Curated content for the church
In easy to understand, straightforward language, Relevant Magazine's Tyler Huckabee details the incarnation of the war against critical race theory, the varying definitions and key tenets of CRT, and how Christians should respond.
Although the anti-critical race theory rhetoric didn't really begin in earnest until 2020 (hint: an election year), the groundwork was being laid back in 2018 by evangelicals on blogs, speeches, and sermons. Reporter Andre E. Johnson traces the roots and motivation of white evangelicalism becoming obsessed with opposing CRT.
Oak Cliff Bible (Dallas, TX) pastor Tony Evans looks at three aspects of critical race theory (CRT): the original definition of the theory, the crisis and confusion over it today, and how Christians should respond to CRT. Evans is a master at taking the complicated, layered, and fluid history of CRT and breaking it down into easily understandable terms. This is the best resource on CRT from a Christian perspective thus far.
In clear and concise prose, the editors of Faithfully Magazine list the core concepts and roots of critical race theory in addition to the inception and current iteration of the backlash against critical race theory. With plenty of opportunity to dig deeper, this article is an excellent starting point to learn about CRT.
Co-editor of Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement Gary Peller says that the vehement backlash against critical race theory makes is readily apparent why critical race theory is needed. Using simple, real world examples Peller details how CRT can help analyze social practices (policing, education) and how they are affected by racism.
Christian apologist Neil Shenvi and pastor of The Bridge Church (Brooklyn, NY) Rasool Berry debate the many definitions of critical race theory - what it is, what it isn't, the nuances, and the sticking points. Shenvi and Berry role model what is it like to have a conversation with a fellow Christian, but disagree about aspects of a certain subject. Skip to 2:45 to get to the interview.
Critical race theory is being used by many people as a weapon and many people are not taking the time to dig into what CRT actually is. Is critical race theory a tool that Christians can use? Absolutely. Is it a tool that Christians will use to direct church doctrine? No. As Christians we must be nuanced and distinct in our response to CRT.
There seems to be a common assumption that if we just pick up the Bible and read it then it will make sense. And while we want to acknowledge that God can choose to reveal insights to individuals we also want to highlight that God also provides us with resources, such as historical documents and books, to enhance our understanding of the Bible. With honesty and humility How (Not) to Read the Bible provides indispensable reading tips while tackling some of the seemingly anti-women, pro-violence, and pro-slavery texts.
Since the 16th century when Jesuit priest Jose de Acosta created the theology of extraction giving a Christian rationale for exploiting indigenous people on land with valuable minerals we have been dealing with the affects of racialized geography. In a speech for Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Dr. Willie Jennings discusses the way the rich and powerful manipulate the system to ensure that things stay the way they are. This applies to race too, the rich and powerful (mostly the dominant white culture in the United States) manipulate the system to ensure that property is divided up so the rich and powerful have their part of cities/towns/etc. and the not rich and powerful are kept out.
A short two minute explanation of what one theory of defunding the police means. This is the type of defunding the police that we can get support.
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