This particular concept is leading many astray and we must confront it everywhere it pops up. Having endured my University’s Critical indoctrination program for the past 3.5 years, I decided to write something up about it and how this relates to our faith, enjoy. (5-minute read)

Many issues in the modern Church that we talk about (the attack on masculinity, biblical roles etc) stem from something called Critical Theory. So I thought it would be better to rebuke false teachers such as Nadia Bolz-Weber by exposing their worldly philosophical framework first, then we will see clearly to reject their theology, deceptive practises and thus, clear its outworking from our Churches.

Critical Theory and Bolz-Weber

Critical Theory is a social theory that critiques and changes society by targeting its power structures and the concepts that hold these together. Critical Theory and the principles within it can really be applied to anything, and it absolutely wreaks havoc when applied to Christianity.

“You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Here are some of the fruits of Critical Theory and its adherents:

  • Feminism
  • Sexual and gender revolution
  • Cultural revolution
  • Socialism
  • Marxism
  • Deconstructivism
  • Postmodernism
  • Universalism

All of these have something major in common, they are united in their rebellion against an established authority. That authority may be different in each case, for feminism the authority is the patriarchy. In the case of the sexual revolution – purity and marriage. But the really devastating rebellion is this: rebellion against the authority of established truth.

Postmodernism is most blatantly affiliated with this rebellion, and many people are unknowingly affected by its core thesis in some way. The thesis: ‘the truth is what you think it is’ which basically translates to: ‘The truth is what feels good to you’. (Sounds pretty similar to Judges 21:25 huh)

You can see this thesis at work in the life of Bolz-Weber.

Here is a teacher who is rebelling against 2000 years of widely accepted Christian thought. Indeed, she referred to the life work of Augustine of Hippo as a ‘dump’, and Paul’s writings as ‘snotty opinions’. Bolz-Weber is trying to dismantle established Christian thought surrounding sex via a sexual reformation based on the arguments of Martin Luther.

Where does her authority to say and do such things come from? Herself and her own ‘spiritual revelation’. After an abortion and divorce, she got back with an old boyfriend and essentially said that “the sex was so good it made me question the relationship between sex and religion”.

Martin Luther right now.

How Critical Theory affects our Evangelism

The philosophy behind this error is not just exclusive to Bolz-Weber. It is being widely proliferated in many different Christian denominations. The Catholic organisation I am indirectly employed by has adopted a ‘be your best self’ humanistic psychology. The leader said in a recent zoom meeting that we are not preaching the gospel, but encouraging students to embrace ‘who they are’ -> whether that be atheist, Muslim etc.

This is in line with the vision of human flourishing: a recent heretical teaching that has its roots in Critical Theory as applied to the Great Commission. Christians have always been for helping the poor and needy but due to ‘new interpretations’ of Jesus’ words, in the year 2020 the Great Commission has been translated to helping everyone flourish in their lives on earth.

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Whether you are flourishing in life or not, you need to repent in the name of Jesus. This is not just a once-off deal, but a continuous commitment to walk by faith and follow Jesus’ commands.

Pointing people towards this is the number 1 way that we help them, other than attending to their basic needs. So when we neglect to point people toward the ONLY way for their salvation, we are like the servant given a single talent who then buried it in the ground. Critical Theory justifies disobedience.

How Critical Theory affects our Christianity

Critical Theory lends itself to something CS Lewis referred to as ‘Chronological snobbery’. That is, the view that by virtue of its recentness, any position is more authoritative than old and established positions.

When teachers bring us new interpretations of scripture we cannot merely quote scripture back at them, their argument lies in their interpretation, their interpretation lies in their worldview/doctrine. These new claims must be weighed against Biblical canon as a whole. That means they must be weighed against established worldview/doctrine. That is, established interpretations based on Authorial intent – not what some feminist suddenly thinks Paul really meant in Ephesians 5.

The primary objective of the enemy is to undo the work of Jesus Christ, and what did Jesus Christ come to do? To destroy the work of the devil: sin. (‘I have come that they may have life’).

One of the most important things Critical Theory does to Christianity is undercut the Gospels power by attacking the concept of sin. It does this by either saying something isn’t a sin (changing established doctrine) or it downplays the gravity of sin. Nadia Bolz-Weber and many other ‘Christians’ do so in a matter that is utterly disgraceful, bringing the gospel into disrepute and trampling on the cross.

‘How do we know what sin is?’ Bible + right interpretation. ‘We know the Bible is reliable, but how do we know what the right interpretation is?’ Authoritative figures + Authorial intent. ‘I get Authorial intent, but how do we know which authoritative figures are Godly?’ By their fruits. ‘What’s the main fruit to look for?’ Whether or not they teach repentance via the cross. Repentance that leads to forgiveness, and forgiveness that leads to life evidenced by righteousness.

Critical Theory applied to Faith alone

Critical Theory has absolutely destroyed Faith alone, and the newly defined concept enables many modern heresies. Faith alone now apparently justifies (among many things) Vagina sculptures, homosexuality, abortion, idleness, and a dead and useless belief. Further, it is the single biggest point of confusion and division within Christianity. Those ‘Christian’ women sleeping around that we all complain about? ‘Don't judge bro, they are just as holy as you.’ How the devil has deceived us!

There is no salvation without faith. Likewise, there is no faith without repentance. No repentance without confession of sin. No confession without admitting that we have a sinful heart (and indeed that sin exists in the first place).

True and transformative faith will lead to righteousness (evidenced by fruits and good works) and a renouncement of the world and its desires. So let’s not get bogged down once again in the faith vs works non-debate. Open your eyes. Without action your faith is dead!

In the words of Martin Luther himself:

“Saving faith is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever...Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire!”

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

And of course, Jesus’ first public announcement:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Hopefully this has provided you with some insight into the framework that our opposition uses, and how this has crept into our faith at a theological level and thus affected many brothers and sisters. Wherever you’re at, be encouraged, admonished, awakened, but for the love of God: grow. (2 Peter 1:5-11).

Stats:

  • 22 years old
  • 196cm, 91kg, body fat: 12.9%, lifts: unknown
  • Reading: Sidebar, NMMNG, BMB, WMHGTC, Mere Christianity
  • Finances: 15K (AUD) per year, BA (History, International Studies and Marketing) end of this year
  • Spiritual: Staunch Christian, daily Bible/prayer