OpenTheo

The Rise of Contemporary Critical Theory with Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer

Life and Books and Everything — Clearly Reformed

The Rise of Contemporary Critical Theory with Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer

October 12, 2023
Life and Books and Everything
Life and Books and EverythingClearly Reformed

We've heard the terms before: cultural Marxism, socialism, intersectionality, microaggressions, standpoint epistemology, the Frankfurt School, Critical Race Theory, Queer Theory, and many more. But what do they mean? Where did they come from? And how should Christians respond? Kevin talks to Neil and Pat about their new book, Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology, to try answer these questions and to think carefully about we can understand and engage the dominant ideologies of our day.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome

1:17 The Critical Dilemma

23:25 Sponsor | Crossway Books

24:00 What is Contemporary Critical Theory

57:30 Sponsor | Desiring God

58:05 CRT: A Worldview or Religion?

1:11:40 A Final Word

1:14:45 Until Next Time

Books & Everything:

Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and Society

Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity

Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

Foundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More From Life and Books and Everything

The Two-Parent Privilege with Melissa Kearney
The Two-Parent Privilege with Melissa Kearney
Life and Books and Everything
October 26, 2023
In this episode, Kevin talks with Melissa Kearney, professor of economics at the University of Maryland, about her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege:
Life and Ministry with Carl Trueman
Life and Ministry with Carl Trueman
Life and Books and Everything
November 21, 2023
In this fun and frank discussion, Kevin and Carl talk about everything from Billy Graham to Pride Month to Christian Nationalism. Along the way Carl r
Politics after Christendom with David VanDrunen
Politics after Christendom with David VanDrunen
Life and Books and Everything
November 29, 2023
Any Christian trying to formulate a political theology cannot afford to ignore the impressive work done by David VanDrunen over the past decade. In th
Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age with Rosaria Butterfield
Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age with Rosaria Butterfield
Life and Books and Everything
September 27, 2023
Is homosexuality normal? Is transgenderism a sin? Is Christian kindness the same thing as spiritual niceness? What's the difference between acceptance
The Reformation as Renewal with Matthew Barrett
The Reformation as Renewal with Matthew Barrett
Life and Books and Everything
September 13, 2023
Was the Protestant Reformation a repudiation of the church's history? Was it a rejection of Medieval theology? Did the Reformation lead to schism in t
Is All the Talk of Mental Health Bad for Our Mental Health?
Is All the Talk of Mental Health Bad for Our Mental Health?
Life and Books and Everything
August 23, 2023
The three amigos are back to kick off a new season of LBE. From college football to dropping kids off at college to the rise of mental health issues o
More From "Life and Books and Everything"

More on OpenTheo

When I Can’t Stop Thinking About Something, Is That God Speaking?
When I Can’t Stop Thinking About Something, Is That God Speaking?
#STRask
December 1, 2025
Questions about whether having a recurring thought is an indication God is speaking to you, what to say to someone who says they sinned because “God t
How Does It Affect You If a Gay Couple Gets Married or a Woman Has an Abortion?
How Does It Affect You If a Gay Couple Gets Married or a Woman Has an Abortion?
#STRask
October 16, 2025
Questions about how to respond to someone who asks, ”How does it affect you if a gay couple gets married, or a woman makes a decision about her reprod
Do Christian Business Owners Have a Moral Responsibility to Provide a Livable Wage?
Do Christian Business Owners Have a Moral Responsibility to Provide a Livable Wage?
#STRask
August 25, 2025
Questions about whether Christian business owners should provide a livable wage, whether doing a corporate sponsorship that promotes one’s business co
How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
#STRask
November 17, 2025
Questions about how to convince someone that evil exists, whether Charlie Kirk’s murder was part of God’s plan, whether that would mean the murderer d
Why Would Any Rational Person Have to Use Any Religious Book?
Why Would Any Rational Person Have to Use Any Religious Book?
#STRask
December 8, 2025
Questions about why any rational person would have to use any religious book, whether apologetics would be redundant if there were actually a good, un
Lora Ries: Border Security and Immigration Policy
Lora Ries: Border Security and Immigration Policy
Knight & Rose Show
December 7, 2025
Wintery Knight and Desert Rose welcome Lora Ries to discuss border security and immigration policy. They explore Biden's policy changes, like ending R
After the Crucifixion, was Jesus Resurrected or Rescued? Licona vs. Ally
After the Crucifixion, was Jesus Resurrected or Rescued? Licona vs. Ally
Risen Jesus
October 8, 2025
This episode is a 2016 debate held at the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga between Dr. Michael Licona and Dr. Shabir Ally, president of the Islam
The Boys Are Back in Town with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
The Boys Are Back in Town with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
September 1, 2025
It’s been a long time since the last LBE episode—too long some (i.e., our mothers) might say. But after a summer hiatus, the three amigos are back in
How Can I Improve My Informal Writing?
How Can I Improve My Informal Writing?
#STRask
October 6, 2025
Question about how you can improve your informal writing (e.g., blog posts) when you don’t have access to an editor.   * Do you have any thoughts or
What Are Some Good Ways to Start a Conversation About God with Family Members?
What Are Some Good Ways to Start a Conversation About God with Family Members?
#STRask
October 30, 2025
Questions about how to start a conversation about God with non-Christian family members, how to keep from becoming emotional when discussing faith iss
Is Doing the Right Thing a Sin If You Truly Believe It’s Wrong?
Is Doing the Right Thing a Sin If You Truly Believe It’s Wrong?
#STRask
September 22, 2025
Questions about whether Romans 14:23 means that doing the right thing is a sin if you truly believe it’s wrong, and how to reconcile Hebrews 10:16, wh
Faith Journeys: Similar Road, Different Conclusions - A Licona Ehrman Discussion
Faith Journeys: Similar Road, Different Conclusions - A Licona Ehrman Discussion
Risen Jesus
September 24, 2025
On the Risen Jesus podcast today, Dr. Michael Licona and Dr. Bart Ehrman join Justin Brierly on his Unbelievable podcast to discuss their faith journe
How Could the Similarities Between Krishna and Jesus Be a Coincidence?
How Could the Similarities Between Krishna and Jesus Be a Coincidence?
#STRask
October 9, 2025
Questions about how the similarities between Krishna and Jesus could be a coincidence and whether there’s any proof to substantiate the idea that Jesu
What Tools of Reasoning Help You Know What’s True, Right, and Good?
What Tools of Reasoning Help You Know What’s True, Right, and Good?
#STRask
December 4, 2025
Question about what tools of reasoning help us determine whether something is true or false, right or wrong, good or bad before bringing Scripture int
Is It a Sin to Feel Let Down by God?
Is It a Sin to Feel Let Down by God?
#STRask
November 6, 2025
Questions about whether it’s a sin to feel let down by God and whether it would be easier to have a personal relationship with a rock than with a God