In recent years, the term “deconstruction” has become a hot topic in evangelical circles. In the most positive sense, it refers to a Christian evaluating the faith of her youth in pursuit of a faith less dependent on culture and more consistent with Scripture.
François Schaeffer I went through this kind of process even as a missionary. He writes: “I walked, prayed, and thought about what the Scriptures taught, reviewing my own reasons for being a Christian. » Schaeffer’s reassessment turned out to be positive: “Little by little the sun rose and the song came. » He gained confidence in the historic Christian faith.
Once a person’s personalized algorithm catches on to the trend, a trickle can turn into a flood of resources in their feed. Soon, deconstruction may appear to be the only logical solution.
However, some who engage in the deconstruction process end up rejecting historical Christianity. There have been renowned pastors and influencers making headlines by announcing that they are no longer Christians, although they have preached many sermons and written popular books. The term “evangelical” was coined in 2016 as a hashtag to rally those who have crossed over to the other side by rejecting orthodoxy. A cottage industry of deconstruction coaches and spiritual directors is growing, with books, videos, and private coaching sessions to help people reevaluate the tenets of their faith, often with a view to replacing it.
Even though many young people are unaware of deconstruction and the evangelical community, Internet users are likely to have discovered this concept on social networks. Once a person’s personalized algorithm catches on to the trend, a trickle can turn into a flood of resources in their feed. Soon, deconstruction may appear to be the only logical solution.
Questioning faith: indirect journeys of belief through terrains of doubt
Randy Newman
Questioning faith: indirect journeys of belief through terrains of doubt
Randy Newman
Traverse/TGC. 152 pages.
After 40 years of listening to hundreds of faith stories, Randy Newman understood that answering spiritual questions usually involves a series of twists and turns, not a straight climb from one belief to another. Our political views, family background, understanding of sexuality, and religious backgrounds all play a role in our faith journey. If you or a friend are navigating terrain of doubt, you will find that Newman is a faithful guide. It will help you sort through your many questions and find solid answers.
Traverse/TGC. 152 pages.
Fortunately, a growing number of faithful resources can help parents, youth leaders, and pastors understand what deconstruction is and encourage healthy questioning while pointing those who struggle with faith toward historic Christianity. Some are useful for encouraging potential deconstructors to approach their questions healthily.
1. Questioning faith by Randy Newman (TGC/Crossway)
Our faith journeys are rarely a straight line. Newman provides a resource for those struggling with doubts and difficult questions. Most Christians do not have absolute certainty and do not fully address all their doctrinal concerns.
Questioning faith is an invitation to examine more carefully the common arguments against historical Christianity. Newman’s balanced approach shows why these questions are so important right now, but he also explains why there are better answers to be found in orthodox Christianity than in other alternatives. This would be a good discipleship resource for new believers and for Christians who are experiencing doubts.
2. Before you lose your faith edited by Ivan Mesa (TGC)
Some of your favorite TGC authors explain what deconstruction is, analyze the issues that often trigger deconstruction, and encourage rebuilding fragile faith. This is an accessible volume that encourages difficult questions, but also helps people navigate them.
Before you lose your faith brings diverse voices to the table, many of whom have experienced doubts or been troubled by the ways in which Christians have failed to live up to their ideals. However, each of them found Jesus to be a treasure worth selling everything for.
3. Surprised by doubt by Joshua Chatraw and Jack Carson (Brazos)
Many ex-evangelicals claim to be experts in the faith they abandoned. A closer assessment shows that many of them actually rejected distorted or limited versions of Christianity without taking into account the full range of Christian beliefs.
Chatraw and Carson assess four potential landing points for deconstructing Christians: the new atheism, optimistic skepticism, mythic truth, and open spirituality. They show how these alternatives are less satisfactory than historical Christianity. Thanks to well-articulated arguments, Surprised by doubt invites readers to find their home in the great, satisfying space of Christian orthodoxy.
4. Set adrift by Sean McDowell and John Marriott (Zondervan)
This volume is a good resource for a mature Christian to study with someone who is trying to make sense of the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. Deconstruction can feel like being adrift in the fog, having lost sight of the shore. McDowell and Marriott take doubts seriously, recognizing that our culture often makes unbelief easier than belief, but they offer a navigational chart to guide young Christians returning home. This book would be very helpful to those who are just beginning to struggle to make sense of faith.
5. True spirituality by Francis A. Schaeffer (Crossway)
Schaeffer’s crisis of faith led to a renewed commitment to historic Christianity. This book does not document in detail his process of reevaluating his faith, but it is the fruit of that process. This shows that the result of the questions can (and should) be a deeper and richer Christianity than before.
As Schaeffer notes in the preface, the contents of this book form the basis of his apologetic vision at L’Abri, where he set about “teaching historical Christian answers and giving honest answers to honest questions,” trying to show his guests that Christianity is truly and truly the best explanation of reality. Even if some believers fail to fully live their faith, there is a true Christian spirituality that satisfies our deepest aspirations.
6. Questioned by Matthew Lee Anderson (Moody)
Anderson’s book is a beautiful call to deepen the Christian faith and adopt a “questioning mood” in life. This volume will better serve those who yearn for a deeper and more intellectual approach to Christianity than has been offered to them. Questioned helps curious intellectuals turn their requests for opportunities for apostasy into incitements for doxology. Anderson encourages honest questions but also helps readers recognize the difference between caustic skepticism and genuine inquiry.
7. The deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett (Tyndale)
This book is useful for those seeking to understand the nature of deconstruction. Unlike the other resources on this list, The deconstruction of Christianity is primarily aimed at those who are trying to understand this cultural phenomenon.
Even though some Christians fail to fully live their faith, there is a true Christian spirituality that satisfies our deepest aspirations.
Filled with analysis that reflects careful research, this book argues that the term “deconstruction” is irredeemable and that faithful Christians should not use it to discuss the process of honestly refining their faith. Childers and Barnett demonstrate, using multiple contemporary examples, the open hostility of many members of the evangelical movement toward anything that represents orthodox Christianity. They also provide useful instructions for those dealing with someone engaged in the deconstruction process.
