Personal Analysis of Critical Theory - Intro (Part 20)
Excerpt from, “From social justice warrior to Gospel-centered servant of God: An educator’s reflection on critical theory and Christianity” (Linkletter, 2021).
The final section of this paper will use the same five points from Neil Shenvi that were used in the literature review as guideposts for my personal reflections. I will be deliberating each of the five points and will discuss how they may not actually support vulnerable populations as well as critical theorists intend for them to.
Individual identity is inseparable from group identity.
Oppressor groups subjugate oppressed groups.
Fundamental moral duty is freeing oppressed groups from oppression.
Lived experience > objective evidence.
Intersectionality.
I feel it is crucial for me to share what I have learned because the utilization of critical theory is seeping into all areas of our lives. It is in corporate advertising, job training, public school curriculum, all over social media and in government policy (Rufo, 2021).
As a Christian, and as a mother, I know I need to share how critical theory contradicts what biblical scripture teaches us and how easily it can be mistaken for the Jesus centred Gospel Christians strive to share. Below (see Table 4.1) is a diagram copied from Neil Shenvi (2021c) which compares Christianity to Critical theory and clearly lays out how the two worldviews are distinct.
The following sections will unpack the five themes of critical theory that were explored in the literature review. I will draw on my personal experience living in Whati, Northwest Territories, wisdom from other Christian thinkers and writers, and biblical scripture.
Rebecca
References
Rufo, Christopher. (June 14, 2021). Critical Race Theory [video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfmpnGV0IGc
Shenvi, Neil. (2021c). https://shenviapologetics.com/social-justice-critical-theory-and-christianity-are-they-compatible-part-3-2/