Reconstruction after Deconstruction, Post-Evangelicalism

Deconstruction

For those of us who have left the church — and possibly our Christian faith too — we tend to think oftentimes that “deconstruction IS the goal.” In reality, however, I’ve come to understand that it’s only part of the story. Deconstruction is hugely important for sure, but there’s a lot more to the journey — the reconstruction of our identity.

Church & Theology

According to “the naked pastor,” Canadian ex-pastor, author and cartoonist David Hayward, there are (at least) two different elements of the journey of deconstruction: 1) deconstructing one’s relationship with the church, and 2) deconstructing one’s theological/biblical views. Both aspects are extremely difficult, scary and associated with high levels of costs — both socially and (possibly) financially, especially if one’s livelihood is tied to any aspect of ministry.

Leaving church often means losing many significant relationships one has potentially spent a lifetime building, including family members; and deconstructing one’s views on theology and the Bible can be hugely threatening too, since both played such a significant part of our everyday lives. According to Hayward, “Religion is all-pervasive — down to the ‘cellular level’ as it were.” Religion formed our identities and worldview…