Desert Springs Community Church

What is Deconstruction?

The current appeal of deconstruction

Defining deconstruction is difficult

Dismantling our excessive loyalty to any idea and learning to see the aspects of the truth that might lie buried in its opposite.
Jacques Derrida

Faith deconstruction is a postmodern process of rethinking your faith without regarding scripture as a standard.
Alisa Childers, & Tim Barnett - The Deconstruction of Christianity

Deconstruction is not new

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"
Genesis 3:1

The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!
Genesis 3:4

For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Genesis 3:5

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:6

The Path of Deconstruction

Introduction to the Christian life – born into community

Paradigm formation – exposed to both true and false ideas about Christianity

Insulation and comfort – we create the mental image/belief of Christianity that we are comfortable embracing

Crisis and divergence – something happens in life that reveals the cracks in our mental image/beliefs

Paradigm Shift – altering our beliefs to deal with the cracks

Adjust our paradigm by finding new communities that bring comfort to our soul

Reject and abandon the whole belief system – deconstruction

Recommit to becoming a growing disciple of Jesus

Dealing with Doubts and Questions

Christianity is a battle for the mind – 2 Corinthians 10:5

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
2 Corinthians 10:5

Biblical faith is based on evidence and reason

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

“Biblically, faith is a power or skill to act in accordance with the nature of the kingdom of God, a trust in what we have reason to believe is true. Understood in this way, we see that faith is built on reason.”
JP Moreland - Love the Lord with All Your Mind

Deal with Doubts like John the Baptist – Matthew 11:2-6

Articulate the questions, don’t suppress them

Share your questions in your community

Understand the scope and implications of your question

Seek answers to your questions from Jesus

Jesus’ answers will most often be found in His Word – be a student of the Bible

Loving Others Who Have or Are Deconstructing

Remember, you are not responsible for someone else’s deconstruction

Pray for them earnestly

As much as you are able, stay engaged in their life

Live the love and fruit of Jesus as best you can