What's Wrong with Critical Race Theory? Bad Theology

          Critical race theory(CRT) has been in the news a lot the last few years, especially now that many school districts are mandating its teaching. It could be that in your area young children are being taught the tenets of CRT even over the objections of parents and many other concerned people. No matter. The educational establishment has decided to make this a required part of their curriculum. So, what is it?

Critical race theory has been around in academic circles for a couple of generations but has only recently been foisted on school children nationwide. Let me list five of its core doctrinal beliefs:

1.    Racism permeates every nook and cranny of America. In fact, racism defines America. Every non-minority person is a racist even if they don’t know it.  One time when I was in an exit interview for a program at the University of Colorado, the new director said I was being let go because as a white male I was a racist. I was a racist even if I didn’t know it. I thought, this is going to be a real disappointment to my black children. I pointed out to her I had recently won an award given by minority students to a professor who has made major contributions to the well-being of black and brown students. I attended a banquet in which I received this award.  The director said it didn’t matter. I was still a racist. No amount of real world accomplishments would ever atone for my being a white male.

2.    If you are not directly confronting racism and it’s evils you are a racist. You must be actively anti-racist or you are a racist. If you take no position one way or another on this issue it proves you are a racist.

3.    Different outcomes and behaviors are proof of racism. If white people in Denver make more money than black people then that is proof of racism. If different ethnic and racial groups make different scores on college entrance exams, this is proof of racism. As an aside, statistical disparity is never applied to athletics. I had a young female student approach me after class and bitterly say, “Does it bother you that 95% of America’s corporate heads are white males?” I responded, “Before I answer your question may I ask you this: Does it bother you that 100% of the cornerbacks in the National Football League are African-American males?” My question terminated our discussion. Apparently statistical disparities in sport are not due to racism.

4.    People derive their basic identity from the group they are in. This is classic Marxism. In Marx’s philosophy a person was completely defined by their class. So if you were working class it defined your whole being. If you were middle class it defined everything about who you are. CRT is at its core Marxist. It has taken class identification and replaced it with race. Your race, ethnicity, or group completely defines who you are.

5.    White people are uniquely evil and non-white people are innocent. In the religion of CRT only white people are sinners. Minority people are righteous.

What does the Bible have to say about all this? It demolishes it. 

·     The biblical destruction of CRT originates with Genesis 1:27. And so God created man in His image. This is the most important statement about the nature of man in the history of the human race. It grants equality to every human being. Any place on earth you find someone arguing for the worth of all human beings that idea originated with this verse. Even CRT and Marxism begin here. This truth taught in this verse is why Christian culture has always taught the equal value of everyone. That’s where the Left gets the idea. Then they terribly distort it, turning it on its head to be used as a weapon by one group against other groups.

·     The Bible teaches when we come to Jesus Christ all our sins are forgiven; if you are white, Christ will forgive your sin. If you are black or brown it is the great need of your life—the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ. In CRT certain people can never be forgiven. In Jesus Christ, everyone can be forgiven. 

·     The Bible condemns judging on the basis of the group you are in; that’s the real meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan. For an upper class Jew in New Testament times, the Samaritan’s were beyond redemption, worthy of condemnation. Jesus Christ says, no they’re not. I welcome Samaritans and—gasp!—Gentiles into my Kingdom. Gal. 3:28

·     Romans 3:23 and a hundred verses like it condemn CRT. For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. I have had this conversation with my black sons. You cannot stand before God and play the race card. You cannot ask for special consideration because of your skin color. You will be saved on one basis—your relationship with Jesus Christ.

·     The Bible from beginning to end demands that people be judged individually. You are personally responsible for your soul. Marx is wrong. You are not defined by your group. Your group cannot save you, nor can it condemn you. If you are white that does not condemn you nor does it give you special status before God. I am a Baptist. Surely that gives me special status. I have told my students that Baptists have replaced the Jews as God’s chosen people. They just laugh.  As they should. Your personal relationship with Christ is what defines you.

·     Bad theology is bad for everyone; CRT is destructive to the very people it claims to help; young students of color are not helped by any of this. They are severely harmed. Claiming to be a victim is never a positive influence in life. It is a terrible burden to bear. And it is unnecessary. I plead with all men and women today to be freed in Christ.

·     Racism does not permeate all of American society. But Jesus Christ does. People who hate Christianity are nonetheless dominated by its teachings and this includes every social justice movement that has ever existed.

·     Teaching CRT in our schools is an example of the state imposing a religion on students. It’s not Christianity, it’s anti-Christianity.

Thank you for listening. May the God who has created us equal bless you this day in a mighty way.

More: I have three other videos that apply to this topic: “What Does the Bible Say About White Privilege?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l8kOFbUtNU&t=39s

“A Christian Looks at Black Lives Matter -1” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB8F0dVbRbY&t=214s

“A Christian Looks at Black Lives Matter-2” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMRYadgCkUY

There are dozens of good articles on CRT. Here are a few: “Exposing the Logical Fallacies of CRT” https://spectatorworld.com/book-and-art/pocket-size-book-refutes-critical-race-theory-fallacies/?utm_source=Spectator+World+Signup&utm_campaign=cdaa72fe65-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_10_14_04_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_edf2ae2373-cdaa72fe65-154787678

“The Five Lies of CRT” https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-five-lies-of-crt?utm_campaign=dw_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=housefile&utm_content=non_member

The Ibram Kendi videotape: https://fairfaxschoolsmonitor.com/the-ibram-kendi-videotape-viewed-today/?utm_source=pocket_mylist