#Rethink: Deconstruction, The Gospel of Luke, and Gratitude
#Rethink - February 2022
Today let's explore the benefits of deconstruction, ponder the gospel of Luke, and cultivate gratitude.
A War on Deconstruction?
At a recent Winter Jam concert, John Cooper--lead singer of the band Skillet--decided to share his thoughts on deconstruction with the audience. "It's time to declare war!" I've really appreciated some of the bold things Cooper has said in the past and I even wrote a blog post about him a few years ago. But John didn't seem to have a full understanding of deconstruction and also apparently confused it with deconversion. You can read an article from Relevant Magazine about the whole thing here. As you can imagine, the deconstruction community is up at arms. (Ha! That choice of words was an accident.)
Here's the thing, I understand Cooper's passion about Christian celebrities who publicly walk away from the faith and attempt to take a bunch of people with them. But instead of declaring war, we should be asking questions. Instead of giving condemnation we should be offering a listening ear. And instead of judging others, we should all be looking into the religious thing Evangelical Christianity has become.
People deconstruct because there is junk to deconstruct. I've been talking about this on my podcast. We have added so much extra stuff to the cores of the American Evangelical Christian faith that it's hardly recognizable any more. We are wishy-washy on our understanding of the gospel and staunch on things like gender roles and purity culture. We've embraced conspiracy theories and Christian Nationalism instead of the Real Jesus.
Another problem is our definition of deconstruction. Christian deconstruction covers a huge range of experiences. Some people, like me, reconstruct a faith that is very similar to their old one just with less extras. Others end up as atheists. And there is a huge range of experiences in between. Did you see the poem I wrote about this? Deconstruction simply means to take something apart. It doesn't define what you do with the pieces.
And there is one final problem. When people start to realize that the version of Christianity they've experienced might be false, do you know who is quick to reach out with acceptance? Here's a hint, it's not typically the American Evangelicals. It's the people who've already deconstructed to a more progressive faith, or the ones who have deconverted completely. Deconstruction seems to be intensely threatening to the Evangelical Community. And I have to wonder why. If Jesus really is the Way, Truth, and Life, wouldn't sincere questions lead us to Him? Can't He stand up to scrutiny and doubt? Maybe it's less about Jesus and more about a culture and worldview.
I'm continually finding new people who are also muddling around in the Awkward Middle Way, trying to find a balance of grace and truth, trying to stick with the cores of the Christian faith while ditching the extra religious traditions. But we aren't always the loudest voices. Maybe it's time we get a little louder. Let's boldly offer another option to those who are questioning their faith.
"Look at him! A drunkard and a glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"
Luke 7:34
I don't know if it's just the season of life I'm in, or if the gospel of Luke has always been so radical and I've just never noticed. Mark has always been my favorite gospel because of it's intensity, followed by John because it holds so many of Jesus' recorded words, but that might be changing.
I started slowly making my way through Luke before Christmas and I've finally made it to Chapter 8. Back in the cult days I used to try to read as much Scripture as possible because I thought it made me more spiritual. These days I like to nibble and savor.
Luke shows us a Jesus who is kind of contrary, definitely not following protocol or doing what's expected. He has run-ins with the Pharisees over and over again. He heals on the Sabbath right in the synagogue. He lets a prostitute touch his feet and then forgives her while having dinner with a religious leader. He is constantly calling out their hypocrisy. Luke specifically records that Jesus has female followers and even names three of them. My study Bible notes remind us that rabbis did not normally have women disciples. I like this Jesus. He doesn't fit in any boxes. We need Him right now in our modern churchy Church.
If you decide to read Luke with me, let me know if I'm crazy or if Jesus seems a bit purposefully radical to you too. :-)
Expressing Gratitude
I've been in my own house again for two weeks and it is AMAZING! We sold our old house in May of 2020 and moved in with my mother-in-law for "a few months" while we looked for a new one. Eighteen months later we finally moved out.
Guys, everything about this house makes me grateful right now. We had months of work before we could move into the main level and the basement still isn't finished. Our children are currently both sleeping in my office, and the garage and sunroom are filled with boxes and extra furniture. But, I have my own house. I have a pantry and a whole refrigerator to myself. Our things are out of storage. I have a fireplace, a bedroom with a beautiful view of the backyard, and a river behind the trees that I can walk down to anytime I want.
The last few years have been brutal for all of us in many ways, and I know that it's not over yet. But I've discovered something that is making me feel whole again: gratitude. As my heart overflows with thankfulness I feel stress release and joy fill my soul.
My friends, I don't know what you are going through, the hurt and pain that feels too deep, but I do know that we have simple and beautiful gifts around us every day. There is always a picture of God's grace to be discovered. My prayer is that you can see it too.
Thanks for taking a moment to #Rethink some of our religious traditions and beliefs. I know that it can be scary to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith, but finding the Real Jesus is absolutely worth it. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments.
If you know someone who would love to #rethink, please share!
Either forward this email to a friend or take a screen shot for easy sharing on social media. If you share, don't forget to tag me @christylynnewood.