What is the book about?
Christianity and Wokeness (hereafter, "The Book") shows how the seeds of Critical Race Theory (hereafter, CRT) quietly pollutes, destroys and damages the church. The Book highlights the dangers of falling prey to the philosophies and ideologies of CRT. It is helpful in that it shows how focussing on skin colour is antithetical to the gospel of grace and therefore it (CRT) must be rejected. What Owen Strachan (hereafter, Strachan") adequately demonstrates is how gospel language is being replaced by an anti-God, anti-gospel and anti-grace rhetoric. The book covers the nature, historical connections and systems of CRT, while revealing both the Theological and Cultural challenges. Strachan provides an excellent biblical response to the invasion of CRT, Black Lives Matter (hereafter, BLM) and Social Justice (hereafter, SJ) in the church.
Worth Quoting
"In many pulpits across the evangelical movement, Gospel language is being supplanted by socialist rhetoric." John MacArthur, page xx.
Highlight/s
The books shows the how vicious, unforgiving and dangerous Woke Theology and Ideology is. There are many highlights in this book, but what I found most helpful are the four points below. Please note these are my summary points not Strachan's.
No grace, no love: Is was really shocking to see the coldness of this movement. Strachan points out that the general sentiment that runs through this movement is that "all white people are racists" (p.1). He sates, "[I]n this system there is no grace and no love. There is only grievance, resentment, and condemnation" (ibid). While there may be some people who sincerely aim to bring about change and seek peace, the reality is that the system in and of itself is not geared or equipped to provide grace, love, peace or true restoration.
The Great Sin - White Supremacy: One of the most shocking statements (and there are quite a few) is made by a young female speaker at a "missions conference". Her claim is that Christianity has been adulterated because of white supremacy (p. 29). The great sin, is not our fallenness, worldliness or even the church's neglect of the great commission but rather courting white supremacy. The implications of her claim is that the church has been blinded, led and influenced by White Supremacists. I wonder how this works in Africa, India or any other predominantly non-white countries? The danger of seeing race as the big-divide is that race becomes the big divide. While Christianity does not condone the evils of White Supremacy, it is erroneous to think that Christianity was created by White Supremacists. Stachan, masterfully highlights the dangers of this unforgivable sin of being white.
Creating the monster we're killing: Strachan's analysis of the theological issues are excellent. Here he shows the problems we face when the church surrenders to CRT. In the list of theological issues it creates (or ignores), there is one that shows the self-defeating nature of CRT and Wokeness. Strachan says "wokeness actually foments the very sin it presumes to critique: 'racism'" (p.65). This is a helpful insight. In the pursuit to kill the monster called racism, we create a monster called racism. You cannot kill racism by racism. Christians, of all people should know that only the cross can eradicate this sin of partiality, racism, or discrimination.
Aligned against God: BLM is brought into the discussion as a direct implication of the CRT and Woke ideology. In showing the dangers of BLM, Strachan magnifies a few of the BLM convictions which include the dismantling of the Biblical family, while celebration queer and transgender (among other things) ideology. In so doing they align themselves against God, Strachan says "[I]n supporting homosexuality, transgenderism, and the demise of the natural family, BLM aligns itself in the starkest terms against God’s creation order" (p.76). Many do not know what they are supporting when they align themselves with BLM, Wokeness and CRT.
Low-light/s
NA
Take-Aways
Churches who celebrate, CRT, BLM and Wokeness celebrate that which God condemns.
CRT, BLM and Wokeness will cripple churches by supplanting gospel truth
Objected truth and morality is not rooted in White Supremacy but instead finds its origins in God.
Wokeness will corrupt your worldview and will blind us from focussing and seeing the truth.
Final Thought
This is a needful reminder, considering the time we are in. The book is a must read for church leaders as they shepherd God's flock through the minefields of CRT, BLM and Wokeness. It will help avoid the many pitfalls that so many are stumbling through. While it is a substantial read, with some weighty concepts it is worth the time. I highly recommend this book to any believer who need insight on this topic.
Strachan warns, "Church leaders who would self-identify as “Gospel-centered” seem to have shifted the actual focus of their message to “social justice” and other themes borrowed from CRT’s tapestry of pet issues..." (p.xx), to which I say, Amen!
Strachan, Owen. Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement Is Hijacking the Gospel - and the Way to Stop It. Salem Books.