This month let's question a narrow definition for faith deconstruction, explore spirituality that transforms us, and ponder ways God gives good gifts to His children.
Hi Christy, thanks for this. I too have been through a period of rethinking my faith and, I think finding a more satisfactory understanding of the biblical narrative and how I align with that. It has been good for me personally.
I believe deconstructing can have negative connotations and for me it was more a rethinking, realigning, reconstructing experience.
As to the Categories of Spirituality, I was at a Spiritual Transformation seminar a few weeks ago led by Trevor Hudson. He refers to words in each of the following verses which highlight three aspects of our journey: 2 Cor 3:18 - TRANSFORMED (inner change), Ro 8:29 - CONFORMED (the pattern of our lives) and Gal 4:19 - FORMED (a distinct identity) - all transforming us into the image of Christ by the Spirit. It seems to resonate with what Burge was saying.
Hi Christy, I ((might)) have found the source you were looking for re: Francis Chan--you do well to cite the origin of his thoughts, as addressing something out of context doesn't serve your readers. Very wise of you....
Here's what I found online (from 3 years ago):
"As the church heads into what he calls “a new season,” pastor and author Francis Chan is urging leaders in evangelical Christianity to encounter God and to make worship sacred and reverent again. In a message last week at the Exponential Reset Summit, Chan addressed the recent wave of high-profile Christians who have “deconstructed,” or left the faith. He also encouraged pastors to focus more on the vertical nature of faith and worship."
Great post and thoughts! My uncle was a pastor with the Wesleyans for years and retired. I enjoyed reading your Lego analogy and and believe it fits great. However fundamantalism has ruined the whole idea of playing with the set and even taking it apart to rebuild. I do love the study of Legos and reading the manuals on how things are constructed and also enjoy learning about what pieces folks put back where , but to sit on the floor and become involved in the process? No way! I'm fine with observing folks build their sets and I'm fine with them telling me about their Lego set and even having them show me how they are working their set, like you are with your work. However, to become committed to putting a set together for myself and then combing that with others will take time and maybe game strategy.
Taken from Seth Godin's up coming book This is Strategy, here are a few things about games that are generally true:
-You don’t have to enjoy the game for it to be a game.
-You’re playing a game whether you realize it or not.
-The outcome of a game often has little to do with how much you want to win.
- Everyone playing the game has a different perspective than you do.
- Some games are easy to quit, other games are forever.
-Not all players follow the same rules, even when playing the same game.
-No game stays the same for long, because playing the game changes the game.
-Short-term gains can lead to long-term losses, and vice versa.
-Sometimes, the best way to win is to help others succeed.
-Large games are made of smaller games, all the way down.
-Most games are not fair.
-The most valuable skills in one game may be useless in another.
-If you see the game, you’ll probably play it better.
-Your goals might not be the same as everyone else’s.
-Some games become easier as you win, others more difficult.
-Changing the game is often more straightforward than playing the game you’re offered.
-Multiplayer games sometimes conceal themselves as two-player games.
-We mistakenly spend more time figuring out how to win the game we’re in instead of choosing which game to play in the first place.
Oh Christie, I love this SO much. Especially the pastor's three different types of spirituality. This makes SO much sense to me. I've always felt like it's not just about obedience. Yes, that is where we begin as baby Christians but even that is empty if we're not actually also allowing God to touch our hearts. I don't want to obey because I'm afraid I'll get punished if I don't. (Although I think there is a place for healthy fear of God in obedience.) I want to obey because I love and trust Jesus and His will becomes my will as I bring my messy heart to him over and over again. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂🙌
Hi Christy, thanks for this. I too have been through a period of rethinking my faith and, I think finding a more satisfactory understanding of the biblical narrative and how I align with that. It has been good for me personally.
I believe deconstructing can have negative connotations and for me it was more a rethinking, realigning, reconstructing experience.
As to the Categories of Spirituality, I was at a Spiritual Transformation seminar a few weeks ago led by Trevor Hudson. He refers to words in each of the following verses which highlight three aspects of our journey: 2 Cor 3:18 - TRANSFORMED (inner change), Ro 8:29 - CONFORMED (the pattern of our lives) and Gal 4:19 - FORMED (a distinct identity) - all transforming us into the image of Christ by the Spirit. It seems to resonate with what Burge was saying.
My thoughts!
Thanks for sharing this! And thanks for reading. 😀
This is so good. Thank you!
You are welcome! Thanks for reading.
Wonderful imagery. I gave defining deconstruction a shot way back when I was in the midst of it in '22.
https://open.substack.com/pub/dlbacon/p/deconstruction?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2v2ne0
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Christy, I ((might)) have found the source you were looking for re: Francis Chan--you do well to cite the origin of his thoughts, as addressing something out of context doesn't serve your readers. Very wise of you....
Here's what I found online (from 3 years ago):
"As the church heads into what he calls “a new season,” pastor and author Francis Chan is urging leaders in evangelical Christianity to encounter God and to make worship sacred and reverent again. In a message last week at the Exponential Reset Summit, Chan addressed the recent wave of high-profile Christians who have “deconstructed,” or left the faith. He also encouraged pastors to focus more on the vertical nature of faith and worship."
https://churchleaders.com/news/397881-evangelical-christianity-joke-francis-chan.html
Thank you!
Great post and thoughts! My uncle was a pastor with the Wesleyans for years and retired. I enjoyed reading your Lego analogy and and believe it fits great. However fundamantalism has ruined the whole idea of playing with the set and even taking it apart to rebuild. I do love the study of Legos and reading the manuals on how things are constructed and also enjoy learning about what pieces folks put back where , but to sit on the floor and become involved in the process? No way! I'm fine with observing folks build their sets and I'm fine with them telling me about their Lego set and even having them show me how they are working their set, like you are with your work. However, to become committed to putting a set together for myself and then combing that with others will take time and maybe game strategy.
Taken from Seth Godin's up coming book This is Strategy, here are a few things about games that are generally true:
-You don’t have to enjoy the game for it to be a game.
-You’re playing a game whether you realize it or not.
-The outcome of a game often has little to do with how much you want to win.
- Everyone playing the game has a different perspective than you do.
- Some games are easy to quit, other games are forever.
-Not all players follow the same rules, even when playing the same game.
-No game stays the same for long, because playing the game changes the game.
-Short-term gains can lead to long-term losses, and vice versa.
-Sometimes, the best way to win is to help others succeed.
-Large games are made of smaller games, all the way down.
-Most games are not fair.
-The most valuable skills in one game may be useless in another.
-If you see the game, you’ll probably play it better.
-Your goals might not be the same as everyone else’s.
-Some games become easier as you win, others more difficult.
-Changing the game is often more straightforward than playing the game you’re offered.
-Multiplayer games sometimes conceal themselves as two-player games.
-We mistakenly spend more time figuring out how to win the game we’re in instead of choosing which game to play in the first place.
My goal is to be on your podcast some day.
Sorry I just realized I spelled your name wrong but I can't go back and edit! 🤦♀️
Haha! It’s fine.
Oh Christie, I love this SO much. Especially the pastor's three different types of spirituality. This makes SO much sense to me. I've always felt like it's not just about obedience. Yes, that is where we begin as baby Christians but even that is empty if we're not actually also allowing God to touch our hearts. I don't want to obey because I'm afraid I'll get punished if I don't. (Although I think there is a place for healthy fear of God in obedience.) I want to obey because I love and trust Jesus and His will becomes my will as I bring my messy heart to him over and over again. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂🙌
You are welcome!!