March 24

Written by Bill Grandi on March 24th, 2021

There is a lot of talk these days-as well as a lot written- about what is called deconstruction. It is especially pointed when it involves prominent, well-known or well-respected people. We’ve seen in recent years pastors and leaders like Joshua Harris (“I Kissed Dating Goodbye”) announce he was getting a divorce and then just a few days later that he was leaving the faith and no longer considered himself a Christian. A worship leader from Hillsong. The lead singer of the Christian group Hawk Nelson. YouTube personalities Rhett and Link. That is just to name a few of those who have “deconstructed.”

I’m not talking about progressive like Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, Michael Gungor or Richard Rohr. That’s a whole ‘nother ball of tangled and messed up string.

These “deconstructors” dismantle their faith, leaving nothing. How and when it started is different. Some went through a class in college. Some went through a crisis in life. Some had a repressive, fundamentalist background they wanted to break free from. The reasons behind deconstruction are numerous.

Questioning one’s faith is not bad…or wrong. Oswald Chambers once said, “Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong. It may be a sign that he is thinking.” I believe it is good to question, to kick the tires so to speak. I disagree with those who say that if we question it shows we don’t have real faith in Jesus. Oddly enough, it is that type of environment that has caused many deconstructions to happen. I heard a podcast recently where the interviewee said there are three stages one goes through: construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction. Start. Middle. Finish.

Here’s a novel idea (well, not really but it sounded good 🙂 ). Instead of demonizing those who question, let’s encourage honest questions. Not the superficial kind. Honest ones. But let’s encourage that the questions not be answered by secular culture or by the cancel culture we see and hear so much from these days, but instead run to Jesus with the questions. Let’s seek honest answers to our questions. 

“Father, help me to be honest in my questions.  Help me to admit that some questions will not have answers. Help me to run to Jesus and not away from Him” 

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Diane Ronzino says:

    What kind of father would not allow his child to ever ask questions?! I don’t even understand where that comes from. Except that it is demonically induced. Of course, we can question. I think Abba loves us to question so that we gain clarity and understanding – IF WE ARE TRULY SEEKING THE TRUTH.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      On both levels I agree with you Diane. On the earthly level and the spiritual level. Allowing questions is a way to learn. I am glad my heavenly father allows questions.

  2. Ryan S. says:

    I won’t deny I have had and still do have questions…Bill, as you stated, questions aren’t bad. I think questions are healthy. I think questions can ultimately build our faith.

    I won’t deny I have even gone through periods of doubt. “How could a loving God let X happen?” “Why does God let certain people get away with that?”

    I think many of those things can be answered by accepting that God allows free-will. That he allows the choices of mankind to occur. He intervenes, at times, but for the most part allows life to happen. I think God’s primary intervention is when people allow God to intervene. That is when REAL change happens.

    If one’s faith is based on the Sunday morning children’s stories at church, or the fact that one’s parent’s grew up in the church, or because I was once at the bottom of the barrel, came out, but now find myself in a new barrel…
    Then it likely a faith that has not been tested. That has not been through the fire…

    Faith requires a significant amount of testing. Mine has been tested a number of times, it will continue to be tested. My hope is that at the end of this life, it has been tested and proven true.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I won’t deny i have had times of questions but can’t say I have doubted the existence of God. Maybe His faithfulness or love at times but not to the extent that I turned away. I do agree with you about Faith requires testing. That is what builds our faith to become strong. Thanks for the answer.

  3. There is no shame in doubts or questions, Bill, as long as we run to our Father for the answer. A former pastor I had was great at encouraging us to do just that.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I do agree with you, especially after you said “as long as we run to the Father.” That is where our answers will be found.