By Dr. Tim Orr

Through their writings and public engagements, Neil Shenvi and James Lindsay have become prominent voices critiquing the rise of critical theories and social justice ideologies. Their works, such as Shenvi's Critical Dilemma and Lindsay and Helen Pluckrose's Cynical Theories, focus on these movements' cultural, intellectual, and spiritual challenges. However, both have recently pointed to another cultural dilemma that parallels the ideologies they critique: the emergence of the "woke right." In this blog, I will summarize their ideas.

This “woke right” movement mirrors the leftist frameworks of identity politics and grievance politics but with a conservative veneer. Shenvi and Lindsay have observed how it co-opts the language of victimhood, moral superiority, and outrage—hallmarks of the progressive “woke” movement—but reorients them to advance its own agenda. Instead of rejecting the underlying principles of identity-based power struggles and grievance politics, the woke right often adopts these methods, applying them to conservative causes.

For Shenvi, this represents a spiritual issue for the church. He warns that aligning with any ideology prioritizing cultural power over gospel truth risks compromising our witness. Lindsay highlights how the woke right reflects the same authoritarian impulses seen in its progressive counterpart, perpetuating division rather than offering a genuine alternative.

Their critique serves as a timely reminder for Christians: the temptation to fight fire with fire—responding to progressive excesses with similar tactics—can distort biblical values. Both Shenvi and Lindsay urge us to remain vigilant, avoiding the seductive pull of ideologies that, whether left or right, elevate grievance and power over grace, truth, and the transformative call of Christ.

The woke right isn’t just a reaction—it’s an ideology that feeds on grievance, promotes exclusion, and distorts core biblical principles. It’s easy to feel justified when reacting to the left’s perceived moral and cultural failures. Still, I believe this movement reveals something deeper: our temptation as Christians to substitute cultural preservation for the kingdom of God. Unless we confront this distortion, we’ll find ourselves swept up in the currents of division and fear, abandoning the unity and love that Christ demands of His followers. The church is called to be a beacon of light, not a reflection of worldly polarization.

The Seduction of Victimhood

The woke right thrives on a narrative of victimhood, a story that says traditional values and ways of life are under attack from “global elites” and progressive ideologies. There’s some truth here—many Christians do feel marginalized, and there’s no denying that Western culture has shifted dramatically in ways that often feel hostile to faith. However, the problem lies in how this narrative weaponizes grievance, turning it into a tool for division and exclusion. Grievance can blind us to the redemptive possibilities in conflict, hardening our hearts instead of softening them toward reconciliation. When we become consumed by our sense of being wronged, we risk projecting that bitterness onto others and creating enemies where God calls us to see neighbors.

When we embrace the identity of the aggrieved victim, we give ourselves moral license to vilify others. Instead of engaging with the world in love and truth, we draw lines in the sand, creating “us versus them” dynamics that make enemies out of neighbors. Scripture warns us against this mindset. Jesus didn’t teach His followers to seek power or dominance in response to persecution. Instead, He said, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14). The gospel calls us to a radical love that refuses to reduce people to caricatures or enemies. If we lose sight of this, we risk becoming just as divisive and destructive as those we claim to oppose.

The danger of grievance politics is that it gives us a sense of moral superiority. It feels righteous to stand against the “other side,” but too often, this kind of righteousness leads to bitterness and pride. It turns cultural conflicts into existential battles where winning becomes more important than witnessing. In doing so, we lose sight of the gospel’s transformative power—a power that reconciles enemies and brings healing to broken relationships. When we prioritize winning cultural battles over showing the love of Christ, we betray the mission we’ve been entrusted with: to reconcile all people to God.

Rejecting Individual Dignity for the Sake of the Collective

One of the woke right's most troubling aspects is its collectivist thinking. Instead of seeing people as individuals created in the image of God, it reduces them to representatives of their cultural or ethnic groups. This thinking directly contradicts the gospel, which affirms the infinite worth of every person as an image-bearer of God (Genesis 1:27). Collectivism might provide a sense of unity within the group. Still, it always comes at the cost of dehumanizing those outside it. When we view people primarily through the lens of their group identity, we strip them of their individuality and the unique value God has placed within them.

Collectivism has historically been a tool of oppression, whether in Marxist regimes or nationalist movements. It prioritizes the survival of the group over the dignity of the individual, often justifying exclusion or even violence against those who don’t fit the dominant vision. The woke right falls into this same trap. It romanticizes traditional hierarchies and cultural homogeneity, looking back nostalgically to eras that were deeply exclusionary and often oppressive. Nostalgia for a glorified past often ignores the real injustices and suffering that occurred under those systems, further perpetuating a cycle of exclusion.

But this isn’t the biblical vision. Revelation 7:9 shows us a glimpse of God’s kingdom: a diverse, multiethnic body of believers united in worship. This isn’t a kingdom built on cultural conformity or hierarchical exclusion—it’s a kingdom that reflects the fullness of God’s creative power and His redemptive work in the world. When we reduce people to their group identities, we betray this vision and deny the dignity that God has given to every person. Any ideology that prioritizes cultural preservation over the gospel’s inclusive message must be rejected as incompatible with the heart of God.

