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Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology—Implications for the Church and Society Spiral-Bound | October 3, 2023

Neil Shenvi, Pat Sawyer, Carl R. Trueman (Foreword by)

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Critical Dilemma illuminate the origins and influences of contemporary critical theory and consider it in the light of clear reason and biblical orthodoxy. Authors Shenvi and Sawyer offer a path forward for racial healing and unity while also opposing critical theory’s manifold errors.

Where Are Critical Theory and the Social Justice Movement Taking Us?

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
Original Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 528 pages
ISBN-10: 073698870X
Item Weight: 2.46 lbs
Dimensions: 6.0 x 1.58 x 9.0 inches
Customer Reviews: No Rating out of 5 stars Up to 30 ratings

“A charitable parsing of contemporary critical theories, Critical Dilemma untangles what’s useful from what’s ineffective among the teachings associated with racial, gender, and economic equity. The work roundly denounces racism and other systemically abusive antihuman evils, yet argues that critical theories struggle to provide meaningful solutions without creating de-humanizing inequities of their own. Critical Dilemma engages popular ideas without hurling invective, making it unique in the discussion. Those who have been wrongly labeled as Marxist, or as upholding white supremacy, or (astonishingly) as both, will appreciate the authors’ careful definition of terms; insiders struggling with the systems’ inconsistencies and fearful of the backlash that accompanies critique will draw courage to voice concerns and find themselves introduced to a true pro-human approach to equality that liberates body, mind, and soul.”
—K.A. Ellis, director at The Edmiston Center at Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA

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.