Is There Something Beyond Deconstruction?

Today I begin a new series I will develop.

Many today claim they are in a “phase of deconstruction.” I have not been able to determine just exactly what they mean by deconstruction but the general point is clear. They find the Christian faith as they have experienced it to be inadequate. Whether it is some intellectual problem (science vs. Genesis 1-2 and the creationism they were taught) or the hypocrite problem (well-known pastors collapsing) or social problem (why can’t the church get on board with universal health care?), they are finding the church falling short. The credibility of the church’s claims is withering for them.

Photo by Jordy Meow on Unsplash

Then I read this rather blunt set of observations by Will Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas in their Christian Century interview:

Willimon: Years later, as a bishop, I became troubled that many contemporary pastors aspired only to be obsequious pastoral caregivers and hand-holders—the pastor as the empathetic helping healer who goes for the low-hanging fruit by encouraging people to display and then lick their wounds.

Hauerwas: You were right to be troubled. The pastor is supposed to be a truth teller who helps the baptized grow up and survive as Christians. Pastoral care is supposed to be the work of the whole church. Both as an academic discipline and as a practice, pastoral care has become obsessed with the personal wounds of people in advanced industrial societies who have discovered that their lives lack meaning.  “What did you expect?” I want to ask these people. “Quit taking yourselves so seriously. Enjoy having your narcissism defeated by being drawn into the church’s eschatological mission to witness to Christ’s cross and resurrection.” That’s care worthy of the name Christian.

There’s something here, so I believe, but there’s also a tone deafness that surprised me.

I believe we can respond in a double manner to the deconstructors who, let’s admit it, can be long on criticisms and very very short on actual solutions. Only the tone deaf dismiss their criticisms of the church.

First, there is as Kris said to me the other day on a walk around our lake, “there’s an emerging movement feel to some of this deconstruction talk.” Perhaps we can get our ears closer to the ground and, once again, listen and discern what is at the heart of the deconstruction.

What do they see as the problems? What is it that makes the faith no longer credible?

Yes, there is a road weariness in the journey many have traveled, exacerbated by the intensity of social media and awareness of what everyone else is doing all the world. That’s our new reality. Only those who opt out of social media will escape the intensity of the modern experience.

Yes, too, for some a deconstruction phase is an entitlement, it’s a way of being part of the “kewl kids,” and it can take on an air of intellectual smugness. Yes, that exists but dismissing the whole because of these few will not do. There’s something at work that needs our attentive listening.

Second, let’s ask them for their solutions. Again, it’s far easier to bark about problems than it is

(1) to propose a better way and
(2) actually do it by living into a different reality.

So, what does REconstruction look like on the other side of this DEconstruction?

I have some ideas. I’ve actually composed a list in a Moleskine but I want to know what you think.

What do the deconstructors want instead of what they’ve got now?

And, are you seeing anyone who has gone beyond the deconstruction to viable reconstruction? What does that look like?