I am trying to write a book on critical theory

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RamistThomist

Puritanboard Clerk
If the Lord wills, I plan to write a book on critical theory. My pastor was reading some critiques of it from various forms and he floated these ideas by me in the form of doing a study later this year. I then thought, "I read Hegel for ten years. I have a lot of notes on this topic." If this ever gets off the ground, I want to give a small book (fewer than 100 pages) to the layman in the pew on what categories "wokists" and "critical theorists" are using and how best to respond to them. For example, while most are socialists, calling them all "cultural Marxists" really doesn't advance the discussion.

We'll see what happens over the summer.
 
If the Lord wills, I plan to write a book on critical theory. My pastor was reading some critiques of it from various forms and he floated these ideas by me in the form of doing a study later this year. I then thought, "I read Hegel for ten years. I have a lot of notes on this topic." If this ever gets off the ground, I want to give a small book (fewer than 100 pages) to the layman in the pew on what categories "wokists" and "critical theorists" are using and how best to respond to them. For example, while most are socialists, calling them all "cultural Marxists" really doesn't advance the discussion.

We'll see what happens over the summer.
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Getting your own book printed and then available for sale on a place like Amazon is much less expensive than it used to be, since changes in printing technology now make small press runs feasible. There are several personal publishers who will typeset your book from a file you provide, design a cover, and get the book listed for sale for fees that start at around $1000. But if you want attentive typesetting, a truly attractive cover, any real editing, and any further marketing, the costs will start to pile up. Or if you're good at any of these things, you can do some of them yourself. All kinds of arrangements are possible.

If you want people beyond your friends and family to read your book, you need to think about how you will bring it to a wider audience's attention and make it appealing to them. Again, the Internet has made that easier than it used to be, but it's still hard. Or if you are a really good writer with something great to say, it's possible you could submit your book to a traditional Christian publisher and they might take it on. That's a tough sell if your name is unknown, but it does happen sometimes (it happened to me), and in that case the publisher will have channels to get attention for your book.

If you decide to do this on your own, solicit plenty of feedback from friends who will tell you, without flinching, what they think of your writing and how you can make your book better. Do this both at the start of your writing (when you first have a sample chapter and outline) and at the end—and listen to the feedback! Honest feedback is your best friend.
 
Getting your own book printed and then available for sale on a place like Amazon is much less expensive than it used to be, since changes in printing technology now make small press runs feasible. There are several personal publishers who will typeset your book from a file you provide, design a cover, and get the book listed for sale for fees that start at around $1000. But if you want attentive typesetting, a truly attractive cover, any real editing, and any further marketing, the costs will start to pile up. Or if you're good at any of these things, you can do some of them yourself. All kinds of arrangements are possible.

If you want people beyond your friends and family to read your book, you need to think about how you will bring it to a wider audience's attention and make it appealing to them. Again, the Internet has made that easier than it used to be, but it's still hard. Or if you are a really good writer with something great to say, it's possible you could submit your book to a traditional Christian publisher and they might take it on. That's a tough sell if your name is unknown, but it does happen sometimes (it happened to me), and in that case the publisher will have channels to get attention for your book.

If you decide to do this on your own, solicit plenty of feedback from friends who will tell you, without flinching, what they think of your writing and how you can make your book better. Do this both at the start of your writing (when you first have a sample chapter and outline) and at the end—and listen to the feedback! Honest feedback is your best friend.
I’ve heard of multiple people like Tim Ferriss and Thomas Woods finding competent editing and logo/cover design on fiverr.
 
I can see where that could be very profitable. James Lindsay is also arguing for considering the woke as a sort of Hegelian religion.

My suggestion is that you need at least two personal readers: one without a lot of background to see if it gets through; and one with a strong background in literature to verify that things are accurately and elegantly said.
 
I then thought, "I read Hegel for ten years. I have a lot of notes on this topic."
I was listening to Al Mohler's briefing this morning and he mentioned much 'leftist' thinking has been much influenced by Helegian thought.
 
I was listening to Al Mohler's briefing this morning and he mentioned much 'leftist' thinking has been much influenced by Helegian thought.

That's a half truth. After Hegel died there were two schools of his thought: Left (Young) Hegelians and Right Hegelians. Hegel himself was a conservative monarchist. Marx openly attacked Hegel's politics.
 
I read that part of the Mohler transcript. True, Hegel believed that Geist manifested itself in the national spirit. And he did believe that it progressed, but he didn't mean by progress what today's leftists mean. His view of progression is how man can see himself as free within a state (which by state he meant not what we mean, but a nexus of cultural institutions). In other words, freedom is the essence of consciousness.

Those who claim Hegel today, such as the descendants of Marcuse, add Freud to the mix. They keep Marx but drop the economic determinism nonsense. So it isn't pure Hegel.
 
Also helpful, though not strictly necessary: a constant flow of high-quality coffee and a skull to sit on your desk.

To ensure the project reaches completion. :D
 
That's a half truth. After Hegel died there were two schools of his thought: Left (Young) Hegelians and Right Hegelians. Hegel himself was a conservative monarchist. Marx openly attacked Hegel's politics.

I read that part of the Mohler transcript. True, Hegel believed that Geist manifested itself in the national spirit. And he did believe that it progressed, but he didn't mean by progress what today's leftists mean. His view of progression is how man can see himself as free within a state (which by state he meant not what we mean, but a nexus of cultural institutions). In other words, freedom is the essence of consciousness.

Those who claim Hegel today, such as the descendants of Marcuse, add Freud to the mix. They keep Marx but drop the economic determinism nonsense. So it isn't pure Hegel.
I listened to his briefing when I was in a hurry so I may have over generalised his statement. As you note his transcript states what he actually said.
 
I am all for book writing, but out of curiosity, in what ways would your book differ in subject, scope, or intended audience to that of Voddie Baucham's newly released book "Fault Lines"?
 
There do seem to be many books on the subject. As with Jon, I'd want to know how your treatment would differ so as to set it apart from the others.
 
I am all for book writing, but out of curiosity, in what ways would your book differ in subject, scope, or intended audience to that of Voddie Baucham's newly released book "Fault Lines"?

Voddie's is more of a treatment of current streams in Wokism. Mine would be more evaluating the roots of the theory. Voddie's is also focused more on how current Wokism affects modern evangelicalism. Mine won't cover that angle.
 
Yes. I've listened to one or two of the podcasts
What did you think? I have not yet had a chance to solicit input on this site from people of Reformed convictions, mostly because I've not run across anybody familiar with her until this thread.
 
I bought Sebastian Gorka's book on the premise it dealt with Social Marxism, one chapter mentioned it but only anecdotally. One of the first things I look for is references. I have searched in vain for references and only come up with assertions (mostly). I did write up a leaflet some years ago (attached)
 

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That's a good endeavor. Many Christians are clueless about the dangers of woke theology (Social Justice, CRT). I left a network of churches that state they hold to the Doctrines of Grace, claim to be against CRT and Social Justice, yet have hitched their wagons to ministries and organizations in the SBC that are aggressively promoting and endorsing CRT and Social Justice and share pulpits with men who promote or at best tolerate CRT and Social Justice. The majority of the members really have no idea how dangerous these ideologies are. And those who do and speak out are shut down and labeled troublemakers. We need more books and resources for the layman.
 
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