In the first instalment of our ‘ask an expert’ series, acclaimed Professor Christopher Watkin – author of the best-selling ‘Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture’ – sits down with John Dickson to break down why he believes Christians were ahead of the curb when it came to establishing a critical theory.
This interview originally appeared on Episode 80 of the Undeceptions podcast ‘Critical Theory’, hosted by John Dickson. Head here to hear the full episode: https://undeceptions.com/podcast/crit…
Christopher Watkin is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow in the Arts Faculty at Monash University where he leads a research project into the contemporary social contract.
With special thanks to Zondervan Academic.
Editing: Richard Hamwi
References: Alasdair Belling
0:00 – Introduction to Professor Watkin
0:20 – What is critical theory?
5:25 – Developing a biblical critical theory
9:57 – The Trinity and social theory
13:47 – Biblical environmental ethics
17:10 – Dignity without deity
19:35 – If you want equality you need sin
22:38 – Sin is good for the left and the right
24:53 – Faith vs reason
27:27 – Reductive heresies
35:10 – The Exodus: deconstructing freedom
39:45 – Why did Jesus appear in the first century?
42:49 – How did Jesus live?
46:25 – Two cities, two loves
49:03 – History from below
52:40 – The crucifixion as a social critique
56:24 – Justice and judgement
1:01:04 – Biblical worldliness
