Template:Critical theory

Critical theory views their own version of reality through a lens of power, dividing people into groups of oppressed or oppressor through rhetoric focusing on race, class, gender, abilities, and age.

Critical theory

Critical theory is a philosophical approach to culture, and especially to literature, that seeks to confront the social, historical, and ideological forces and structures that produce and constrain it. The term is applied particularly to the work of the Frankfurt School. Critical theory is the reflective assessment and critique of society and culture by applying knowledge from the social sciences and the humanities to reveal and challenge power structures. Critical theory has origins in sociology and also in literary criticism. The sociologist Max Horkheimer described a theory as critical insofar as it seeks "to liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them."

Critical theory is not the result of critical thinking which "is the analysis of facts to form a judgment. The subject is complex, and several different definitions exist, which generally include the rational, skeptical, unbiased analysis, or evaluation of factual evidence.

Critical thinking on the other hand is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities as well as a commitment to overcome native egocentrism and sociocentrism. It is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment."

Clarke Scheibe, Director of the L’Abri Fellowship in Victoria, British Columbia stated the idea that “social justice is the end goal of Christianity.”

If the kingdom of God is to be realized in our day we may need to change our thinking in the “pursuit of justice” to a moral “pursuit of justice” void of the covetous practices so common today among Modern Christians

It is the inadequate approach of modern Christians in the practice of pure Religion which has "corroded their beliefs, corroded their confidence in God and in the Bible.”

We are commanded by Christ to pursue justice in attending to the "weightier matters".

http://www.preparingyou.com/wiki/Weightier_matters

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The Critical Commune

Scheibe considered several questions. “How did we get here?” “What is at work?” “How does it relate to Biblical Christianity?” And finally, “is there a way forward?”

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Rick went on to say, "Some chose “to live in communes” away from the “tyranny of capitalism.”" But by definition Capitalism cannot be tyranny.

In America, you can start a cooperative or move into a socialist commune away from what people imagine to be a “tyranny of capitalism.” In truth, there is no “tyranny of capitalism” because Capitalism is merely "an economic system based on private ownership, control, and operation of the means of production and their beneficial use. But there is certainly tyranny in "proposed silencing conservatives in the interest of progress" leftist ideologies like those of Herbert Marcus who was a German-American philosopher, sociologist, and political theorist, associated with the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory.

There is no room in a socialist State to start your own capitalist free-market commune.

What we see among those following “cultural Marxism,” is that revenge and oppression of conservatives are not considered a "heinous crime" against those who dare to disagree because their disagreement is considered "hate speech".

If we believe the word of the Bible as it claims in: Isaiah 63:4 "For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come." and in Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Vengeance is not ours to pursue.

Dividing of the world into the oppressors and the oppressed, or the “powerful, or advantaged,” and the “powerless, or disadvantage” will alter society and the way it thinks

This controls the way people informally relate to one another, resulting in unjust outcomes.

Those who embrace critical theory may not reject “the American dream” of prospering but may reject the self-denying nature of Christianity. he real church does not "play a part” in “patterns of oppression.” "Christianity" may include self-denial but only so that you may prosper in good health.

3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. " 2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Liberation theology

Liberation theology began in the 1960s but the oppression of the poor is not “the number one consequence of idolatry.” It is the oppression of the middle class and even the rich to provide free bread which was “the number one consequence of idolatry.” It was the forced contributions of the foreigner and then of the citizens to provide social security and free bread that gave rise to idolatry. http://preparingyou.com/wiki/Idolatry

Critical Theory focuses on the thoughts and assumptions people have about what is just, right, and fair which reinforces oppression. Freeing oneself from the oppressive ideas of dominant groups is what Israel did in Egypt. But their tactics were decidedly different than the modern "woke generation". The Bible is about "liberating marginalized groups" through those groups faithfully practicing of "Pure Religion" in a "daily ministration" of "charity". In fact “intersectionality” is the antitheses of true Christianity.

Romans 10:12 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."

Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

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Repressive tolerance

Repressive tolerance is the passive acceptance of social and governmental practices, policies and actions which restrict freedom in an absolute sense.

“Repressive tolerance”, grows in the seed of vanity and pride not humility and sacrifice. We see the idea of repression only in the enemies of Christ, not in his followers. Ambrose professed Christ but called on the the persecution of those not like his form of Christians. http://preparingyou.com/wiki/Ambrose

Critical theory will not “eliminate oppressive structures,” nor “create a unified society” without both a critical and moral study of an honest and "reflective assessment and critique of society and culture". It will always result in “a new oppressor class.” You cannot rid your society of oppression by changing who is allowed to oppress.

