Tim Barnett and Alisa Childers: The Deconstruction of Christianity — Stand to Reason Podcast
Tim Barnett and @alisachilders, authors of “The Deconstruction of Christianity,” talk about what “deconstruction” means, why we shouldn’t embrace the term, problems with the deconstruction process, how we should go about evaluating our beliefs, what to say to someone going through deconstruction, and more.
0:00 Tim Barnett and Alisa Childers, authors of “The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond”
4:47 Why a book on deconstruction?
10:05 What is deconstruction?
15:45 Sounding the alarm: Don’t baptize “deconstruction”
24:47 What are the problems with deconstruction?
34:41 Balancing truth with compassion
40:53 What triggers people to question their faith, and why do some end up leaving but others don’t?
51:38 Are apologists saying we shouldn’t ask hard questions?
53:35 What should I say to someone who is going through deconstruction?
#StandtoReason #Apologetics #Christianity #Deconstruction #Worldviews
––––– MENTIONED ON THE SHOW –––––
“The Deconstruction of Christianity” by Tim Barnett and Alisa Childers: https://store.str.org/purchase/the-deconstruction-of-christianity
“Why I Changed My Mind about Deconstruction” by Tim Barnett: https://www.str.org/w/why-i-changed-my-mind-about-deconstruction
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So I understand you guy's concerns and there certainly is a group of people/philosophers/academics who are doing what you are calling out who we need to be careful when we engage with them if we engage them at all.
However I don't love the "don't baptize the word" idea. To me refusing to use the word is ceding the language to the movement. Like can we not talk about the rainbow in the Noah story because a modern movement has coopted it as symbol for an ungodly movement?
What do we call the healthy and necessary process of asking questions and digging into what the tradition you grew up believes and seeing what is biblical and what is traditions of man?
People going on that process don't need another person telling them they're asking questions the wrong way.
it's a search for objective truth that leads people to see christianity is not true. it's not postmodernism. your definition is flawed.
And isnt much of what is preached today a departure from the word of God. Liberalism in the church that its ok to believe your way, but also ok for me to believe my wat to ? Rather than God's way ? I think many true believers like myself leave the church because of these New Age teachings. When Pastors start teaching truth again people will return. But I do not see that happening . 2 Thess 2 is where we are now, and the book of Jude. Getting ready for the Rapture, and the bride is only half dressed !
I left the "church" because of all the false teachings and outright apostacy. People calling themselves little g gods, name it claim it, healthy wealthy and wise. I have not left my God or my faith. In fact I am stronger now, that I'm not doubting my beliefs of God's soverenty and His holiness, and what I know about God to be true, and right and studying His word on my own. Yes it's lonely at times. I miss the worship, but even some of that was polluted. Thanks for clarifying some of this for me.
Admittedly commenting from the start here, so maybe they’ll address this, but I’d be super curious how many deconstructed people these two actually talked to vs reading books/assuming things through 2nd hand information.
Thank you two so much for this episode!❤ I ordered the book some time ago, but it obviously takes A LOT of time to ship it to Switzerland, so this was so helpful. My sister deconstructed and I am so so thankful for what you said in the end. That sometimes it is okay not to talk about faith stuff anymore with a person, because it won't help, it probably will just make things work! Thank you, this has been a huge relief for me!
"Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition)"
(2 Thessalonians 2:3 AMPC)
I was a huge Cadman's Call fan back in the day. Derek was a great artist and songwriter. For someone that does not call himself a Christian any longer, I'm confused at why he still spends so much time in that space. Praying that he comes back to Jesus. 🙏
I did a lengthy interaction with bing ai about the meaning of deconstructionism, based on Derrida's concept of deconstructionism, based on AI's "concept" (a definition) of decontructionism.. The answers provided to my questions about the validity of the concept and definition just went in circles. The most prevalent response AI gives is that it is a paradox. If I understood correctly, it tries to convince the inquirer that a definition of deconstructionism cannot be pinned down by a definite definition. Yet, in all of the responses it gives, it is clear that a definition is being made. Tim said that "there is something fundamental about deconstruction that is wrong." I think the fundamental inadequacy is that it tries to convince one to be hyper-skeptical about knowledge, meaning, and understanding, that you can't really trust that something is objectively true and stable, and at the same time, presenting itself as a knowledge, which AI says "that's the dance it makes on the 'edge of meaning.'" So, If AI is relaying Derrida's concept and "meaning" of deconstructionism, then it's just clap-trap. In addition, Derrida falls on his own sword when he tried to give a definition to deconstructionism.
I walked away from pure Scriptural authority, looked at other religious writings, held them to the same level of intellectual scrutiny, got rid of all my theological assumptions especially with Jesus being God, salvation, hell, and in that, I found Christ in a way no church has ever taught me. I have a new understanding of God, and Jesus is God in my estimation for sure, he brought salvation, but my "Christ following beliefs" is totally different. I still don't have any qualms with the dao de Jing, and believe that Jesus fulfils a lot of religions. That isn't to say that Jesus wants to us to be taoist Christians, but I'm not sure we should be religious Christians either. Christ didn't come to make religion, he came to be the way
Instead of saying you deconstructed, maybe you should say you did a forensic analysis on your faith. Or maybe you put your faith to your own scrutiny. I would say that is a good practice. If someone isn't willing to question his own beliefs, he is not qualified to espouse those beliefs.
On the issue of conceding language, there is a lot of that in Christendom. “Same sex marriage”, “pro-choice”, etc. I think it is better to say “preborn”, rather than ”unborn”. I won't say “LGBTQ”. I say “gay and transgender”. But maybe even transgender is a conceding term. It's a very important issue that we need to address more.
One final thought… I can't help but think that deconstructing is a form of surrender. It's a lot of work to uphold Biblical truth in this culture. It can even be costly. It's much easier to just acquiesce to the culture for the sake of peace. Who wants to go against the grain and be denounced, called names, and blamed for everything? Nobody! But we'll take it because we can't possibly deny our Lord.