Why I Dislike "Deconstruction"

Well, I think part of my dislike for this term goes back to my English Master's program at Clemson.  Back in the early 1990's, "Deconstructionism" and "Postmodern" literary analysis was all the rage.  Honestly, I'm confident I didn't understand it then, and still don't understand it now.  The difference is that I now know enough not to be overly impressed with anyone who waves that flag--it's just another category and word that can mean many things to many people and nothing at all.

As a Christian, I notice the term gaining ground in edgy circles in the last decade. It became fashionable to "deconstruct" one's childhood or adult faith.  If I think of it that way, I certainly had a season of deconstructing my childhood Catholic inheritance, then deconstructed my Pentecostal season.  Somehow in the effort to be "nondenominational" and place an emphasis on the authority and relevance of Biblical scripture and worship, I ended up in the Baptist camp, which is now a dirty word. Not that I disagree.  But all the same, words and still just words and many different noxious or benign things lurk under each.

And how is deconstructing different than growing up?  As we grow into maturity, which is certainly a prime Biblical value.  The apostle Paul is echoing in my mind here, and what a lovely translation:

"This work must continue until we are all joined together in what we believe and in what we know about the Son of God. Our goal is to become like a full-grown man—to look just like Christ and have all his perfection." Ephesians 4:13-ERV

I guess I feel like deconstruction is a slippery term. Are you saying that you are denouncing parts of your faith?  Are you denoucing belief in Christ?  In the authority of scriptures? What exactly are you deconstructing?  

An even more important question is "What are you building or REbuilding?" What do you struggle with and why? What have you come to peace with and take me through your journey and story.  That I can relate to.

But deconstruction, that feels a little pompous and too easy--like one of those toddler boys who ambles along knocking down another child's block tower, often solely for the pleasure of watching the tower fall.

I'm more interested in what you are building.