Deconstruction

Readings

In short, deconstruction is a popular term that refers to the practice of revisiting and rethinking long held beliefs, specifically in the Christian faith. Richard Rohr is perhaps the most well-known Christian leader to popularize the term. Rohr often describes healthy faith development as one that undergoes three stages.

Construction – building your belief system and worldviewDeconstruction – challenging that worldview and subsequent beliefsReconstruction – rebuilding a new, more holistic set of beliefs and worldview

ARticle writer

I believe deconstruction is from God.

I believe deconstruction is the revival evangelicals have been praying for for centuries.

Deconstruction is God’s way of returning our hearts to the main point: Love.

Love of God, love toward ourselves and love for each other. Even love for our enemies.

People are not deconstructing because they want to hear “theology that tickles their ears.” They are deconstructing because most churches have forgotten the core principle of Jesus’ ministry. They have forgotten “their first love” (Rev 2:4).

This is where deconstruction comes in.

Deconstruction will sweep Western Christianity into massive reform. It will remind us that our money and resources were meant to help alleviate the rampant poverty around us, not for buildings and programs.

I am somewhat ashamed to confess that progressive Christianity is a phenomenon actioned by generation. Birthed from good church abiding youths who grew into adults fed-up with the hypocrisy of the evangelical church.

Source 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXniowEdmUQ

There is a good type of deconstruction (Jesus with the Pharisees)

This is using scripture to deconstruct the ideals of the world

Things can be corrupted by tradition and culture

Deconstructing is not the end goal…you have to eventually start building something.

Dessert of modern skepticism

Expternal deconstruction

Cheap grace and low discipleship

Broken trust from spiritual leaders

Ascendent secular ideologies

Internal deconstruction

Lack of fear of God

Wounded heart

Digital inputs and low Scripture

Demonic influence intersects with our woundings

Five beliefs That I’ve Tossed during Deconstrucion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaZCMxsJ1jQ

Prosperity Gospel

The Age of the Earth - Believes in evolution by natural selection

6 literal days seems comical

When he starts with the interpretation of the text and then examine the world, he doesn’t come through good conclusions

The Bible wasn’t meant to be a scientific book

Don’t take Genesis literally

Interpretations of Scripture

Used to believe that it was innerant

But now sees textual and historical errors in the Bible

Thinks the stories of Noah and Adam and Eve as being allegorical

Tongues is for everyone

God

Everything in the Bible is written from a sexist bent

God is not a Him

These were just earthly examples

God does not have a gender

God is being in itself and is way more than what the Bible gives us

Why I’m no longer a Christian - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17btpZ1GnuA

The question of evil

How can God let these things happen

There is never a reason good enough for God to allow children to be molested

There was never a good explanation for me

The Word of God can’t be 100% accurate

There are good things in the Bible, but it can’t rule someone’s life

similies or phrases that have been lost in time

It seems like God changes his morality...his view of right and wrong

In the OT God was ok with genocide and slavery

Why are there so many denominations

there are over 20,000 denominations

All these people claim to have the truth and right perspecitve…so we can never really know

Nobody has the whole vision of God

My Deconversion Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p-PdYjpGj8

There was a blowup with another family at the church

The church wasn’t a big happy family

Brother was diagnosed with cancer

Wasn’t mad at God, but made him wonder if bad things just happend randomly.

Good and bad things happen to good and bad people

Mother got involved with healing ministry stuff and chased anything that would give her hope

After his brother died he really began to question what he believed. He wasn’t really mad at God

Learned about how the canon was chosen and the dishonest authors in the Bible.

What does faith even mean....it’s believing in something that we don’t have all the evidence for.

Is faith really a reliable path to truth?

There was no good reason for what he believes

He didn’t want to have to belief things on faith anymore…he wanted to be informed, and to understand what it was he personally believed

That’s when he realized he was an atheist

It was refreshing to know that He didn’t have to have an answer or explanation for everything....we are still finding things out.

We don’t have to assume or claim to know something that can’t be proven…its ok to say “I don’t know”

Becoming atheist mad him better and he want to continue to make the world around him better

Comment - It’s funny how they say being a Christian “sets you free” but I’ve never felt more free than letting go of all those beliefs.

Religion is based on fear and guilt

Personal Thougts

I think people deconstruct and deconvert from different things

For some they deconstruct from the fundametal ideas of Christianity and Biblical claims

The Bible is innerant

God made the universe

The idea of a God who is “all loving” but would send people to an eternity in Hell

For some they deconstruct from the Western Evangelical version of Christianity (This is a Newer Phenomenon)

Focused on buildings and programs, rather than helping the poor and those in need

We talk about the importance of lovin others, yet the church is full of hypocrasy

For some they deconstruct from the church based on their experiences

Growing up in very strict, legalistic churches causes them have a disgust for the Church

Having been abused by spiritual leaders

Being told one thing, but always feeling another way