THE INFLUENCE OF CRITICAL THEORY
Critical Race Theory, Literary Critical Theory, and Criti-
cal Pedagogy are all subsets of Critical Theory. The theory
assumes social “progress” can only occur when the tradi-
tions, social structures, and norms of acceptable behavior
found in a particular culture are torn down or “disintegrat-
ed” to make way for a new social order to arise from the
ashes. Critical Theory is a form of Marxism and is some-
times called “Cultural Marxism” or “Neo-Marxism.” It is
driven by rampant criticism of traditional social structures,
which are seen as “controlling” and “oppressive.” The ulti-
mate goal is the collapse of such structures.
If you do not know what Critical Theory is by name, you
know it by its effects. You cannot escape its current running
through radio, television, social media, and advertising. We
are being flooded by its weight.
Critical Theory is a lens through which many Americans
(whether they realize it or not) now view society and human
freedom. It is based upon a system of premises developed
after World War II by a group of “social theorists” who fled
Germany and came to the United States. This group became
known as the Frankfurt School.
The members of this school of ideas found welcome mats
at prestigious American universities, and their activist ideas
have influenced higher education ever since. This group
included Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, Herbert
Marcuse, and Erich Fromm.
Critical Theory is on a bold mission with a compelling
(some would say heroic) purpose. This purpose provides
the fuel that feeds its engine. That fuel is “human emanci-
pation” and “liberation,” as defined by Critical Theory itself.
The Frankfurt School divided people groups into two
categories: the oppressed and the oppressors. Critical Theory
can be summed up by the idea that oppressed (dominated)
people groups must be liberated from all forms of oppres-
sion, particularly in relation to gender, race, class, politics,
and religion.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT CRITICAL THEORY IS BY NAME,
YOU KNOW IT BY ITS EFFECTS.
YOU CANNOT ESCAPE ITS CURRENT RUNNING THROUGH
RADIO, TELEVISION, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ADVERTISING.
WE ARE BEING FLOODED BY ITS WEIGHT.
According to Critical Theory, it is a person’s group iden-
tity that determines whether he or she is an “oppressor” or
“oppressed.” Critical Theory rejects the idea that people are
individually guilty or innocent. Any “dominant group” that
expects others to abide by its norms and values is oppressive
and must be silenced.
Domination of human beings is the enemy, no matter
what form this domination takes. Freedom from the obli-
gation to conform to any oppressing group’s norms is the
goal of Critical Theory, and social transformation is the
intended outcome.
From its beginnings, Critical Theory has been about
changing society, not just understanding or explaining it.
Thus, Critical Theory “liberators” are often activists.
Followers of Christ, who believe that biblical norms
governing morality are determined by God (sanctity of
life, marriage, homosexuality) and that these norms apply
to everyone equally, are members of an “oppressor group.”
There are efforts to silence Christianity because it teaches
there are universal, objective, and unchanging moral norms
(expectations) that apply to everyone.
From the standpoint of Critical Theory, the biblical
God is the ultimate oppressor. People must be liberat-
ed from the very idea of a personal deity who exists
and has spoken about how we should live.
Critical Theory (through both unknowing and
knowing adherents) is now fueling an impassioned
fight to “liberate” America from its ultimate oppres-
sion: biblically informed Christianity. I believe this is
at the root of the cold civil war we are in.
Due to pervasive ideas spawned by critical theo-
rists, there are some buzz words that followers of
Christ should understand. The words don’t mean
what Christians think. The term oppression (in the
context of Critical Theory), does not necessarily
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