BIBLICAL CRITICAL THEORY:
How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense
of Modern Life and Culture
By Christopher Watkin
Zondervan. 624 pages. £34.40
ISBN 978 0 310 128 724
For those of us who advocate the imperative of Biblically faithful cultural critique and construction, Chris Watkins’ Biblical Critical Theory (BCT ) has been garnering no end of praise, and generating a great deal of giddiness.
Rightly so. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s beautifully written and it has arrived not a moment too soon, as we try and make sense of our bewildering late-modern world and offer a big, bold and beautiful alternative.
Chris has taken away my blunt machete and given me a scalpel, indeed he’s given all of us a whole set of diagnostic and surgical tools. His inspiration is none other than Augustine’s City of God and, while one would not want his volume to be freighted by a comparison with that virtually incomparable ‘classic’, I predict with confidence that BCT will become a seminal text for us and subsequent generations.
But what exactly is Biblical critical theory? The title might appear intimidating and, at nearly 700 pages, the book certainly may look indigestible (even though Chris calls it a ‘tasting menu’!). In order to ‘sell’ the book to you, I’m going describe it in three ways, one of which, I hope, will whet your appetite.
First, for many young Christians, doing a ‘Bible overview’ for the first time is a revelatory experience, as one sees God’s big picture and storyline from Genesis to Revelation: Creation, Fall, Redemption and New Creation. BCT is a Bible overview, the most maximal Bible overview you could imagine. At each turning point in the Biblical narrative, by highlighting the characteristic patterns and rhythms presented to us time and again therein, BCT engages in a conversation with other ways of viewing the world – other stories, patterns and rhythms that are predominant in our culture. It’s a huge exercise in compare and contrast.
Second, the idea of ‘theory’ and ‘critical theory’, while existing in the lecture theatre for many years, has recently made its way into the public consciousness in terms of ‘critical race theory’, ‘queer theory’, etc. Evangelicals have starting talking about it, at times producing more heat than light. Chris helpfully defines ‘theory’ in the broad sense as a theoretical approach to the whole of life that makes certain things viable, visible and valuable. It’s the lens through which we see and interpret everything. And so a Biblical critical theory does exactly what it says on the tin: ‘My aim in these pages is to paint a picture of humanity and of our world through the lens of the Bible and to compare aspects of this image to alternative visions. It is a book about how the whole Bible sheds light on the whole of life, how we can read and understand our society, our culture, and ourselves through the lens of the Bible’s storyline. It does not try to explain and defend the Bible to the culture; it seeks to analyse and critique the culture through the Bible.’ It should be noted though that ‘the Christian story is not engaged in an out-narration catfight with all the other competing stories in our culture, nor is it there just to purr at them approvingly.’ Rather, ‘there is a particular Christian way of out-narrating, a way that can both hurt and heal but that does neither unthinkingly, that can both critique and compliment but never does so just to play to the gallery or to curry favour.’ In contrast to the current state we’re in, and culturally when we think of our seemingly impregnable impasses and intractable problems, BCT is a positive, constructive vision, blueprint, and yes, manifesto for society, which demonstrates time and again how the gospel of Jesus Christ in all its depth and breadth is the subversive fulfilment of all and every culture.
Third, and perhaps most straightforwardly, BCT seeks to answer the ‘So what?’ question. What are the implications and applications of the Biblical story and of historic orthodox Christian doctrine? As Chris notes, the book might have been called Know What Follows from What You Believe.
Intrigued? I hope so. This really is essential reading, with the bonus that there is a lightness of touch to Chris’ writing coupled with a brilliant array of illustrations from a wide range of cultural sources, which makes it a joy to read (it’s interesting to note that perhaps the most quoted author in the book is G.K. Chesterton).
From first steps in Christian discipleship, to catechesis, seminary, and through to the highest level of academic research, Biblical Critical Theory will be a foundation and frame for years to come. At Crosslands Forum we are already planning a guided reading group for the New Year as it’s the kind of text we should be discussing and wrestling with together. However, most of all, and as Chris himself entreats us, I really did finish BCT in a doxological mood, lost in wonder, love and praise for our wonderful Creator and Redeemer. I can give no better recommendation than that.
