Critical Theory is the younger cousin to Historical Criticism, also known as the Historical-Critical Method (HCM) of Biblical hermeneutics. We all know the carnage of the HCM upon our synod and upon Christianity as a whole. But the modern incarnation of such biblical criticism is the currently popular Critical Theory as applied to sexuality and gender. Outside of our own circles, this heresy is raging like a forest fire, consuming once-orthodox churches and leaving them nothing more than a smoldering dumpster fire, followed by ashes that blow away in the wind.

And when Critical Theory, in all its works and in all its ways, sparks in the Missouri Synod, our district and synod leaders would do well to ruthlessly and aggressively stamp it out and extinguish it before it ignites and flames out of control. This is the kind of Ablaze program from the Prophet Malachi.

I belong to a Facebook group called “I’m fed up with bad church music.” It is mostly made up of church musicians. A lady named Shari posted:

Query. My denomination refers to God as Father/Mother/Creator. It’s important for us to acknowledge female divinity as much as male divinity. Most music still uses masculine nouns only when referring to God. So I change the pronouns, usually to something neuter like God or Creator, or I balance God as He in one spot with She in another. I’m looking at Bernstein’s “simple Song” which uses all male pronouns. I sometimes wonder about changing words and composers intent, but to leave all masculine pronouns is not an option. So I’m curious to hear people’s thoughts - is it better to perform a work with altered pronouns or don’t perform it at all.

The responses addressed two different issues: 1) the Theology of God’s Gender, and 2) the license to alter the artistic work of another person. Here is a smattering of some of the discussion that I found particularly illustrative.

I replied, “God told us His preferred pronouns.” A lady replied, “They were ‘I/Me/My.’ I replied:

“Our Father who art in heaven…” says Jesus, teaching us how to pray.

Our Lord uses “He” to describe God the Father (I know, that’s so weird, isn’t it?). And the Scriptures always refer to Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man - in the masculine.

This is the one time our friends on the left impose alien pronouns on someone - and that someone is their Creator, the Logos, who reveals Himself by means of gendered language."

Kevin replied to me: “In the Bible composed of books written by first century men? I think not.” I replied,

This is the heart of the conflict. Are the Scriptures fallible human writings, or are they the infallible Word of God?

If the Scriptures are merely dusty old books written by racist, sexist, fallible men lacking the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, why believe any of them?

If the Scriptures are the oracles of the living God, why disbelieve any of them?

Everything we Christians confess comes from the Bible. Either we believe it or we don’t.

One commenter named Joseph wrote:

Change the pronouns as you fit! [sic] Remember that the Bible was written by men and for men, and so has an intrinsic male fingerprint! Acknowledging that an [sic] adjusting that is by no means heretical, as others have said

“But you are debasing the poetry!!!” Many have cried. Many of these hymns are presented in bastardized translations as it is, so don’t worry about it.

I applaud you and your church fighting masculine normality! [emphasis in original]

Sharon wrote: “I tend to change them to gender neutral.”

Gina wrote:

Food for thought. Has anyone thought about how harmful referring to god [sic] as a father figure is to people who have been harmed by the father in their life? Abused raped molested and abandoned by the father or stepfather?

One exchange featured this comment by John: “If G-d [sic] ‘self-identifies’ as male, perhaps you shouldn’t try to correct Him?” Mark responded: “Also god [sic] isn’t ‘self-identifying.’ Do you have a recording somewhere if [sic] God saying, ‘my pronouns are he/his/him?” followed by four laugh emojis. Adam replied in turn: “Between Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21.”

This exchange continued with John positing: “If the Bible is His word, every time the word Father is used, He is self-identifying. Madison replied, “The only pronoun God provides in that entire citation is “I,” but please continue proving you haven’t read it.” She added: “Also, get this, God didn’t write the Bible. How can you take yourself seriously spouting such nonsense?” Mark piled on: “Exactly. He didn’t ‘self identify.’”

Laurie weighed in:

I would suggest just using ‘God’ or ‘God’s.’ That’s what shows up in my church’s (Episcopalian) prayers, and only one syllable like the alternative pronouns. The hymnal is from years ago, so another story. But if the verses are printed in your bulletin, the substitution could easily be made.

John replied to Laurie: By that line of reasoning, couldn’t you feel free to make any changes you wish, based on flimsy contemporary norms?

Lea offered: “I would just replace the “him” pronouns with “them,” if you feel it helps you.”

Kevin averred: “God does not have a gender. It’s just not possible to me. The writers of the text were misogynistic. Period…”

Mark replied to Kevin: “They were of their time. Just as we are of our time and have a healthier understanding of Gender. It’s too bad people can’t get their heads out of sand and use neutral pronouns if, indeed, God doesn’t have a gender.”

Bradly opined: “Just don’t sing it. I don’t believe God has a penis or uses the men’s restroom but leave a poet’s work alone.” I replied, “Au contraire. He was circumcised.”

John wrote:

There is exactly zero obligation on your part to continue the willfully awful scriptural ‘interpretations’ that promulgate the totally false idea that God is male. God is spirit, and each of our spirits - male, female, or otherwise - is the image of God in us. If you are in a worship context, you are not there to be true to some human misinterpretation or intent. You are there to offer worship to God, not some lyricist, no matter how famous and sacrosanct. If it bothers you to change or correct things to agree with scripture, you ought not be using those things in worship.

Sue wrote: “Exalted feminist that I am, I would keep this piece as is. Or don’t use.

Kevin commented: “We just refer to that entity as God, period, no other pronouns. Jesus is of course referred to as he/him because he was in fact a human man…” I replied, “Still is! And He taught us to pray: “Our Father.” His mother is Mary.”

Of course, this is just a smattering of the 266 comments offered before one of the heavy-handed moderators shut the discussion down.

From this discussion we can draw several conclusions:

• There is a direct pipeline between modern Critical Theory and Historical Criticism, in other words, modern secular critical sociological interpretations and Biblical criticism feed off of one another.

• The Church catholic is plagued with Gnostic theology and anthropology.

• Feminist theology in the Church is as mainstream as Critical theory is in the popular culture.

• Heretical views of the Trinity and of the two natures of Christ and of His incarnation abound.

• Worship is indeed a springboard to both biblical orthodoxy and critical heresy. Language is crucial. Linguistic manipulation leads to a mangled theology, and vice versa.

• The LCMS is one of the few holdouts of biblical and dogmatic orthodoxy in Christendom, and we must be vigilant if that is to continue.

• It matters where LCMS Lutherans send their children to study.

• Pastors as well as church musicians and other lay members are bombarded by heretical ideas on social media, movies, television, and in conversations with people claiming to be Christians who have long-since abandoned the Nicene Creed.

Again, these weeds must be pulled out by the roots before they are found growing and maturing alongside true doctrine in our synod. Critical Theory in all of its forms, and its forebear Historical Criticism of Scripture, cannot be permitted in our seminaries, universities, or congregations. Those who believe, teach, and confess them must be called to repentance, and removed from synod if they refuse.

Don’t wait until it is too late.