Should You Your Christian Beliefs?
What do you mean by "deconstructing Christianity"?
"Deconstruct Christianity" means to break down and re-examine your fundamental beliefs by asking tough questions and seeking the truth.
But strangely, many use this phrase or another, like "deconstructing your faith," as a reason or excuse to get out of Christianity with little research or intent of finding the truth.
Many Christians can speculate on the reasons why. But I have my own opinions about it, and it is worrying because it fulfills end-time Biblical prophecies.
I will do my research and update this post in the future.
Why do we need to re-examine our fundamental beliefs?
Simply put, God gave us a mind of discernment and purpose. A curious mind to always seek the truth about everything at all costs.
We do not just believe everything that was taught, but we ask the question: why?
The Bible encourages us to test and search for the truth.
Is it easy to question your own Christian faith?
Definitely no!!
When one has held a belief for so long, it becomes difficult for them to look at the same belief from a different lens. It is never easy. And it is dangerous because we believe without understanding.
Asking tough questions about your own beliefs can shake the foundation of your soul and break you if you are not careful.
So, I applaud those who deconstructed Christianity, like Kristi Blake and others.
On one hand, they help Christians, like me, see a different view of our basic Christian doctrines;
On the other hand, they encourage viewers to tread along a fine crack that may sow the seeds of unbelief and doubt, which will lead them astray if not done carefully.
So should we even consider deconstructing Christianity?
Yes! Absolutely!
It's not just to prove if the Bible could be wrong (almost everyone has been attacking the Bible since the time of Jesus);
But also, to prove that the Bible is indeed the Word of God!
It is a challenge, but if done right, deconstructing Christianity can strengthen your faith further.
There are many atheists who, with the intent of finding faults by researching the Bible, eventually became strong believers in Christ because of the overwhelming evidence they gathered in truth.
We are all here to learn and seek the truth.
I believe everything hidden or unknown will be made known with prayer and careful research.
"For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." - Luke 8:17
"For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open." - Mark 4:22
But are you willing to accept the truths when you have found them?
"We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." - 1 John 4:6-7
"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
You see, not many are willing to accept the truth, even when the evidence is staring right in their faces!
Many would prefer to live in sin and believe in falsehood because it is easier, more pleasurable, more fun, and unaccountable to anyone!
The Bible says:
"..that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." - John 3:19
If you are open-minded and genuinely seeking the truth, then this is the place for you!
Some of may ask
"Won't deconstructing Christianity permanently destroy your faith?"
Yes! Deconstruct your Christian beliefs, and you will face the probability of destroying your faith for good if done irresponsibly.
I have watched many "deconstruction videos" by people who deconstructed the Bible texts out of spite, with no intention of finding the truth. They use the atheist platform to try to denounce and destroy the credibility of the Bible.
Others failed to research responsibly and misinterpreted the Biblical texts altogether, hence giving way to misunderstandings, and strayed from their faith.
Interestingly, many of these "de-constructors" share the following similar characteristics:
- Something bad happened in their lives and they blamed God for it
- Many were from evangelical churches, whose main Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for believers were the number of converts that they could bag, instead of focusing on having a relationship with Christ
- Some stumbled on difficult doctrines and jumped to conclusions without thoroughly searching for the truth
Unfortunately, even when the truth was finally revealed, these people still continued to reject it because they chose to.
And it hardened their hearts.
A few even said that even if God were to reveal Himself to them, they would still not believe or accept Him.
If you are one of these who have already decided not to believe in the Bible regardless of any evidence or truths presented, then there is nothing I can do but pray for the Holy Spirit to work in you.
".. in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." - 2 Timothy 2:25-26
Remember that Christ commissioned us to only spread the good news and sow the seeds. Not to coerce and pull in converts to increase their KPIs.
"..the Lord Jesus gave this command: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all the creation" - Mark 16:15
The Holy Spirit is the only one that can convict non-believers into accepting Christ.
