Critical Theory

Critical theory is all in the news lately. However, it goes back a long way. I myself studied critical theory decades ago, before it became critical [X] theory, where [X] stands for any one of a number of subjects. One of the core characteristics of critical theory is that it is "normative", and because it is normative, it is critical. In practice, this means that it sets quite a harsh standard. By way of contrast, in the Church we say that believers are in the phase of sanctification, which falls in between justification (the beginning of our Christian walk) and glorification (the end of it). Sanctification means that God is doing something good in every believer, and implies that what you see now is not what you will see at the end of what God has done. How then does one reconcile such wonderful grace with ... call it the law. OBSERVATION: As a minister, I have always said, God is doing a great work here, with all of us. I cannot imagine that a Church could succeed if its greater emphasis were on critical theory.