ministry - Note 2.0 - The Reimagine Network2024-03-29T01:29:22Zhttps://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/notes/feed/tag/ministryDeconstructing or Reconstructing Faith?https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/notes/deconstructing-or-reconstructing-faith2022-10-19T19:55:38.000Z2022-10-19T19:55:38.000ZReimagine Curatorhttps://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC<div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong><span class="gmail_default">Deconstructing or Reconstructing Faith?</span><br /></strong></em></span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">Phil Miglioratti @ The Remagine.Network</span></span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>“</strong><strong>Most pastors have heard of deconstruction and some say they’ve seen it in their pews,</strong> but no one knows exactly what faith deconstruction means.</em></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><em>Just because someone is re-evaluating what they believe, doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve quit believing entirely.”<span class="gmail_default"> </span></em></span><a href="https://research.lifeway.com/2022/10/19/what-is-deconstruction/">Li<span class="gmail_default">zzy</span> Haselstine</a></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">#ItSeemsToMe…some <span class="gmail_default">evangelicals </span>are deconstructing but many of us are reconstructing. Inviting a Spirit-led, Scripture-fed review and, as necessary, revision of the containers we have designed to <span class="gmail_default">carry, the templates we have constructed to </span>codify<span class="gmail_default">,</span> our beliefs and perspectives. A faith journey to <span class="gmail_default">assess where</span> true faith <span class="gmail_default">has been contaminated or compromised by</span> traditions<span class="gmail_default"></span> and<span class="gmail_default">/or</span> cultural biases <span class="gmail_default">we</span> have<span class="gmail_default"> begun to think of as correct - faultless - universal expressions of Holy Scripture</span>. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><strong>“Many have been influenced by culture instead of by the church”</strong> <span class="gmail_default">(LH) ... </span>but reconstruction recognizes that <span class="gmail_default">norms and standards of </span>culture have also influenced the church. Identifying <span class="gmail_default">customs-traditions-values that steer or dilute Scripture is essential to both </span>personal <span class="gmail_default">discipleship </span>and corporate <span class="gmail_default">culture</span>.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><strong>“People rely on their circumstances to create their worldviews”</strong> <span class="gmail_default">(LH) ... </span>but so does our theologizing. Our creedal statements remain foundational but our interpretations and applications need constant<span class="gmail_default">,</span> thoughtful reflection <span class="gmail_default">to</span> identif<span class="gmail_default">y</span> perspectives that are based <span class="gmail_default">up</span>on <span class="gmail_default">or shaped by</span>our tribal<span class="gmail_default">/temporal</span> context.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><strong>“Before we self-righteously point fingers at someone questioning God</strong>, take time to consider what that person may have gone through or be facing and pray for them. When someone is deconstructing their faith, it is not a time to criticize or be skeptical of them but to love them well”<span class="gmail_default"> (LH) ...</span> and to listen. They may have wisdom from the Spirit that applies to us as well.<span class="gmail_default"> Failure to listen and learn will only result in more deconstruction (unbelief) than reconstruction (renewed belief).</span></span></div></div>