Should a Christian Agree with Critical Race Theory?

Introduction

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic framework that examines how institutions, systems, and history have created and maintained inequality based on race.

When a Christian encounters this theory, they must discern which aspects are useful tools for understanding social problems and which aspects conflict with the ultimate authority of Scripture. The Christian response is typically one of qualified acceptance or firm rejection, based on the theory's foundations.

1. Where Critical Race Theory Aligns with Biblical Justice

Some aspects of CRT can offer useful tools for a Christian seeking to address injustice and fulfill the biblical mandate to care for the oppressed.

• Exposing Systemic Sin (The Jeremiah Principle): The Bible teaches that sin is not just individual but can corrupt entire societies, families, and institutions. CRT’s focus on systemic injustice—examining how laws or cultural norms can unjustly disadvantage certain groups—parallels the biblical prophets who condemned Israel's corrupted systems that oppressed the poor or marginalized.

  • Scripture Says: "The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: 'It is you who have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.'" (Isaiah 3:14). This supports the idea that systems, not just individuals, can be instruments of injustice.

• A Call for Repentance and Justice: CRT encourages recognizing and acting upon historical wrongs. This aligns with the biblical call for justice and repentance (metanoia—a change of mind leading to a change of action). Christians are commanded to "do justice" and "love mercy" (Micah 6:8).

• Listening to the Marginalized: The framework emphasizes listening to the lived experiences of marginalized groups. This aligns with the biblical command to give special consideration to the vulnerable and listen to the pleas of the oppressed.

2. Where Critical Race Theory Conflicts with Biblical Truth

Fundamental to Christianity are concepts of sin, identity, and truth that are often at odds with the philosophical roots of CRT.

• Identity Based on Race vs. Identity in Christ: CRT often establishes race as the central defining feature of a person's identity and life experience, creating permanent categories of "oppressor" and "oppressed." The Bible, however, teaches that the ultimate, shared human identity is created in God's image and that the ultimate, shared Christian identity is "in Christ," which transcends racial, social, and gender divisions.

  • Scripture Says: "Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all" (Colossians 3:11).

• The Root of Sin is Universal, Not Just Systemic: While systems are corrupt, CRT can imply that sin is primarily a structural problem defined by power. The Bible teaches that sin is a universal condition of the heart that affects all individuals, regardless of their racial or social group. Every person needs redemption, not just a system overhaul.

  • Scripture Says: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

• Relativism and Truth: Many of the philosophical underpinnings of CRT (like Postmodernism) promote moral relativism (as discussed in a previous lesson), asserting that truth is merely a product of power or perspective. This directly conflicts with the Christian belief in objective truth and the absolute authority of the unchanging Word of God.

3. The Christian Mandate: Engage, Discern, and Reconcile

The Christian approach should be to use the diagnostic tools of CRT where they are helpful, but always subordinate them to the authority of Scripture.

• Discernment Over Blind Adherence: Christians should use CRT as a lens to analyze society, but never as the foundation for truth. We must "test everything" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and be careful not to allow a secular philosophy to define the Christian understanding of sin, justice, or identity.

• The Goal is Reconciliation: The Christian’s ultimate work is not merely exposing systemic flaws, but living out the Gospel, which brings reconciliation between God and humanity, and between people who are divided. This work of unity through Christ must remain the highest priority.

  • Scripture Says: "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Conclusion

A Christian should not agree wholesale with Critical Race Theory because its non-biblical foundations regarding identity and truth conflict with the Gospel.

However, a Christian can and should use the insights that CRT offers about systemic injustice to inform their pursuit of biblical justice and to live out the ministry of reconciliation that Christ has entrusted to the Church.