CRT Should not be THE Problem for Christians

Note: Throughout this article the phrase “The Church” is used, and this is generally intended to refer to White evangelical churches.

The tensions around racism in America have been at record highs during 2020. The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Jacob Blake — just to name a few — have been met with extensive protests calling for change. While this has set several things in motion, it has also caused a lot of discussion and disagreement, both broadly in the United States, as well as within the Church. A key component of the debate has been around Black Lives Matter (BLM) — both the organization and the movement — and Critical Race Theory (CRT).

Many in the Church have added their voice in the calls for justice and systemic change, however, as these movements and concepts have exponentially gained popularity, others have expressed distaste, fear, even a complete rejection of any association with them.

I’m not here to convince you that CRT is a good thing per se. Rather, I intend to express why it should not be keeping you from acknowledging the real problem of racism in America; and appeal that you consider that as a Christian, you have an opportunity to seek justice and use your voice to contribute to positive change.

What is CRT?

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is birthed from the more general Critical Theory. To oversimplify, Critical Theory (CT) is a philosophical and social exploration of how to right the wrongs of oppression and inequality seen in the world. CRT extends these concepts specifically with respect to race and racism.

CT — and therefore CRT — contains within it assumptions that any current structures or systems should be questioned — even dismantled — to make way for a better system. It also assumes that there are at a minimum two groups in a given society: the oppressors and the oppressed.

Not only is there an assumption of group identity, but the theories also assign a higher level of insight to oppressed group(s) both into the problems of the system or society, as well as the solutions needed to make change.

For example, CRT would grant that a Black person (or other person of color), in America would have experiences and perspective that would allow them to understand the problem of systemic racism, in a way that a White person would not.

I will note briefly that there are other perspectives beside CRT that land in similar places. I’m so appreciative to Brandon Washington, who has expressed this so effectively:

I am not a critical race theorist. I derive my ethics from Christian systematic theology. My public statements reflect that understanding. But when I post my ideas, I am accused of being a student of CRT. Consider this; maybe critical race theorists are saying the same thing as me because, independent of one another, we have arrived at the same objective truths. (1)

Despite the reality described above, for some Christians, any essence of CRT is to be avoided, denounced or ignored. But why is this the case?

Why is CRT a Problem for Christians?

Long before official statements, like the one recently made by the SBC presidents, many who claim Christ have been speaking out against CRT and its underlying principles. It has been labeled as a grave danger to the Church, “Cultural Marxism” and completely incongruent with Scripture.

In addition to major concerns like those listed above, many in the Church have expressed that even a more general belief in systemic oppression is unhelpful, that racism is a sin of the individual, and calls for societal or systemic changes do not have a place within the Church. Instead, in the face of expressions of racism, Christian’s should preach the Gospel and seek resolution through individual sanctification.

CRT certainly is a problem for many in the American Church, and once again it is not my intention to provide an apologetic for every argument that has been, or may be, presented. Rather, my intention is to point out that CRT should not be the only aspect of the conversation about racism in America in the Church.

Why CRT Should not be THE Problem for Christians.

Speaking as a White Christian, I have observed a pattern in the way that the Church has responded to Critical Race Theory. In many cases, there has been a false alignment made between CRT and any acknowledgement of systemic racism — or an attempt to fight systemic racism — to the point where they’ve become completely synonymous.

In doing this, a few things have happened. Not only are helpful components of CRT (or any other perspective on fighting racism) ignored or overlooked but generally speaking, a denouncement of Critical Race Theory is where the conversation ends. Alternative solutions are generally not presented; and progress is not pursued.

The message that this sends, in and outside the Church, is that the equality of all people is not a priority; that injustice is not a primary concern to those in the Church who are not affected by it, and that the status quo is acceptable enough not to warrant any material action on the part of Jesus’ followers.

This is my great concern. The Jesus that I know, and read about in the Bible, did not stand idly by in the face of injustice. He entered into the lives of the oppressed and the poor. He cared for and healed the sick. He comforted the hurting, he gave hope to those who had none. Yes, he did this by going to the cross, and providing eternal hope and freedom; but he also addressed the physical needs of real people.

Not only did Jesus do this, but He called his disciples to do the same. Yes, we are to be heralds of the Gospel, but the Gospel is not just hope for eternity; it is a message of God’s redemption of all that is broken — now and in eternity.

So I can’t help but be grieved — and in some cases angered — when I see the followers of Jesus dismiss Critical Race Theory and call it a day. Black people in America are living atrocious realities that White people like myself don’t have complete capacity to understand; but we have an opportunity, as heralds of our redeeming Savior, to seek righteousness and justice here and now, as well as in eternity.

I am not a CRT evangelist, but I can’t stand by while many in the Church throws stones at a secular theory, while ignoring the problem that it seeks to address, ultimately overlooking the realities of suffering in our country caused by systemic racism.

My goal is not to convince Christian’s to subscribe to Critical Race Theory. My aim is to see followers of Jesus stop using CRT as an excuse for staying on the margins of the conversation, keeping silent — or worse contributing to — the mistreatment of Black people and people of color in America. We serve a God who is righteous and just, and calls his people to seek both righteousness and justice, and to bring redemption and hope to a broken world.

References

(1) Washington, Brandon (@BrandonWashington), Facebook; September 26th 2020