Abstract
Voddie T. Baucham is the dean of the School of Divinity at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. In this National Bestseller, Baucham underscores the need to understand the origins of Critical Social Justice (CSJ). He states that the CSJ worldview informs the social justice movement, which was accentuated after the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Baucham argues that the CSJ worldview divides people between “the oppressors and the oppressed” (6). Referring to Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and versions of Critical Theory (CRT/I) as “demonic” (230), Baucham calls on Christians to avoid the social justice movement, stating that the “Church must be awake and aware of what it means and where it comes from” (2). Baucham states that influential Christian leaders have fallen victim to the social justice movement; thus, he writes to awaken the Church to choose wisely between “the two sides of the fault line” (7).
Bauchman engages diverse literature and genre, he introduces the reader to a plethora of resources that are relevant to the theme he addresses and encourages the reader to undertake personal research. Bauchman has not only studied the issue of race but has experienced issues related to race. Therefore, he weaves his arguments with empirical data and personal anecdotes. Bauchman sieves through the jargon on the race-debate by challenging what he describes as collusion between the social justice movement and some evangelicals.
Although Baucham rejects the worldview behind the social justice movement, he does not dismiss the social justice movement; rather, he engages the social justice movement critically. However, Baucham saves his harshest critique for influential evangelicals he believes have ignorantly embraced the social justice movement. Baucham mentions these evangelicals by name and challenges their assertions. In doing so, he provides evidence that spans diverse disciplines.
Baucham's diagnosis and solution to racism in America differs from most conventional perspectives. He argues that while America is not a racist country, racism exists in America. Nevertheless, he insists that the problem of racism is sin, not privilege. Therefore, he calls the Church and society at large to confess and repent for their roles in perpetuating racism. Deviating from people and institutions that preach reparations as a solution to addressing racism in America, Baucham proffers forgiveness as the solution to racism (229).
Baucham interacts with the sources effectively, particularly authors with whom he disagrees. He draws from their positions to buttress his positions. For instance, he quotes a statement by Kehinde Andrews book, Rhodes Must Fall. Andrews makes the case that oppressed black people possessed the truth that can liberate their “white oppressors.” Baucham draws upon Andrew's statement to proof his claim about the divisive nature of the CSJ worldview that informs the social justice movement.
Drawing from his vast research, Baucham begins the book with a brief autobiography. Thus, he discusses his upbringing as a black man and a black Christian in America in the first two chapters. He then segues into arguing for the need for true justice. Next, he shows how the CSJ worldview of the social gospel has created new forms of religion, priesthood, and canon, which he posits pursues false justice. Baucham argues that the new forms of religion, priesthood, and canon are creating destructive impacts that would be felt for years. He concludes by suggesting strategies for restoring biblical principles, mitigating the impacts of the social justice movement, and returning to biblical justice. Lastly, he provides appendices to supplement some of his arguments in the book.
Even though Baucham mentions his membership as a Southern Baptist and a Calvinist, evangelicalism's divide today is not on doctrinal stances, but it is on human identity. What this also underlines is the need to recognize the fault lines within evangelicalism itself. And Baucham notes the cleavages within the Southern Baptist in his portrayal of the highly charged atmosphere at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in 2019 on the issue of race.
Also, the book needed a bibliography page and an index page. It is a challenge going back into the book to find authors and relevant topics.
Finally, Baucham's book is reminiscent of Rod Dreher's book, Live Not by Lies (2020). Crafting the stories of survivors of Soviet rule and the literature, Dreher shows the challenge Americans have in realizing the peril of totalitarianism today. He underscores the need to protect freedom. Baucham's book also recalls Carl R. Trueman's book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (2020). Trueman outlines the historical roots of issues such as transgenderism and homosexuality within Western contexts that contribute to the modern perception of the self, and he offers a measured biblical analysis.
There are three pertinent areas of convergences between the three books. First, the books are written for Western audiences, specifically American Christians. Second, the authors share similar positions on the contemporary social justice movement. Dreher cautions Christians from debating “Social Justice Warriors” (63), arguing that Christians should work for social justice only when it is faithful to biblical justice (65). Baucham also advocates for biblical justice, not social justice (5). And Trueman places the blame for the current sexual revolution at the feet of the social justice movement (295, 386).
Third, as Baucham, Trueman, and Dreher concur that sin is what plagues the Western world. Trueman argues that expressive individualism openly celebrates the “more shameful elements of private character” (380). Dreher also maintains that social structures and practices that refute sin and separate people from God are unjust (65).
The book is an important contribution to the consequential debate on race. Academics, and professionals across every discipline, will find this book engaging and informative. Despite the scholarly approach of the book, Bauchman writes with clarity that anyone will find this book helpful for engaging the debate on race most effectively.
