Cultural Marxism | Voddie Baucham

Richard T

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This cultural Marxism is couched in what is called "Critical Theory." Is Critical Theory Biblical? No.

The Incompatibility of Critical Theory and Christianity
I see critical theory as being a framework where one can apply the approach in studying anything. Examples would be studying anything from literature to international relations. Critical theory is incompatible with mainstream Christianity, though one could use it to study the bible, etc. The questions asked though would be far different from normal Christianity.
"What unites critical theorists like Cox, Linklater and others, then, is a political inquiry with an explicit emancipatory purpose. It aims at uncovering the potential for a fairer system of global relations resulting from already existing principles, practices and communities that expands human rights and prevents harm to strangers." Introducing Critical Theory in International Relations
Whereas Marx looked primarily at the economic system to explain conflict and class relations, Gramsci later expanded the Marxist analysis to suggest how other cultural factors explained class relationships. Gramsci and others went on to suggest how we could take over various cultural areas, to remake society. As I noted previously, some Christians have similar ideas. They think that Christians can be influencers on society and help shape it into what they believe God would want here on earth, for government, family, education, media etc. No doubt this can be helpful but it gets complicated when you consider what this implies with end time beliefs and the role of the church before Jesus returns.
 
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redleghunter

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I see critical theory as being a framework where one can apply the approach in studying anything. Examples would be studying anything from literature to international relations. Critical theory is incompatible with mainstream Christianity, though one could use it to study the bible, etc. The questions asked though would be far different from normal Christianity.
CT could be seen as a systematic theology?
 
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Richard T

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CT could be seen as a systematic theology?
I frankly am not sure how one would study theology through a CT lens. I did find a book that does some of that; Theology and Contemporary Critical Theory by Ward. Since liberation is their goal, most if not all would see CT like most Marxists and Feminists do, an obstacle. If they did try to incorporate the bible into their study, I imagine they would use scriptures very differently, highlighting the ones that fit their views and avoid those that did not. They generally do not have universal truths.

I do think that CT will come into play for the future one world government by adopting some of their thoughts on equality and liberation.

I notice too on wiki that they list some variants of CT. The Frankfort school primarily looks at ideology as the barrier to human liberation. That is the version that seems more in line with Marxist thought, they just substitute ideology instead of economics as the agent of change.

"Postmodern critical theory analyzes the fragmentation of cultural identities in order to challenge modernist era constructs such as metanarratives, rationality and universal truths, while politicizing social problems "by situating them in historical and cultural contexts, to implicate themselves in the process of collecting and analyzing data, and to relativize their findings" Critical theory - Wikipedia

In my secular college studies, CT was starting to gain more prominence in the social sciences. Now it is taught alongside other theories and while some take it seriously, I would not call it the dominant paradigm for most colleges or individual professors.
 
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redleghunter

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I frankly am not sure how one would study theology through a CT lens. I did find a book that does some of that; Theology and Contemporary Critical Theory by Ward. Since liberation is their goal, most if not all would see CT like most Marxists and Feminists do, an obstacle. If they did try to incorporate the bible into their study, I imagine they would use scriptures very differently, highlighting the ones that fit their views and avoid those that did not. They generally do not have universal truths.
Yes I would agree it would employ some crafty eisegesis. Thanks for the comments and research. Appreciate it.
 
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