Developing a Biblical Framework with Christopher Watkin

When Russell Moore first heard the title of Christopher Watkin’s new book, Biblical Critical Theory, his mind immediately went to the controversy around critical race theory. But, as this episode’s conversation with Watkin—a professor and senior lecturer at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, reveals—it’s about so much more.

Tune in for a rich discussion of what critical theory actually is (and isn’t), what it means to critique the status quo, and where the Bible fits into all of this. Moore and Watkin talk about the authority of Scripture and the role of morality in the lives of both Christians and non-Christians. Their conversation touches on social media, gender and sexuality, and moral relativism. And they consider what it means to let the Bible interpret the Bible, looking to Augustine as a model for cultural and political thought, and how to begin investigating the stories we tell ourselves.

Resources discussed during this episode include:

Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin

A Secular Age by Charles Taylor

City of God by Augustine

Theology and Social Theory: Beyond Secular Reason by John Milbank

Gospel and Kingdom by Graeme Goldsworthy

God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughan Roberts

Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie

The Order of Things and The Birth of Biopolitics by Michel Foucault

Heidelberg Disputation by Martin Luther

Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to [email protected].

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“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper

Host: Russell Moore

Producer: Ashley Hales

Associate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae Phelps

CT Administration: Christine Kolb

Social Media: Kate Lucky

Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens

Production Assistance: coreMEDIA

Audio Engineer: Kevin Duthu

Coordinator: Beth Grabenkort

Video Producer: John Roland

Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton

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