Not us.
We merely proclaim and do the after-service, i.e. help and lead the new converts to grow in Christ.
"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and of judgment." - John 16:8
Conviction and salvation come from the work of the Holy Spirit. Humans need only to soften their hearts to receive. The reason many do not is because they have hardened their hearts.
God gave us free will to choose and believe.
In Exodus chapters 7-11, the evil Pharaoh had hardened his hearts at least five times before God allowed Pharaoh's stubbornness and sins to prevail, allowing his hearts to be hardened further, despite the plaques.
Skeptics argue that God should not have hardened Pharaoh's heart; otherwise, it is not free will. Or was it?
God gave Pharaoh free will to choose.
Pharaoh chose to harden his own heart because of his pride, despite the warnings and the plaques
Remember that God is sovereign. He already knew what the evil pharaoh would do.
By "hardening the pharaoh's heart", it meant that God allowed the pharaoh to continue with his stubbornness and pride. And God used this to show his wonders and destroy the gods of Egypt. We can discuss this at length in another post.
For those who believed in Christ and repented with softened hearts, God worked on them and gave them salvation.
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." -John 6:44
On a positive note, since God is sovereign, He often uses the unexpected for His purposes.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20
God sometimes uses such deconstruction videos to help strengthen our faith in Christ, just like it did for me!
I was troubled when I first watched some of these videos attacking the Bible on some difficult biblical concepts.
My foundation was shaken, and I was curious. I prayed about it and started seeking the truth.
The Holy Spirit then helped me understand..
"..the Holy Spirit.. will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.." - John 14:26
Hence, I am now committed to sharing as much as I am able to clarify difficult biblical concepts and dispel attacks from skeptics and non-believers.
Because I believe the Bible (the original manuscript) is inerrant!
And I pray that the day will come when the skeptics (who truly seek God) will finally see the light and be set free.
How should you deconstruct Christianity responsibly?
There are three things and mindsets that you may need:
#1 Understand the Nature of God
We can debate God's existence in another article. But for now, if you really want to find the truth, the following are some simple basic concepts of God that all Christians should know:
- God stands outside of time. He knows the past, present, and future events.
- God can do anything according to His will and pleasure. He created us and gave us a purpose on earth, guiding us through the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please"
- Isiah 46:10
- God hopes to fellowship with you and bring you home to righteousness.
"The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them." - Psalm 25:14
"That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." - John 17:21
- God is not a human. He does not think like us.
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.."
- Numbers 23:19
"He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind." - 1 Samuel 15:29
We can discuss the nature of God in another post.
#2 Willingness to accept the truth when revealed
What's the point of searching for the truth and yet not willing to believe the truth?
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" - Ephesians 1:13
#3 Bible Research Tools
In order to ensure that your Biblical verses are correct, you need to use texts from the original Old & New Testament manuscripts with direct translations. The best bible for research, in my opinion, is the King James Bible.
How? Download or buy (digital or physical) the following:
- King James Bible (because of the care and persistence put into the translation over the years)
- Greek/Hebrew interlinear bibles (direct translation from Hebrew/Greek)
- Hebrew Lexicon (learn Hebrew)
Conclusion
You should not just accept what you see and hear, but question everything and find out the truth for yourself.
So, I encourage you to deconstruct your Christian faith because it will help you grow stronger in Christ when you learn more about God.
However, one must be careful not to fall into the trap of jumping to conclusions without thoroughly researching and seeking a true understanding of biblical texts.
I do not expect you to hold the same beliefs about an inerrant Bible as I do, but at least you can start by asking questions. And never stop asking and searching for answers.
If there is no one else, then let me take up the challenge. I would gladly research and try to explain any difficult biblical text as best I can.
I hope this article has been useful. You can check out the resource page for other useful links.
Should you deconstruct Christianity to seek the truth?
Should you deconstruct the deconstructed?
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
God Bless! Have a Great Day!
