Should Christians decolonize their theology? With Neil Shenvi

Our current cultural moment has given us some phrases, or "slogans" and Neil Shenvi refers to them, one of which is the idea that our theology and biblical interpretations need to be decolonized. We discuss what "decolonize our theology" means and whether or not Christians should do it.

This video is not sponsored. Product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.

For all links to Alisa’s recommended reading, podcast studio gear and other items,

[daverogg]

The whole world has lost it's mind!

[dr.danieldeepak]

This is a very crucial topic. Thanks for touching on this one. I have been studying theology mostly in Indian contexts. What I am astonished about is even in the theological circles in India, we talk about colonialism as if it has been the only evil ever perpetrated. We have post colonial studies even when European colonialism in its proper sense is dead and gone. We have far greater evils that need to be addressed, like Brahminism and casteism. These have been there since aeons and they are growing strong with the radical elements gripping the nation. The Indian church has been timid to speak against the evils that are immediate to her context. It is deemed great to undergo a post-colonial study (someone said to me that it was new/hot topic to study) because it scape-goats evil on those who are still looked at as the enemies of the country (even if Indians may just be desperate to go Westward!). Anti-colonial rhetoric is very popular even among the Hindus and other Indians. When I tried to talk some months back to a post colonial student, he said, to my utter surprise "Brahaminism is a form of colonialism!!!" Western pursuit of post-colonial studies, even if on a wrong track, springs from the fact that Christian faith teaches us to be self-critical. This is not so much with the Hinduism(and other faiths) which glories in its Past. I am extremely frustrated with Indian theological academia being hijacked by critical race theory, feminism, black liberation theologies (I have still not been able to understand why this is taught in India to the extent that it is) and post colonial studies. It is perpetrated by the institution established by William Carey. Evangelical scholarship is not even regarded as worth considering. I can hardly point out to a theological institution of repute which is biblical in its approach. Owing to this many students lose faith which they are in the seminary. As a pastor, I would never send someone to such institutions for theological studies. Rather I would send them to Bible schools/trainings run by mission agencies. As Alisha tells in her book about her pastor, the pastors graduated from there have a double mouth: they believe one thing and they preach quite another.

[FernandoRamosjito]

We need another video on this subject . It was too short and needs feedback .

[davidparke]

The idea that “it doesn’t matter who propounds it” is going to be something that they don’t like either.

Didn’t Jesus say “Search the Scriptures” because he believed that the Old Testament referred to Him multiple times?

[Jimbob-hjqp]

I posted something on FB warning against Progressive Theology. A friend posted that she believed we need to, "decolonize the scripture". What???

[anthonybarber]

We need to ask people: What do you mean by that?😀

[Mel-soou]

Thank you for speaking on this crucial topic!

[RuslanKD]

I appreciate you’re heart but I REALLY wish you’d have christians on your channel that you disagree with from time to time. In an attempt to deconstruct this or your CRT video, it ends completely missing the point of the average person who wants to de colonize their faith from “moral majority right” politics and theology (ie, MAGA CHRISTIANS) to this nonsense which is pushed by the most extreme folks. We keep allowing the most extreme voices be the loudest. I have plenty of close black friends looking to decolonize their faith without throwing out inerrancy of scripture or “niceness” 😭😭😭

These types of clips skip any possible nuance and reinforces the notion that their life and faith is under attack. It isn’t. One can be a born again christian and have a variety of views regarding politics and social issues.

[wolves]

I find the whole notion of ‘whiteness’, being used as a derogatory and critical term, offensive and, frankly, racist. And that is just what the whole silly ‘decolonising’ thing is. There must be focus groups of bitter POCs and self hating white people thrashing around ideas and making up words to destroy all notions of white identity. It would not happen in any other culture and is clearly a divisive and subtle form of ethnic cleansing.

I don’t see or hear this rubbish being touted around for the times when the Near East was the dominant geographical region of world and political history. Or are the Hittites, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Hebrews, Babylonians etc now classed as white? Paul was a Roman citizen: guilty of whiteness as well!?

It is a simple historical fact that with the coming of the Greek and Roman Empires, world power and politics shifted to be more Western dominated. For reasons known to God, He used the Roman Empire and Western countries to preserve and spread the gospel. Was it perfect? Not at all. Did politics abuse the gospel for power? Most certainly. But within the West there were movements and individuals who through the years stood up against corruption and abuse and paid the price in blood. To denigrate the white man is therefore to denigrate Gods sovereign plan.

I recall a black African delivering a preach to the church I was attending more than 30 years ago, . Back then, a black African from Africa preaching to a white audience was rare. He began by saying ‘I thank God for the British Empire because God used the white man to bring the gospel to the black man. But there is coming a time when the black man will bring the gospel back to the white man, because the white man has forsaken it’. That was a very prophetic word.

But there are movements afoot to divide and segregate and turn black against white and vice versa. The anti whiteness movement should therefore be seen for what it is, an anti-Christian movement inspired by evil spirits and embraced by bitter people intent on shaming and destroying anyone who is white. And it is now being embraced by the church.

[tacticalfilmfightingacadem]

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the POWER of GOD that brings Salvation to EVERYONE who believes first to the Jew then to the Gentile. All are sinners, Wages for our sins....Death= Separated from GOD. 1 Cor 15:1-4 Death, Burial, simple. The Gospel is Good News because there is Bad Being Born Again ALL will Perish. Repent! and Believe in the Gospel. Paul stated "I preach Jesus Christ and Him Crucified."

[talldarkhansome]

We often get caught up in words rather than meaning intended. We also often see actions as intentions rather than reactions to underlying causes. Progressives may or may not be looking for a more genuine expression of spirituality. Find common ground in humility and speak the truth in love.

Galatians 5:23 
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law

[bec_a]

I would ‘like’ this 10 times if I could!

[jessicablake]

I couldnt stop laughing when Alisa said "niceness. Niceness?" haha

[littlemamatwo]

Thank you! I always enjoy your videos. However, I always love your mugs too! So unique!

[NicholasproclaimerofMessiah]

I'm rather intelligent when it comes to complex and deep ideas, but these Critical-Theory ideas that don't make any sense require alot of effort to follow. Truth is easy, comes naturally, but this nonsense is like a puzzle that needs to be solved. Kinda exhausts my brain to step into those shoes for a minute.

[qwaxerty]

How to decolonize the Bible:
1. To start, Jesus wasn't a White man, with blue eyes: this is just impossible for a Jew at that time, even if He was conceived miraculously. This means that whatever kid or person who claimed to have seen Jesus, and draw a Jesus with blue eyes, maybe saw a demon. I am not trying to be mean or insensitive, but Joseph Smith claimed to have seen Jesus and we have Mormonism.
2. The celebration of Christmas, which is one of the most protected Western Christian traditions, is not biblical and has pagan roots. So for Western Christians to talk about the war on Christmas, will be probably considered as heresy to most apostles in the Bible.

The list goes on and I could provide more examples.

What I wish from this video (when the full content is provided) is to watch/listen to a discussion about which commonly accepted modern day Christian practices in America (or even in the world) are not Biblical, but more rooted in the Western culture. Bashing Progressive Christianity is easy and comfortable to do ( i am a regular church attendant and I can do that). However, if we claim that we have a better idea of what the truth is compared to Progressive Christians, I feel we are lying to ourselves a littlr because the Christianity we are following is heavily influenced by Western traditions. Therefore, a more fruitful conversation, especially for ourselves, is to learn which tradition we may accept that is not Christian.

[danielkosak]

The fault lies not with progressive christianity; evangelicals themselves are to blame. They allowed sin to enter through the doors. They could have stopped it from the beginning, but chose not to. Preferring the pleasures of this world, rather then the holiness of God.

[racquel]

Isn’t Neil shinvi supporting another gospel by defending his southern baptists pastors who have controversial views on CRT?

In the wake of the Christian-19 virus going around I want to remind people to wear earplugs to keep this airborne pathogen out of your mind, it is very toxic. Please reach out to a doctor if you feel sick. #GetHelp

[neverforsakenbyhim]

The church has gone from ludicrous crazy to plaid!!!!