Q&A: Veritas 2020 #23 Critical Theory (Part 3 of 3) (25:24)

Watch the video
Questions only
Table of Videos

  1. By what other name is Critical Theory often called?
    Cultural Marxism
  2. Why does Critical Theory often appeal to Christians who have only a superficial understanding of it?
    They say: 1) Oppressing the weak is bad; 2) Racism is bad; 3) Bigotry is bad; 4) Black lives matter; 5) White supremacy is bad; 6) Injustice is bad. Christians agree.
  3. What does the “bait and switch” tactic (often used to confuse Christians) attempt to do?
    Find something you will certainly agree with, then try to sneak in something else that seems very similar, but really is not.
  4. What is an example of a “bait and switch” tactic that is used by evolutionists?
    1) Get you to agree that bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, or that dogs can be bred to be very small, and then 2 Try to convince you that that’s “all” that evolution is, and that you’re therefore an evolutionist
  5. How do Christians show that they believe “black lives matter” more than the people behind the “black lives matter” movement?
    We believe black unborn babies matter. We believe black lives matter when they are being taken by black thugs.
  6. What was the primary focus of Karl Marx?
    Economics
  7. How did Marx try to bring about revolution?
    He pitted economic groups against each other (bourgeois property owners “oppressed” proletariat working class people). He urged the proletariat to “rise up” in revolution
  8. How do critical theory advocates re-spin marxism?
    They pit different groups against each other based on race, sexual preferences, gender identity, religion, etc.
  9. What do critical theory advocates mean by “intersectionality?”
    People are always members of more than one group. If they happen to be part of two groups that are in the “oppressed” category, they have more at stake in the revolution
  10. Briefly explain 1) how Christians would answer these questions and 2) how critical theory would answer them
    1. Who am I? 
      1. A person created in the image of God. Christians are new creations in Christ.
      2. A member of a group (or groups) competing with other groups for power.
    2. What is my primary problem?
      1. Sin
      2. Groups of people oppress other groups of people
    3. What is the solution to our problem?
      1. Trusting Jesus
      2. Activism. Overthrowing oppressors.
    4. What is my goal in life?
      1. To Glorify God and spend eternity with Him
      2. To overthrow oppressors
    5. What must I confess?
      1. That I have sinned
      2. That I am a (homophobe, racist, sexist, etc.) because I’m a member of an oppressing group
    6. How can I be redeemed?
      1. By the blood of Jesus, by repenting of my sin and trusting Him
      2. There is no redemption. I can only confess my guilt as part of an oppressing group
    7. What is my primary duty?
      1. Love, serve, and glorify God and love others
      2. Overthrow the oppressors
    8. What is truth?
      1. God is truth. Truth is what corresponds to reality. Evidence and reasoning can help us find truth.
      2. Whatever the oppressed say it is. Scripture, evidence, reasoning are all irrelevant.
    9. What is the relationship between different groups?
      1. We are all created in the image of God. We can all become new Creatures in Christ. We love each other regardless of our group identities.
      2. Groups are always pitted against each other. Some are oppressed. Others are oppressors.
    10. How should I think about Christians who are in minority groups but who reject critical theory?
      1. We are all created in the image of God and brothers and sisters in Christ. 
      2. He’s acting like an oppressor. (e.g., He’s “white” even if his skin is black.)
    11. What if I find that the Bible teaches something I have not believed?
      1. The Bible is God’s Word, if I’ve been wrong, I need to change.
      2. The Bible is merely a tool being used by oppressors.
    12. What should I believe about God?
      1. What the Bible says about Him. He exists. He created all things. He is all-powerful, all-wise, all-loving, etc.
      2. There is no supreme God. We have to exert our own power by overthrowing the oppressor groups.
    13. How can I tell if I’m a racist?
      1. Do I love people regardless of skin color, culture, background, etc.? Am I partial on the basis of superficial differences like skin color?
      2. If you are a member of the oppressing group, you are a racist by definition, regardless of your behavior.
    14. What is oppression?
      1. Oppression occurs when people with power and money take advantage of others who are powerless to stop them.
      2. Oppression occurs automatically and unconsciously whenever two groups of people interact, simply by the fact that one is part of an oppressing group.
    15. What should Christians do who have personally experienced the pain of racism?
      1. Reject critical theory. Accept God’s Word. Expose the sin of racism. Find Christians of various races who will support you and pray for you. Confess that all of us have sinned.
      2. Work harder to overthrow the oppressors
    16. Is it OK to advance my goals by using violence?
      1. The Bible allows for some violence in self-defence or to defend others
      2. Yes. Violence against people who disagree with me is justified if it helps overthrow the oppressor group
    17. Is it possible for systemic racism to exist?
      1. Yes. Examples would be slavery, Jim Crow laws, abortion, Nazi Germany
      2. It is constant. It is inevitable when two groups interact.
    18. Whom should I resist?
      1. Satan and his demons
      2. People who have power
    19. How should I react to those who disagree with me?
      1. Love them. Stay humble. Graciously try to help them see truth about Jesus.
      2. Reject them. To disagree with me is an attack on who I am.
    20. What happens when so-called “oppressors” are successfully overthrown?
      1. Authoritarian dictatorship. A few seize power in the name of the people.
      2. Supposedly, freedom and liberation. In truth, people who worked for the revolution are disillusioned as a new repressive elite emerges to claim power “on behalf of the people.”
    21. What should I think of identity politics?
      1. It’s bad because instead of seeing individuals as created in the image of God and equal at the foot of the cross, it sees them as members of either oppressed or oppressive groups. It tends to create divisions among us instead of uniting us as one people.
      2. It is good because it clearly separates the oppressed from their oppressors.
    22. Who is responsible for my personal behavior?
      1. I am
      2. The oppressor class
    23. What is racism?
      1. The sin of showing partiality on the basis of skin color, cultural identity, etc
      2. What all white people are guilty of because of their part in the fact that white people as a group are oppressors. People of minority groups cannot be racist. 
    24. What is the place of reason and logic and investigation?
      1. God is a God of truth. He created us with the ability to reason and investigate to discover Him and Truth.
      2. Reason, logic, and investigation are tools of the oppressing group, and are not useful or permitted. To disagree with the oppressed group, for whatever reason, is to oppress them.
    25. Is it possible for someone in the oppressed group to be suffering the consequences of his or her own irresponsible behavior?
      1. Yes. Each of us must take personal responsibility for our own sins, regardless of our circumstances.
      2. No. Actions of the oppressive group cause the legitimate reaction of the oppressed, including violence and theft.
    26. Why is critical theory so appealing to Christians?
      1. CRT uses words that appeal to Christians. Even though words are redefined, Christians recognize the problem of genuine racism, the problem of genuine oppression, the problem of the misuse of power, the problem of the poor, the problem of bigotry, the problem of guilt.
      2. Christians who accept critical theory are simply finally recognizing the guilt that comes automatically as a result of being part of oppressing groups