Recently Matt Chandler got into a dust up over some comments that he made concerning the recent fad of “deconstruction.”
A Key Question
Contrary to a great host on the Twitter Mob, I think that his comments are on point, which is why folks got so up-in-arms about it all. We humans don’t particularly enjoy it when you call us out, and Chandler is nothing if not bold in that regard.
But the question should occur to us, “Why does deconstruction so often lead to a the destruction of our faith?” Or as Chandler said it,
“You and I are living in a day and age where deconstruction — and the turning away from, or leaving the faith — has become some sort of ‘sexy thing to do.’ I contend that if you ever experience the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ — actually — that that’s really impossible to deconstruct from. But if all you ever understand Christianity to be is a moral code, then I totally get it.”
If deconstruction is impossible for a true believer, then what’s up with so many who seem to be “deconstructing?” The short answer is that those who truly deconstruct (and I am not here talking about doubt or even struggling through church hurt) are actually abandoning the faith. They have given the appearance of belief while all along failing to prove that faith with fruit. They are like the unbelieving generation that followed Moses out of Egypt but showed their unbelief through complaint and disobedience in the wilderness. And so, God laid them low in judgment (Heb. 3:12-19). The deconstructionists are like the two middle soils in the Parable of the Sower who initially spring up, but then fail to bear fruit as evidence of real faith (Matt. 13:1-9; 18-23). They are like the Pharisees who seem to be seeking the truth from John but instead need to hear that God’s judgment is real and sure. Therefore, our seeking for truth must be followed, by God’s grace, with fruit in keeping with repentance (Luke 3:7-9). They are “clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted” (Jude 12).
To say it another way, to truly and thoroughly deconstruct one’s faith is to practically demonstrate that there never was any faith to begin with. This statement may seem harsh, but Scripture is filled with examples of people who seem to be a part of the family of God but truly are not. They go out from us because they are not truly of us (1 John 2:19). For this reason, the biblical writers issue very clear warnings when it comes to spurious faith, false confessions, and apostasy (e.g., Gal. 5:1-6; Heb. 4:1-2; 11; Heb. 6:1-8).
The Organism of Christian theology
So we return to our question, “Why does deconstruction so often lead to the destruction of faith?” I think that answers lies in the insight that J. I. Packer gave so many years ago. In an article for Themelios concerning the doctrine of the Incarnation he writes, “Christian theology, both in Scripture and in our own minds, is an organism, a unity of interrelated parts, a circle in which everything links up with everything else…”
If we begin to deconstruct our faith (again I am not talking about dealing with doubt or a thoroughgoing investigation into the truthfulness of the Bible’s teaching), we will find that to deconstruct one part will necessarily entail the fall of all the other parts as well. The Christian faith hangs as a whole. A person cannot deconstruct the portion that just doesn’t sit well with them and expect the other parts to stand up. To use Packer’s word, all the parts of an organism are integrally related to all the others parts. To affect one part is necessarily to impact another part. This is the case when you mess with an organism, and this is the case when you mess with the nature Christian theology.
To summarize, deconstruction of one’s faith commitments leads to the destruction of one’s faith precisely because Christian theology is one interconnected organism whose parts cannot stand without the others. They are all interdependent on one another. To remove the virgin birth, or the biblical teaching of sin, or the nature of Christ’s atonement, or the majesty of the Incarnation, or the biblical ethic of sexuality and gender is to throw a rock at a window. The whole window shatters because it is all of one unified piece.
Lest we be confused
I can imagine some might be thinking, “Wow, but what about…?” And I want to be careful to make sure you understand that there are very real hurts that are difficult to deal with and very real thelogical questions that are sometimes tough to answer. There might any number of reasons that we struggle in our faith, but I don’t think that deconstruction is what hurting, doubting, or questioning people are really after. Perhaps people are loosely using the word to speak about an experience with doubt, church hurt, theological inquiry, or a myriad of other realities that crop up as we live out the Christian life. I think that Chandler has a helpful clarification here. He says, “Deconstruction doesn’t mean doubt or theological wrestle or struggling through church hurt. I have the deepest empathy and compassion for those who find themselves wading in those waters. I certainly don’t want to make things harder for anyone in those seasons and struggles. I’ve journeyed through all three of those spaces in my 30 years of following after Jesus. If that’s where you are I think you’re going to get to the other side and see Jesus as more beautiful than you previously imagined…that’s the way I’m praying.”
Bringing It All Together
So let me say a few things to conclude this post. First, if you are struggling in your Christian walk, don’t assume that you are alone. Questions and doubts are real and common. Reach out to your church leaders or Christian friends as you walk through difficulties in your life. Lean in when you are tempted to pull away. Second, pray for those around you who may be experiencing difficulty that would lead them to doubt. Christ is the Author of our faith, so we can ask Him to strengthen it in ourselves and others. Third, if you are “deconstructing,” be very wary friend. When you break down one part of the faith, the rest will come tumbling down. Poke and prod the majesty of God’s truth all you want. It can take your questions and scrutiny. But if you reject it and deny God’s authority, you will find that nothing is left for you to hold onto. Heed the warnings of Scripture, for there are many who have shipwrecked their faith on the idols and false promises of the world (1 Tim. 1:18-19). In fact, maybe what you are looking for is a stronger faith by deconstructing your culture. Lastly, stay tuned for a couple of more posts related to this topic. I have a couple of ideas that might be helpful and interesting to you as you think through the fad of deconstruction and how it relates to faith, doubt, and how we walk well with the Lord.
Helpful Resources
Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church edited by Ivan Mesa
4 Causes of Deconstruction by Joshua Ryan Butler
Deconstruction Your Culture, Not Your Faith by Hunter Beaumont
Why I Changed My Mind About Deconstruction by Tim Barnett
