While doing a search on our website, BCWorldview.org, for the word “deconstruction” I was surprised to discover I had personally referred to the concept in 20 articles over the past nine months. That is likely just the tip of the iceberg when considering responses to questions or challenges from Medium readers.
Deconstruction as a religious exercise is clearly popular in today’s culture.
Deconstruction Defined
Webster defines deconstruction as, “the analytic examination of something (such as a theory), often in order to reveal its inadequacy”.
I think that accurately summarizes the term in the context of traditional faith-based Biblical Christianity.
An Alternative Word
A new approach to the term offered recently by a commentor suggested that “deconstruction” is actually a “revival” of our Christian beliefs, and that perhaps a better term for the journey would be “rearranging”. He went on to say that what is ”disappointing is the lack of so many Christian’s inability or desire to critically think for themselves… and, at the same time, call their lack of questioning, “faith”.”
I strongly believe that analyzing our underlying theology is a valuable exercise in growing our faith. However, a logical and all-encompassing reading of God’s Word should represent the guardrails of that “sanctification” process.
Why is Deconstruction so popular
In my view, when one moves away from a traditional view of Christianity it is logical to do so by challenging past “faith”, and by relying instead on human “critical thinking”. It is a pride-based transition when God’s Word is replaced with man’s logic and the current social trends of the day.
Twisting Scripture and rejecting past beliefs is not “rearranging” theology it is deconstructive rejection of God’s perfect truth.
Further, those who had little or no faith to begin with are drawn to deconstructionists like a magnet in order to validate their own evolving moral compass and lack of a belief in God. The lost logically resonate with those whom they perceive HAD a traditional Biblical Christian worldview and have subsequently rejected it.
This is why, for example, Backyard Church and its primary author has such a large following on Medium. People who desire to reject traditional Christianity and its institutions, such as the church, are looking to validate their worldview any way they can.
This open christianity can include all manner of convoluted variants. A small sample from those I have had discussions which include,
- Paul’s writings are corrupt but the gospels are to be trusted.
- God did not use the blood sacrifice of Christ to save the lost.
- Salvation is not an eternal matter; it is an expression of earthly contentment.
- The church is not an institution of God’s design and needs to be entirely rejected.
- The Bible was written by man and can’t be trusted.
- One only needs to love others, like Jesus did, to be saved.
- God is not all-knowing or all-powerful.
- There is an entirely different God between the Old Testament and the New.
- One can become perfect (sinless) in this life.
- Christ is only one of many paths to Heaven.
- There is no eternal Hell and/or Heaven.
- Jesus will never return for His people.
- Some totally reject of the existence of God, the Trinity, and the Bible
What does Scripture say about Deconstruction
Matthew 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Conclusion
Man’s vain attempt to “reveal [Biblical Christian] inadequacy” is not only attractive to atheists and agnostics, but to deconstructionists by encompassing all the new twisted variants of their former traditional faith-based Christianity.
All are welcome and stroked in this burgeoning group, looking for internet-based fellowship as a poor substitute to fill the vacuum left in their hearts.
Of course, my viewpoint seems harsh, narrow-minded, and bigoted. However, if our place in eternity was at stake, which in large part it is, I believe calling deconstruction (with little expectation of a Biblical Christian reconstruction) for what it is, is justified.
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Jeff Hilles | BCWorldveiw.org, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit
