Church, Wake up to the Dangers of Critical Race Theory

The world and the church, particularly in North America, are divided on their views of Critical Race Theory. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it ugly? In this Discerning the Times, we shall look at what Critical Race Theory (CRT) is and consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of its approach. We shall look at how a Biblical approach is a better solution to the issues of race and racism.

Rev. Dr. Brad Long and Bishop Jim logan look at the social justice approach of Critical Race Theory to racism based on the antichrist ideology of Marxism, which is entirely contrary and harmful to the Biblical Justice approach based upon God’s revealed law and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Racism and Original Sin

Racism is a symptom of the brokenness and sin that entered God’s good creation through the fall. Pride, leading to false beliefs of superiority, seeking to categorize people based upon racial or ethnic grouping results in racist attitudes. These attitudes have plagued humanity throughout history.  

Racial prejudice is the result of original sin and is endemic to all humankind.  The assertion that racism is the unique sin of the white race, as CTR asserts, is absurd and contrary to human history and experience.  Bishop Logan and Dr. Long have travelled the world from Asia to Africa and found racism embedded in people of every race-ethnicity.  

The result is a world that is broken and in need of healing. It is a world where some have experienced unimaginable pain, and trauma and others are oblivious to the damage inflicted.

In the midst of all this, some have stood as beacons of hope amid the carnage of racism. Martin Luther King Jr is an example of an individual who imagined a very different reality.

 For Martin Luther King Jr., this was a reality he believed could be achieved because it was a biblical picture of transformation possible through the power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit.   Martin Luther King Jr.  (Like Frederich Douglas before him) embodied Biblical Justice and Equality, which is the basis for the American founding that, “… that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”   

This is the way of true healing of racial injustice and true equality, starting first in the Church and then in society.  Martin Luther King was a great man of God. This prophet called the Church to biblical faith and called the Americans both in our laws, government, and attitudes toward one another to live our founding creed enshrined in the US Constitution.  This is the true basis for healing past racial injustices and restoring equality, Biblical Justice, and true unity amid flourishing diversity.

On the other hand, CRT is based on the antichrist ideology of Marxism, which works to divide every level of society into warring factions, with the calculated result that society as a whole may be destroyed and replaced by a Marxist utopia. But that idea of the perfect society never arrives. Instead, the results are death, poverty, and tyranny. 

The Approach of Critical Race Theory

Critical race theory is defined as an 

 “intellectual movement and loosely organized framework of legal analysis based on the premise that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings but a socially constructed (culturally invented) category that is used to oppress and exploit people of colour. Critical race theorists hold that the law and legal institutions in the United States are inherently racist insofar as they function to create and maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites and nonwhites, especially African Americans”

Britannica.com¹

In its origins, the theory was developed out of a Marxist-orientated philosophy looking primarily at one’s group identity of the oppressed and the oppressors.   Marxism completely rejects God and morality and reduces all human life to impersonal materialistic processes of power and oppression and economics.  As such, it brings an entirely human-based perspective to the issue of racism.

The foundational principle is that everything is racist. The basic principles of the theory can be summarized as follows:

1. Racism is normal. It is everywhere all the time. Everything is racist. It is what the 1619 project is all about.   It rejects the actual founding of America in 1776 based on that noble ideal all men are created equal and that rights are given by God and not the government. 
2. White people are incapable of taking righteous actions when it comes to race. White folks are incurably racist and will only take a righteous action when their interests converge with the interests of the marginalized group. This is known as Interest Convergence Theory.
3. CRT is anti-liberalism. It questions those very foundations of the liberal order that was set in place after WWII to promote peace and prosperity through various international organizations and agreements that would encourage global cooperation on various issues such as security, trade, health, etc. 
4. Knowledge is socially constructed. Science and reasoning are now considered white social constructs, ideas that have been created and accepted by white people in society.  Suggestions about the need for Bible studies are merely mirroring attempts by whites for “white equilibrium.” There is no objective knowledge or objective truth. 

The 1619 Project also has a connection with CRT, as it aims at reframing the birth of the United States from the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to when the first slaves arrived in Virginia. Therefore, the nation is inherently racist. Remember “Point #1” where everything is racist?  

In addition, CRT advocates believe that laws and policies are not sufficient to solve the racist tendencies of the nation. Because there is no objective knowledge or truth (Point #4), Bible studies will not solve the racism problems either. Therefore, those who promote CRT suggest conversations because they think individual experiences are more authoritative.

This strategy is the same one utilized by the LGBTQ community through their misguided notion and belief that one’s experience is authoritative, and thus, it legitimizes those controversial perspectives. As Christians, we cannot accept this strategy as correct because it is based on the notion that those who differ in opinion can slowly be brought around over the course of time. Their belief is that time is on their side; however, we know this is false. 

Contrasting Critical Race Theory with Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” 

Critical Race Theory is a human and intellectual response to the very real problem of racism. But it is not a realistic solution. It is inadequate to deal with the serious issues at the heart of the matter and is an approach that Satan has hijacked to bring division and destruction along political lines and the body of Christ.   

Instead of healing, it brings only hatred and further divisions. And because the whole system is “racist” and white people cannot be redeemed, the only solution is the revolutionary on which is to destroy the entire system.  

