HE is the truth (John 14:6).  Truth isn’t merely a proposition, but is a person – Jesus, the Christ.  He encapsulates fully and completely what truth is and what truth looks like.  We don’t need Critical Theory to help us along when we have not only the words of Jesus but the Spirit of Truth in the Holy Spirit.

Critical Theory is an insufficient means for Christians to seek to understand reality.  It has significant, irreconcilable differences with Christianity.  While it may, on occasion, make a statement of truth, this doesn’t justify its use when that truth can be obtained through other means, in particular by reading Scripture.  Overall, it is a poor substitute for simply following what Christ taught and opens up the Christian to thinking in ways that oppose Christianity by seeing salvation in group terms.

You don’t need to Critical Theory to see that some people are oppressed.  You don’t need Critical Theory to reach out with the gospel message to those who are oppressed.  You don’t need Critical Theory to explain the gospel message to those who are oppressed.  Please, then, explain to me why it is needed at all?