In a podcast for Evangelical Times, Sharon James discusses Critical Theory with Mike Judge, The blurb suggests that:
Dr Sharon James says Critical Theory and the ideas of the Social Justice movement are the single biggest moral threat to our society. She says church leaders should not act as “useful idiots” by embracing its language or its ideas
To be fair to Sharon James, this is perhaps not quite accurate. It is not the Social Justice movement in and of itself that she attacks but rather, Social justice in so much as it has been “hijacked” by Critical Theory.
You can watch it here:
There are some helpful points raised in the podcast. First of all, James helpfully summarises the history of Critical Theory as a philosophical thought or ideology. This is important because we can hear the words “critical theory” and assume that it is simply intended to encourage critical thinking and assessment. However, “critical” refers to a very specific critique and as James explains, this is to do with the perspective of power and subjugation so that society is divided into those who have power and those who are oppressed. Power and oppression tend to be determined along the lines of gender and sexuality, class and wealth, and race (with a specific category of Critical Race Theory).
Critical Race Theory can therefore be seen as relating to Marxism and also to postmodernism/poststructuralism. We might also see a relationship between post-structuralism as an attempt to deconstruct the building blocks of society from language through to institutions and deconstruction in the Evangelical church.
James’ observes that we live in an anti-authoritarian age where all forms of power and authority are seen as toxic and dangerous.
Does this mean then that Christians who engage with social justice issues, particularly around issues of race and gender equality are some how “useful idiots?” Well, here I think are the problems with the podcast. They begin with the use of a derogatory term, which given the intended audience seems to imply that at least the producers/editors have evangelicals in mind. The whole point of the concept of “useful idiots” is that they are people who out of good motives end up betraying their own and serving a hostile enemy. Yet, the extreme examples of churches getting caught up in questionable and confusing virtue signalling do not seem to refer to evangelicals. We need to be careful of this kind of implicit accusation based on scare stories and rumours without a direct relationship.
Secondly, is it really right to identify Critical Theory as the single biggest moral threat to our society? James doesn’t build a case as to why this particular approach is more of a threat than other issues arising. Such language seems at best naïve to the on the ground reality of challenges that Christians and churches in working class contexts face, cultures and neighbourhoods untouched by 20th century social theories but suffering heavily from the damage that sin causes.
James ignores that whilst Critical Theory identifies the dangers of power and oppression, such critiques predate the theory. Indeed, if the church has been critiqued as an establishment bastion of power then such a complaint goes back to early reformation dissenters such as the anabaptists,
Similarly, whilst Critical Theory may draw on secular, atheistic thinking, this is no surprise. Any theory or ideology that arises from outside of Scripture will draw upon thinking that is Godless at best and anti-Christ at worst. Critical Theory in that respect is no different to the views of capitalist theorists or prominent secular pop-psychologists.
However, if we believe in common grace and original general revelation, then we may also be unsurprised to find aspects of these worldly theories and philosophies which we know from God’s Word to align with a true and accurate knowledge of the world He created which is now fallen and in sin.
This is why we need to be careful before we presume that Christians talking about social justice including racial equality are doing so, solely because they have swallowed the Critical Theory pill. If Critical Theory recognises the danger of human, worldly power, then it draws as much upon the critique established in God’s Word. This should not surprise anyone who has read Tom Holland’s “Dominion”. Even those who seek to critique, challenge and deconstruct the society/worldview we inhabit do so from within and so are dependent upon the foundations and resources they criticise -and those foundations and cultural capital are, in the West., deeply Christian.
So, whilst Scripture does not absolve any of us from personal responsibility in our sin, it does identify that we were captive to hostile powers. Indeed, Scripture goes further and sees those powers as not merely human but spiritual too. It is not wrong for Christians to challenge injustices caused by sinful, idolatrous power. We might say “even” or better “especially” when the church falls for such idolatry.
Christians though, in a form of subversive fulfilment will not just accept the Critical Theory account and stick at seeking to address visible and structural problems now. Rather, our concern will be both to show how Critical Theory gets things wrong and falls short so that those who truly seek it will find a true and better social justice in the Gospel.
Faithroots 