The Deconstruction of Christianity: what is it and how can Christians respond?

This month’s Bible study focused on the recent phenomenon of deconstruction. Over the last few years, big names in Christian community announced that they have deconstructed their faith and essentially walked away from God and the church. Hearing their stories, I felt empty, then angry and dismissive. Sadly, there are many false teachings, abuses and hurts done within the church that have led people to doubt God and His word. I also realized that I did not know what deconstruction even was and there are multiple definitions. Two well known Christians in apologetics wrote a book on this very subject and I decided it was the perfect time to study this topic. I read the book as well as went through the study guide for Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett’s The Deconstruction of Christianity. The in-depth and detailed investigation into what deconstruction means. How are doubts and questions dealt with within deconstruction and in the faith? What is biblical faith?  

What is deconstruction? There have been many definitions being used by those who claim to be deconstructing as the individual is the authority. One definition is simply the process of dismantling an individual’s accepted beliefs. It is questioning the Bible when it doesn’t align with the culture and the Bible is seen as a tool of oppression to be rejected. Today’s culture likes to redefine words, making clarity unclear and communication confusing. Many deconstructionists have “the same vocabulary but they are using a different dictionary” (page 21). Childers and Barnett define deconstruction as “a post-modern process of rethinking faith without regarding Scripture as a standard” (page 26). Essentially deconstruction is about a question of authority. The Bible tells us to evaluate our faith, our beliefs with discernment (Hebrews 5:14) to seek understanding (Proverbs 2:2-5), to abound in knowledge (Philippians 11:9-10) and holding onto what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:2). However, deconstruction is at odds with Christianity because it has little to do with achieving a correct theology. It is about tearing down doctrine that is morally wrong to an individual, to match one’s own internal conscience, moral compass with a never ending cycle of skepticism. Deconstruction also seems to focus on the evangelical label as they lump it together with white supremacy, Christian nationalism and Western civilization. Therefore, they seek to “decolonize” one’s theology and try to delegitimize the authority of the Bible. To many deconstructionists, Biblical interpretation needs to be subjective or it is to be rejected. 

The origin of deconstruction begins in the Garden of Eden and Satan as he postulates to Eve the question: Did God really say…? As well as to deny God’s word and twist the meaning of His word. Doubt enters into our human minds all the time, especially in terms of our faith and God himself. Childers and Barnett quote a pastor who says “Doubt drives you in one of two directions. It either pushes away from God or it pushes you to run toward God (page 84). God welcomes our questions. He doesn’t rebuke us for our doubts, he wants us to come to him with every question, doubt and insecurities. The most famous doubter that comes to mind is John the Baptist. In Matthew 11, John is in prison and he hears the stories of what Jesus is doing, so he sends his disciples to ask “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (verse 3). Jesus gave his answer to John and told him to look for the objective evidence (verses 4-6). The main picture here is Jesus can handle our doubts. He didn’t belittle John for his question or say how dare he doubt me! He even complimented John for his question (verse 11). Doubts can lead to a reformation, a moving back. If someone comes to you with a question, it is acceptable to say “I don’t know.” However, it is important to follow through with “but let’s find the answer together,” by using Scripture as a guide.

Deconstructionists also like to state that faith is irrational, self-oriented and not truth based. However, that is not the case. Biblically, faith is built on reason as it is a response to evidence, not a lack of it. A “saving faith is active trust based on the evidence” (page 173) as seen in “signs, wonders, and various miracles” (Hebrews 2:4). Faith is belief in a future occurrence based on the evidence of the past. However, having faith doesn’t mean doubts disappear. In Matthew 8:26, Jesus rebukes the disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Here were men who saw amazing miracles and yet were afraid in a storm. It is proof that faith is in flux. It can easily go from confident to shaky and back again. I have been a Christian for almost thirty years and my faith isn’t always confident. There are times when I doubt, when I am afraid and uncertain what the future holds. I keep to the faith that God will keep His promises despite my doubts. What is the faith? The faith, a genuine Christian faith, is objective reality. It is true regardless how we believe or feel about it (page 162). The example Childers and Barnett uses is that someone can deny gravity but will still fall to the ground when he jumps. Gravity is true regardless of the individual’s beliefs. The genuine Christian faith is based in the truth of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. 

In conclusion, The Deconstruction of Christianity goes into much more depth and topics within the deconstruction movement that I can write about here. Deconstructionism is nothing new. It is a reaction to and motivated by sin. And our questions and doubts do not mean a lack of faith. God welcomes it all. Doubts and questions are not a lack of faith and sometimes necessary on the path to spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity involves understanding the difference between biblical truths and extra biblical religiosity and we do so by asking questions. After finishing this study, I am reminded that behind every deconstruction is a very real person. A person with complex wounds, desires, triggers, hurts and experiences. Each one is seen and loved by God and we need to be loving, kind and compassionate when and if they come to us with questions. And to remember that we do not change their minds. Only God can open minds and heal broken hearts.