Deconstruction is a real thing happening to real people - maybe even someone you know. But what is it? There are no shortage of definitions for “deconstruction”, and most of them obscure what deconstruction truly is. For this course, Ian defines “deconstruction” as “a crisis of faith that leads to the questioning of core doctrines and untangling of cultural ideologies which settles in a faith that was different than before.” Understanding deconstruction as a crisis of faith is the most important starting point for how to walk with those who are deconstructing.
If you have ever walked through tragedy and loss, or walked with a loved one going through a loss, you are probably familiar with the Five Stages of Grief. The process of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance is a natural process that we all walk through when going through grief or loss. The deconstruction process, in many ways, is a process of grief and loss, and the Five Stages of Grief map onto the deconstruction process and experience very well. Understanding how the Five Stages of Grief relate to the deconstruction process is vitally important to walking with someone who is deconstructing.
Deconstruction does not happen in a vacuum. Usually, there is a catalyst that triggers a deconstruction process in someone’s life. Understanding what those catalysts are is foundational to understanding how doubt and doctrine are involved in the deconstruction process. Not all doctrines are equally important, nor is all doubt of equal weight, and being able to distinguish between core doctrinal beliefs and beliefs that are urgent, important, or unimportant is vital to helping someone make sense of their crisis of faith and how severe it may (or may not) be.
There are many factors that go into deconstruction, but one common factor is cultural ideologies that become conflated with being foundational to Christian belief and practice. Turbulent experiences, such as the 2016 election or the Covid-19 pandemic, can elevate political and cultural stances - such as who to vote for or how exactly to protect against Covid - to being as equally important as core Christian doctrines. The deconstruction process untangles how these cultural ideologies become interwoven with core Christian doctrines, and the various results that one can have as their deconstruction process comes to an end.
There are many factors that go into deconstruction, but one common factor is cultural ideologies that become conflated with being foundational to Christian belief and practice. Turbulent experiences, such as the 2016 election or the Covid-19 pandemic, can elevate political and cultural stances - such as who to vote for or how exactly to protect against Covid - to being as equally important as core Christian doctrines. The deconstruction process untangles how these cultural ideologies become interwoven with core Christian doctrines, and the various results that one can have as their deconstruction process comes to an end.
Books, Articles, Organizations, and Substacks our faculty recommend on this topic.