Can we stop placing “deconstruction” on a continuum between conservative beliefs that are transformed/updated/revised into more progressive ones?
Instead, there is modern fundamentalism in the West pretending to represent ALL OF CHRISTIANITY. And we need to deconstruct it in favor of the historical, ancient faith.
The process of many exevangelicals is to fault conservative Christianity (rightly so on many accounts). And then they drift—or run—toward a progressive Christianity that is high on activism (and outrage) and low on convictions connected to historic Christianity.
Tragic Irony
The tragic irony is that fundamentalist pretend they represent all and the best of Christianity. And then those deconstructing faith agree with them—that fundamentalism, or American Christian Nationalism, is all there has ever been to the Church.
But fundamentalism ISN’T THE CHURCH!
Modern Creations
The truth is, (white) progressive-liberalism is as much a modern creation as (white) conservative, Christian nationalism.
Both are committed to their own kind of fundamentalism (of the Bible, or of individual experience). And neither are nearly as foundational or integrated as they think.
Put Down the Modern Materials
So, on your road of deconstruction, please put down the modern books and skip the recent podcasts. Instead, look into what the ancient church believed.
Or better still, START DOING what the ancient church did, put off the modern “intellectual” pursuit, and start living the prayers, the liturgies, and the practices of the ancient church (and the contemporary church outside the West).
For more see these 5 fundamental shifts while deconstructing faith.