Over the last couple of years, “Deconstruction” became a popular buzzword in the carnal christian lexicon, something I have challenged in multiple articles, such as:
- Why Christian Deconstruction is so Popular
- The 3-Step Deconstruction Process for Christians
- Conversations with Atheists and Deconstructionists
However, those who once promoted Christian deconstruction are now turning to other words in order to repaint a more positive picture of the process. A great corollary to this shift is exemplified in how progressives have run from the terms they originally coined, such as “Woke” and “Defund the Police”, given the consequences of these policies and the resulting backlash. The term “deconstruction” is following a similar path in the Christian community and, therefore, beginning to be replaced by words such as “rearranging” or “recommitment” regarding one’s theological underpinnings.
Deconstruction
To that point, it had been the stated objective by its adherents that “deconstruction” of a traditional Biblical Christian worldview would involve a deep review of one’s foundational beliefs, with a subsequent rebuilding of their faith. Instead, deconstructionists have landed in the fringes of christianity, where anything goes and inclusiveness of a broad range of twisted theology has become part of the movement.
In the words of one respected and prolific writer, “To say, “Deconstruction means choosing easier beliefs” is an oversimplification. And yet deconstruction almost always means adopting views palatable to the unbelieving world. All too conveniently, it means moving away from positions on sexuality, gender, salvation, sin, hell, and other issues not embraced by popular culture.”
This attachment to these aberrant viewpoints is, ironically, what is exposing “deconstruction” for what it truly has become… a shift from God’s commands in His Word to man’s determination of what God’s viewpoint on various issues should be. Why I say this is ironic is because in its initial, pure definition, “deconstruction” was a movement limited to two fundamental principles of theology:
- The Biblical Christian church should be rejected as one of God’s instruments for promoting Christianity.
- Traditional (the last 200+ years) interpretations of Scripture are incorrect in specific, narrowly defined areas such as homosexuality, complementarianism, abortion and other progressive causes.
As deconstructionists have desired to find common ground in order to grow their movement, the term has now become a catchall category for every bizarre form of christianity-lite. It attracts those looking for validation of their narrow interpretation of some passages, (examples can be found here) while ignoring the full complement of the Bible. Even agnostics and atheists have come on board as supportive since these wild perspectives fit into their humanistic worldview of God being more of a lifeforce that has no lasting impact on mankind.
The internet, and, for my source of exposure, Medium, has been an excellent meeting place for all these iterations of deconstructionists who have learned that expressing some of their more aberrant views in a traditional church, or even in public face-to-face settings, results in rejection by both Biblical Christians and the general public.
Recommitment
In contrast, Recommitment in a Biblical Christian setting means recognizing one has departed from one or more tenants of their worldview, and desires to turn back toward God. That process could be as simple as prayerfully repenting of sin, or as complex as exploring the foundations of their faith in order to insure it aligns with God’s love letter to us, the Bible. This process is very different than “deconstruction/reconstruction” because the focus is on God as illuminated by Scripture and not man’s attempt to bend God to one’s personal, evolving worldview. For many Biblical Christians, “recommitment”, which results in the seeking out and confirmation of the fundamentals of their faith, is part of sanctification.
Sanctification is a life-long process (sometimes better referred to as “progressive sanctification”) of learning who God is and what He expects of us as we prepare to spend eternity with Him.
Summary
Deconstruction means one is exploring the foundations of their faith and subsequently moving away from the Bible, away from fellowship with other Biblical Christians, while establishing a broad, “open christianity” that conforms to their view of what is truth, moral, and right, rather than God’s view, (based on His Word). It involves replacing the God of the Bible with a false god based on what mankind “feels” He should think and believe. It means abdicating traditional beliefs about Salvation, Heaven & Hell, Jesus as fully God and fully man, and the Bible being authored by the God of the universe.
Recommitment means a recognition that one has drifted away from God and has a desire to return to His precepts and commands. This can represent a broad range of actions from a simple prayer of repentance to a full revisit of one’s foundational theology, with the objective of accepting the Bible and God’s traditional commands found within its pages as ultimate authority.
Sadly, the direction of the first group is headed away from God. The direction of the believer in the second group is heading toward a loving and righteous God who forgives.
Galatians 5:7-8 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
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Jeff Hilles | BCWorldveiw.org, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit
