Our Identity in Christ
October 23, 2020

Critical Theory

Everyone can be divided into two groups: oppressors, those who have power; and oppressed, those who don’t. Oppressors always oppress the less powerful. Who you are is based on your group identity: race, gender, religion, immigration status, income, sexual orientation, gender identity. Your group determines whether you are oppressed or oppressor.

Intersectionality

Your level of oppression is based on how many of these group identities intersect. For example, a Black man is less oppressed than a Black woman, who is less oppressed than a Black lesbian.

Moral Authority

More oppression categories = More moral authority. As a result, the experience and perspective of a gay, Black woman is more valuable than the experience and perspective of a straight, White man, regardless of what they have to say.

Moral Responsibility

The more oppressed someone is, the less moral responsibility they have for their actions. Those who aren’t part of oppressed groups…straight, White men…gain moral authority by surrendering to those who have it…the oppressed.

Critical Theory vs. Christianity

  1. Critical Theory offers a different view of humanity than Christianity.
  2. Critical Theory offers a different view of sin than Christianity.
  3. Critical Theory offers a different view of salvation than Christianity.

…those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. —Galatians 3:27,28

The Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. —1 Timothy 4:1-3

Our Identity in Christ
Matthew 12:36,37 • Colossians 1:13 • 1 John 4:4 • 2 Corinthians 5:17 • 1 Peter 2:9 • Philippians 4:13 Isaiah 30:18,19 • Psalm 2:1-6 • Matthew 26:41

Recommended Resources
VIDEO
• Staring Into the Abyss, Fr. Ed Meeks
• Is Critical Theory Biblical?
• The Trojan Horse 1-3
• In His Image
• GraceStL.org/resources/rons-recommends/

BOOK
• Last Call For Liberty by Os Guinness

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Of all the ways you could be described (by job, hobbies, talents, achievements, failures, limitations, education…) which matters most to you and why?


2. According to intersectionality, the member of the most oppressed groups has the most moral authority. Who is the most oppressed: a male Cubs fan or a female Detroit Tigers fan?


3. How many “oppressed” groups could you claim? Do they make your opinions more valid than someone else’s? Why or why not?


4. Ephesians 4:11-15 tells us God gave us pastors, prophets, etc. so that instead of being tricked, we would “speak the truth in love” and grow up with each other’s help. When is speaking up the loving thing to do? Why might we be afraid to speak the truth?