Polybius said it "The masses continue with an appetite for benefits and the habit of receiving them by way of a rule of force and violence. The people, having grown accustomed to feed at the expense of others and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others... institute the rule of violence; and now uniting their forces massacre, banish, and plunder, until they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch."

Oppression is not the result of Capitalism but is the choice of those slothful in love.

• Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
• Exodus 23:9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
• Leviticus 25:14 And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour’s hand, ye shall not oppress one another:
• Leviticus 25:17 Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the LORD your God.
• Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
• Proverbs 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
• Proverbs 22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
• Proverbs 22:22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
• Proverbs 28:3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
• Proverbs 28:16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
• James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? * 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 ¶ If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

The way forward is the way of Christ which does not include the sloth and covetousness of modern Christians.

• Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
• 2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
• 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
• 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

A questioner asked if the categories of oppression identified by critical theory are compatible with the idea of oppression presented in Scripture. Scheibe responded that he does see instances of structural injustice but modern governments do not have the structure recommended in the Bible. Modern governments have instituted systems that follow in the patterns of Cain and his Altars of force, Nimrod and his top-down system taking and taking warned about in 1 Samuel 8, Pharaoh and His corvee, and the Pharisees and their Corban. None of their modern constitutions include the five restrictions the Bible tells us to write down and read to any ruler or executive power we grant authority.

Critical theory, however, by its very principles, uncritically accepts the claims people in grouped categories deemed oppressed. The possibility that those classed as oppressed might, in fact, be oppressors in some situations is excluded or even licensed.

Another questioner observed from his experience where critical theory is widely accepted that “no matter how kind you are, and gentle you are” people cannot be made to see the bad consequences of implementing critical theory. Scheibe, according to the article, responded that where critical theory is widely accepted, it may be difficult if not impossible to engage the situation from a Christian standpoint. ut what is a "Christian standpoint" if we apply critical thinking to our interpreted view of modern Christianity versus early Christianity?

It was asked at what point it becomes necessary to leave an institution dominated by critical theory, and move, if possible, to new institutions. Scheibe said he encouraged people to remain in their institutions if possible, but also said that there may be times when one has to leave institutions that have become pervasively corrupt with critical theory. He said that he was thankful that homeschooling was still legal in Canada, and even many people who are not Christians homeschool their children to avoid the radicalism of critical theory taught in public schools from kindergarten. Regrettably, he warns that “the current liberal government of Canada is trying to figure out how to get to the homeschool kids.”

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We too advocate homeschooling, home health, home industry but do not tell people, because His Holy Church has no exercising authority to do so, to not gather with others. We do emphasize and facilitate gathering in free assemblies in the pattern of Tens as commanded by Christ. We do advocate a daily ministration of Pure Religion and discourage dependence upon the modern systems of Corban and Social Security provided by modern systems like Rome through public religion. We show how those modern systems wreak of the covetous practices of socialism which Peter tells us will entangle us again in the yoke of bondage through the elements of the world, make us "merchandise" and even "curse children" making them surety for debt.

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It was also observed that people from Christian backgrounds affected by critical theory tend to regard evangelism as a kind of aggression. Scheibe responded that the gospel can be truncated either by eliminating the effort to win souls to Christ or ignoring injustices in society. He said, however, that it is “really through the conversion of hearts those structural changes come.” Critical Theory’s Advent in the Christian World, and How to Respond by RICK PLASTERER

It is “really through the conversion of hearts" through repentance that those structural changes come.”. And with only true repentance, a changing of the mind, may those "structural changes come”.

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We understand that if people examine with true critical thinking the scriptures, the whole word and way, the commands of Christ, and the warnings of Christ and his disciples that they will have to begin to understand what the wages of unrighteousness, the benefits of the world that spot their religion include. With honest humility, there can be true repentance which will bring the biblical structure to society that Moses spoke of and Christ appointed for His Kingdom of God. Through that structure under the perfect law of liberty we may all seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. That structure must include a daily ministration through the charity of pure Religion, not the covetous practices of public religion through the "benefactors" required to operate a socialist utopia which degenerates the people into "perfect savages" in what always becomes a dystopia. To accomplish and obtain what we should be seeking the people need to gather in the tens as commanded by Christ and the ordained ministers of His Church need to comply with His direct instructions for His disciples.

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