OpenTheo

A Critical Look at Critical Theory with Carl Trueman

Life and Books and Everything — Clearly Reformed

A Critical Look at Critical Theory with Carl Trueman

October 16, 2024
Life and Books and Everything
Life and Books and EverythingClearly Reformed

In his new book To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse, Carl Trueman argues that “Critical theory [sees] any notion of human nature as merely an ideological or social construct, a function of discourses of power.” Even though critical theory makes for dense reading, and is probably very little read by people in the pew, the ideas and assumptions of critical theory have shaped our world in undeniable ways. Listen in as Kevin and Carl talk about what critical theory is, where it came from, and how the church can provide a better, truer, and more beautiful alternative.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro & Sponsors

4:48 What Kind of Historian Are You?

9:03 Why Talk About These Things?

24:23 The Critical Question

46:04 Sponsor Break

47:46 How Do These Ideas Shape Christians?

1:02:43 Closing Questions

1:13:18 Until Next Time….

Books & Everything:

ESV Men's Study Bible

Here We Stand

Puritan Treasures for Today

Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate

To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse

From Frankfurt to Fox: The Strange Career of Critical Theory

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More From Life and Books and Everything

What Does It Mean to Be an Evangelical? With Andrew Atherstone and David Ceri Jones
What Does It Mean to Be an Evangelical? With Andrew Atherstone and David Ceri Jones
Life and Books and Everything
October 23, 2024
A few months ago, a prominent American scholar, Matthew Avery Sutton, published an article arguing there is no “through line” from Christians of the p
Everyday Gospel with Paul Tripp
Everyday Gospel with Paul Tripp
Life and Books and Everything
November 6, 2024
Most Christians in conservative churches are familiar with Paul Tripp’s books. He’s one of the most popular authors in the church today, with a knack
The Life and Ministry of R.C. Sproul with Stephen Nichols
The Life and Ministry of R.C. Sproul with Stephen Nichols
Life and Books and Everything
November 21, 2024
Recently, Steve Nichols spoke at the Faithful Conference, an annual conference for Christ Covenant Church. After giving a lecture on R.C. Sproul, Stev
Westminster Divines, Spiritual Warfare, and the Neglected Practice of Hospitality with Chad Van Dixhoorn
Westminster Divines, Spiritual Warfare, and the Neglected Practice of Hospitality with Chad Van Dixhoorn
Life and Books and Everything
September 25, 2024
It’s not everyday you get to hear from the world’s expert on the Westminster Assembly (and who among us does not wish to know more about the Westminst
Life, and Ministry, and Laughter with Jason Helopoulos
Life, and Ministry, and Laughter with Jason Helopoulos
Life and Books and Everything
August 28, 2024
Listen as the two friends talk about the Land of Lincoln, about influential books and authors in their lives, and how the importance of friendship. Yo
Reading, Writing, and the Olympics with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Reading, Writing, and the Olympics with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
August 14, 2024
After a summer hiatus, the fellas are back together to kick off a new season of LBE. If you always look forward to the sports banter with these three,
More From "Life and Books and Everything"

More on OpenTheo

Does Open-Mindedness Require Studying Other Religions Before Becoming a Christian?
Does Open-Mindedness Require Studying Other Religions Before Becoming a Christian?
#STRask
February 9, 2026
Questions about the claim that if Christians really want to be open-minded, they need to read and study other religions before committing to Christian
What Is Wrong with Wokeness? With Neil Shenvi
What Is Wrong with Wokeness? With Neil Shenvi
Life and Books and Everything
January 19, 2026
In this timely interview, Kevin talks to Neil Shenvi about his new book (co-authored with Pat Sawyer), entitled “Post Woke: Asserting a Biblical Visio
Keri Ingraham: School Choice and Education Reform
Keri Ingraham: School Choice and Education Reform
Knight & Rose Show
January 24, 2026
Wintery Knight and guest host Bonnie welcome Dr. Keri Ingraham to discuss school choice and education reform. They discuss the public school monopoly'
Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley
Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley
Life and Books and Everything
December 15, 2025
In a rare cultural anomaly that may never be repeated in our lifetimes, the current SBC President and current PCA Moderator live in the same neighborh
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
How Do I Determine Which Topics at Work Are Worth Commenting On?
How Do I Determine Which Topics at Work Are Worth Commenting On?
#STRask
January 5, 2026
Questions about how to determine which topics at work are worth commenting on, and a good way to respond when you’re in a group Bible study and hear e
What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?
What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?
#STRask
January 19, 2026
Questions about whether there’s an issue with churches advertising on social media, whether it’s weird if we pray along with a YouTuber, and whether C
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
Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
Life and Books and Everything
November 26, 2025
How should Protestants think about the Catholic Mass? About the Eucharist? About the history and development of the papacy? In this panel discussion,
Did God Create Us So He Wouldn’t Be Alone?
Did God Create Us So He Wouldn’t Be Alone?
#STRask
November 3, 2025
Questions about whether God created us so he wouldn’t be alone, what he had before us, and a comparison between the Muslim view of God and the Christi
Why Does the Bible Teach You How to Be a Proper Slave Owner?
Why Does the Bible Teach You How to Be a Proper Slave Owner?
#STRask
November 13, 2025
Question about why it seems like the Bible teaches you how to be a proper slave owner rather than than saying, “Stop it. Give them freedom.”   * It s
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 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
How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?
How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?
#STRask
November 27, 2025
Questions about how to explain modesty to a nine-year-old in a way that won’t cause shame about her body, and when and how to tell a child about a pre
How Do I Reconcile the Image of God as Judge with His Love, Grace, and Kindness?
How Do I Reconcile the Image of God as Judge with His Love, Grace, and Kindness?
#STRask
October 20, 2025
Questions about how to reconcile the image of God as a judge with his love, grace, and kindness, why our sins are considered to be sins against God, a