Dangerous Philosophies at Work

The woke right doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It draws heavily from philosophical traditions that reject the principles of pluralism, reconciliation, and liberty. Thinkers like Carl Schmitt, Julius Evola, and Alexander Dugin provide the intellectual foundation for much of the woke right’s ideology, promoting ideas deeply at odds with the gospel. These philosophies often frame the world as a battleground where one side must dominate, leaving no room for dialogue or mutual understanding. This zero-sum mindset contradicts the gospel’s call to pursue peace and reconciliation wherever possible.

Schmitt’s “friend-enemy distinction” reduces politics to a zero-sum struggle, where compromise is seen as a weakness and opponents as existential threats. Evola glorified spiritual traditionalism and rigid hierarchies, while Dugin promoted civilizational identity politics, prioritizing cultural cohesion over individual rights. These ideas are seductive because they offer a sense of clarity and purpose in a chaotic world. But they also lead to authoritarianism, exclusion, and the dehumanization of those who are seen as “other.” When Christians adopt these ideas, they risk replacing the gospel’s transformative message with a distorted gospel of power and control.

As Christians, we must ask ourselves whether these philosophies align with the teachings of Jesus. The gospel doesn’t call us to dominate or exclude—it calls us to love, serve, and reconcile. It calls us to tear down walls, not build them. When we align ourselves with ideologies that dehumanize others or reject the dignity of every person, we betray the very foundation of our faith. Any philosophy that replaces the call to love our neighbor with a mandate to conquer our enemy is fundamentally at odds with the kingdom of God.

The Rejection of Pluralism

One of the central features of the woke right is its rejection of pluralism—the idea that diverse groups can coexist and contribute to a shared society. Instead, it seeks to restore traditional hierarchies and cultural dominance, often framing pluralism as threatening moral and social order. While it’s true that pluralism has its challenges, dismantling it in favor of exclusionary ideologies isn’t the answer. Rejecting pluralism often leads to isolation, deepening divisions and making it harder to share the gospel meaningfully.

Pluralism doesn’t mean abandoning our convictions. It means learning to live alongside people different from us, engaging them with love and respect rather than fear or hostility. For Christians, pluralism is an opportunity to witness the gospel in a diverse and broken world. Isaiah 1:17 reminds us to seek justice and defend the oppressed—values that are incompatible with the woke right’s rejection of pluralism. If we refuse to engage with those who differ, we miss opportunities to share the gospel and reflect Christ’s love.

The Spiritual Crisis of Authoritarianism

At its core, the woke right represents a spiritual crisis. It reveals our temptation to place cultural preservation above kingdom priorities, to seek power and control rather than faithfulness and humility. This authoritarian impulse is deeply dangerous—not just for society but for the church itself. Authoritarian systems thrive on fear and conformity, both of which are antithetical to the freedom and creativity God designed us to live out as His children.

When we align ourselves with authoritarian movements, we risk compromising our witness. The Bible emphasizes freedom in Christ (John 8:36) and calls us to reject the oppressive systems of the world (Romans 12:2). Authoritarianism, whether on the left or the right, suppresses the gospel’s transformative power. It replaces grace with control, love with fear, and humility with pride. The church must resist the temptation to pursue power at the expense of its prophetic voice, remembering that true strength is found in surrendering to Christ.

A Call to Faithfulness

So how do we respond? First, we must recommit ourselves to the gospel. Our mission isn’t to preserve a particular cultural order—it’s to proclaim the good news of Jesus, who reconciles all things to Himself (Colossians 1:20). In a polarized and divided world, we have the opportunity to model a better way—one that transcends the binaries of left and right and points people to the hope of Christ. This requires humility, courage, and a willingness to lay aside our preferences for the kingdom's sake.

Second, we must resist the temptation to fight fire with fire. The woke right’s tactics may seem effective, but they ultimately lead to division and bitterness. As followers of Christ, we’re called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), modeling the grace and mercy of our Savior. We cannot allow the urgency of cultural battles to overshadow the eternal significance of the gospel.

Finally, we must remember that our identity is in Christ, not political or cultural movements. When we anchor ourselves in the gospel, we’re freed from the need to defend earthly kingdoms. Instead, we can focus on building God’s kingdom—a kingdom that welcomes all people values every individual and reflects the glory of our Creator. Keeping our eyes on Christ ensures that our efforts align with His purposes and reflect His heart to a watching world.

The woke right reveals a deep spiritual crisis, but it also presents an opportunity for the church to stand as a prophetic witness. Let’s reject the authoritarian impulses of both the left and the right and commit to embodying the gospel in every area of life. In doing so, we can offer the world a vision of hope, unity, and redemption that reflects the heart of God. The church is at its most powerful not when it wields influence but when it faithfully reflects the love of Christ to a broken world.

References

Tim Orr is a scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, the University of Tehran, Islamic College London, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.

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