God is very concerned about racism and the racial divide. He is a good God who desires to heal the sin of racism, bringing his children together in love and unity, advancing the Kingdom of God. We must never forget these two maxims of history: 

1. Those that fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it.
2. The oppressed often grow into the oppressors. 

We can compare how Satan has coopted CRT for his purpose of division and destruction with God’s desire for healing and unity as expressed through Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream” speech.

• Through CRT, Satan desires to demonize and create hatred of all white people, calling for violence and revolution, but God’s dream is for freedom for all, walking together in love.

“But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.” ~ MLK  

• Through CRT, Satan desires to create division between black and white people in our nation, setting up oppressed and oppressors, but God’s dream is for healing and unity. This “true unity and brotherhood will be based on the founding principles of America and on the fact that we are all created in the image of God.  

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.” ~ MLK

• Through CRT, God and His vision are rejected; however, Martin Luther King’s vision is entirely the biblical vision of the Kingdom of God on earth with His biblical justice and freedom for all. This is in complete opposition to CRT.  

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’” ~ MLK

We believe Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream Speech was a prophetic declaration of the Lord’s magnificent plans for His beautiful creation. We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and He desires for us to come together into true unity with our Heavenly Father, together as sons and daughters of God, brothers, and sisters in Christ. Like Martin Luther King did back in the 1960s, let’s start dreaming again with God.   

I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them as You loved Me.

~ John 17:23

The Real Solution

The answer to the issues of race and racism does not lie within politics or legislation. The answer lies within the human heart.

For out of the heart come forth wicked thoughts, murder, adultery and other kinds of sexual immorality, theft, lies, slanders.…  

~Matthew 15:19

While good political policy and legislation have a role in helping to deal with racism, what is needed is a heart transformation.  Such a transformation can only come through the work of the gospel in people’s lives. Healing is necessary—healing which comes through the person of Jesus Christ.

PRMI is currently developing resource materials for individuals, small groups, and congregations to approach the issue of racial reconciliation biblically and see the healing ministry of Jesus Christ bring transformation. More information about these resources will be available in a future Discerning the Times article.

What Can You Do About Critical Race Theory (CRT)   

In some ways, it feels like the Church of Jesus Christ is behind. However, we need to lead the way. Do not minimalize this racial divide, for demonic forces seek to increase and expand their power and influence, especially with the indoctrination of the younger generation.  Remember that you have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, and through Jesus Christ Himself, you can bridge the gap. 

Just as the abolishment of slavery came out of the Second Great Awakening, we need God to do it again. Just as the Azusa Street Revival was multi-racial, multi-cultural, and crossed divisions, we need to pray that God will do it again by the power of the Holy Spirit and His authority through you and me.  

Here are three things that you can do about Critical Race Theory: 

Pray

•  Pray that the Church of Jesus Christ wakes up to God’s Vision for the world and relationships. 
• Pray that the enemy is unmasked and that his strategy and plans are defeated. 
• Pray for family and friends who are caught up in the CRT movement that they are delivered from demonic deception and, in some cases, demonic oppression.  Join with Jesus Christ in the war for their souls. 
• Seek God’s face. Ask the Lord what He wants you to do about CRT personally.
• Pray for boldness, that God will stretch out His hand, and that the Church of Jesus Christ will do many signs and wonders in His name. 
• Pray that this Next Great Awakening will draw many to Him such that our society and culture are transformed. 
    

Educate yourself, others, and local congregations

• Share the truth that you learned about CRT.
• Encourage believers to let their voices be heard, especially regarding what is being taught in your local schools, colleges, and universities. 
• Understand that you cannot do anything alone. You need other believers, and we need God. 

Take Action

• Intentionally reach across the divide and build relationships with people who don’t look like you. 
• Courageously let your voice be heard, especially to local school boards.
• Understand that criticism will come and should be expected regardless of whether you are white or of color, especially if you do not submit to and mimic the narrative of CRT.  
• Keep moving forward with God. Consider the importance of being “Baptized with the Holy Spirit” with His power so that you can walk in His authority with His great love for all people.  

Resources / Contact Information 

There are many resources out there concerning CRT, with committed Christians approaching this issue from differing perspectives. In this article, we have chosen to contrast a social justice perspective with a Biblical justice perspective. Our focus in this needs to be what God is doing and how we can join in the work of advancing His kingdom.   

The purpose of Discerning the Times is to seek spiritual discernment.    This is not the context for academic debate or conversation around the issues of CRT.  There are other forums for doing that.  

To provide the biblical and theological basis for supporting our discernment about the evils of CRT and the profound danger it poses to the Church of Jesus Christ, we recommend Voddie T. Baucham Jr., pastor, author and educator. He is an American who was born in Los Angeles and currently serves as a Dean in Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia.   

• Book:  Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe Hardcover – April 6, 2021, by Voddie T. Baucham Jr.
  
• Video: Critical Race Theory Says Everything is Racist – Voddie Baucham at Flat Creek Baptist Church 
  

Also, if you have questions or would like to contact Bishop Jim Logan, his email is pastorjhl@mac.com. 

1. https://www.britannica.com/topic/critical-race-theory