The novelist Rudyard Kipling wrote, “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Sometimes a word travels through the zeitgeist, drawing the ire of some and delight of affirmation from others.

Critical Race Theory, or CRT, is one of those words. When spoken by Conservative White media and politicians, CRT has been used channel for scaring parents into believing their children will feel guilt for the truth about our past and present. But what are the theological implications for Critical Race Theory?

“CRT has given me the language to describe my own racialized experiences and those of many people I know. Over the years, I have come to one basic conclusion: CRT is helpful,” said Dr. Robert Chao Romero on the CBF Podcast Conversation.

“Properly understood, the juxtaposition of the doctrine of original sin and the assertion that racism is ordinary, neither statement contradicts the preciousness and dignity of individual persons. Denial of either, on the other hand, works at the expense of those who suffer the effects of sin and racism,” noted Dr. Jeff M. Liou.

Romero and Liou are coauthors of “Christianity and Critical Race Theory.” Romero is an associate professor in UCLA’s Department of Chicana, Central American, and Asian American Studies, as well as the director of the Brown Church Initiative. Liou is the national director of theological formation for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and an adjunct professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary.

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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina. He’s also served as CBF’s Church Start Specialist, the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton, and the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Follow on Twitter @haleandy.