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

Critical theory and its expression in fields such as critical race theory, critical pedagogy, and queer theory are having a profound impact on our culture. Contemporary critical theory’s ideas about race, class, gender, identity, and justice have dramatically shaped how people think, act, and view one another—in Christian and secular spheres alike. In Critical Dilemma, authors Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer illuminate the origins and influences of contemporary critical theory, considering it in the light of clear reason and biblical orthodoxy. While acknowledging that it can provide some legitimate insights regarding race, class, and gender, Critical Dilemma exposes the false assumptions at the heart of critical theory, arguing that it poses a serious threat to both the church and society at large. Drawing on exhaustive research and careful analysis, Shenvi and Sawyer condemn racism, urge Christians to seek justice, and offer a path forward for racial healing and unity while also opposing critical theory’s manifold errors.

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Type: Hardback
ISBN: 9780736988704

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Neil Shenvi has an AB in chemistry from Princeton and a PhD in theoretical chemistry from UC Berkeley. He is the author of Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity and is widely recognized for his writing on critical theory, which can be found in journals like Eikon and The Journal of Christian Legal Thought. He is married and has four children. Pat Sawyer has a BA in psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill, an MA in communication studies, and a PhD in educational studies and cultural studies, both from UNC-Greensboro. He is a faculty member at UNC-Greensboro and is published in the academy and in a number of popular outlets including The Federalist, The Gospel Coalition, and The American Conservative.

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‘I have read this manuscript and find the content objective, erudite, and readable, and engaging. The authors explain the connection of CRT to other cultural movements—Queer Theory , BLM, defunding police, etc. As they write, “Since its inception, critical race theory has insisted that racism, sexism, and heterosexism are all ‘interlocking systems of oppression’ that must be exposed and dismantled.” This insightful book is a must read for those who care about what’s happening in our culture’ Don S Otis