Disorder And Reorder
Ask Me Anything
Week 15: Disorder & Reorder
How I do I start deconstruction? Within deconstruction, how do I tell if I’m “cherry picking” what to believe or actually getting rid of misconceptions?
Is it possible to truly believe in something that can’t be proven?
How on earth can anyone be comfortable in their faith? How can anyone confidently believe they have it right?
Last week, we talked about deconstruction and discussed Richard Rohr's faith model: order, disorder, reorder. Order (construction) is where faith begins. We construct our beliefs into neat containers with rules and regulations on what we believe. Disorder (deconstruction) is when we question our worldview. Our "containers" no longer work due to the tragic realities of life that we've experienced. Reorder (reconstruction) is the act of rebuilding a faith practice that is okay with existing in tension, there is room for wonder. If you want longer descriptions on each of those stages, you can look at our Deconstruction 101 crew guide. I want to reiterate that while I think this is a helpful way to discuss our faith journeys, it may not apply to everyone. If you don’t feel like you are ordered, disordered, or re-ordered, that is okay.
Today, we are going to discuss how disorder and reorder can shift our intention. We are taught, intentionally or not, that to have doubts, means that we lack belief. Doubt versus faith is a false dichotomy. In this series, Ask Me Anything, several people have submitted the same question, "What is the goal of Christian faith?" This question directly relates to deconstruction, because in many ways, deconstruction alters our "why". What is our intention? Why did we seek this community? What about faith/spirituality speaks to you? What are you searching for? Let's keep these questions in mind as we explore together.
Ordered faith advertises answers, and it can be really hard to get out of that mindset. It's okay to not have a clear-cut answer for people when they ask you what you believe. Faith and doubt are not opposites. Western Christianity has been knowledge driven since the middle ages. The pursuit of knowledge is important, however, it can create the tendency to believe we have all of the answers. It teaches us that answers are right and doubt is wrong. Rohr says, "To hold the full mystery of life is always to endure its other half, which is the equal mystery of death and doubt. To know anything fully is always to hold that part of it which is still mysterious and unknowable."
To re-address two of tonight's questions, "Is it possible to truly believe in something that can’t be proven?” and “How on earth can anyone be comfortable in their faith? How can anyone confidently believe they have it right?", ordered faith spaces provide proof for faith, and definitive answers about what is and isn't "God's will." There is something noble about seeking answers, but when we grip them so tightly that we can no longer see the fact that we are causing harm, something needs to change. This idea is crucial to any sort of justice work: recognizing the harm, learning from it, and finding a better way that prevents the same harm from happening again. When we release dogmatic thinking, we give ourselves the freedom and permission to dream with God. I have more peace now in a reordered faith than when I had an ordered faith, because now I have given myself the permission to discover, wonder, get it wrong and try again.
A common critique of deconstruction is "cherry picking." I think we need to get away from this language, because it is really harmful. Disagreeing on theology doesn't make it cherry-picking. Christianity is expansive. There are so many ways to practice and interpret the meaning of Jesus. From the beginning, there has been a diverse range of beliefs. It's important to be thoughtful and passionate about our faith, as it is deeply personal and informs the way we interact in the world. Our ethics and sense of morality can shift our religious views and cause us to understand Jesus through a different light. All of the Gospels interpreted Jesus differently, at different times, for different communities.
It is a red flag when people are confident that their answers are absolutely correct, with no room for question (even when it causes harm). This keeps faith leaders from being held accountable to their harmful theology. Though there is a lot of room for disagreement within the bounds of hermeneutics and scriptural interpretation, there are poor hermeneutics. The farther you are from the context of a work, the more important it is to arrive at an informed hermeneutic, because we interpret things differently over time. When we look at the Bible, we can see how there have been bad, damaging hermeneutics that have happened over time. For instance, slavery was constantly upheld with key passages (Genesis 9:18-27; Ephesians 6:5-7) that were grossly misinterpreted in order to justify slavery in the U.S. When we don’t allow other voices to hold us accountable, greater harm is done. We need to be cautious and responsible in the way we reorder our beliefs, by providing room for accountability and conversation.
Reconstruction as Holy Work
Richard Rohr describes those who have a reconstructed faith as, "People who have reached this stage, like the Jewish prophets, might be called 'radical traditionalists.' They love their truth and their group enough to critique it; and they critique it enough to maintain their own integrity and intelligence. These wise ones have stopped overreacting but also over defending." Jesus's ministry consisted of just that. He was settled, curious, shook the status quo, and didn’t settle for injustice. There was a settled confidence, clear mission, and deep love of people. There is no mistaking the fact that Jesus calls us to love one another above all else. Love is the hardest thing God could ask of us. It is easier to seek answers or rules, but Jesus is quite clear, John 13:34-35 (NLT), "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." (This command is also given in John 14:15, 21, 23-24; 15:8-9, 12, 17). John was written at a politically charged time. His audience was comprised of Roman citizens that had to decide whether to stay Jewish, to worship in secret, or to worship publicly and suffer any consequences. John believed the only answer was to worship publicly instead of taking the safe route. The Women's Bible Commentary says "He (John) calls his readers to do exactly what Jesus did--live one's faith and love of God publicly, even if the cost of that is execution at the hands of Rome." I don't think any of us will suffer capital punishment for what we believe. I do think, that this call to take the scary challenging, unclear route of loving our neighbor fully is a good one. Reconstruction looks like prioritizing love over rules and answers. To love well means to seek justice and liberation for all people, which isn't the safe, easily-defined choice.
Disorder and Reorder in The Neighborhood
Disorder and reorder are an integral part of this community. In the Neighborhood, our goal is to walk through the disorder and reorder stages. If you are looking for concrete, clear-cut answers you probably won't find that here. That doesn’t mean we aren't all seeking answers or that we don't want answers, rather that we won't settle for answers that cause harm. We prioritize asking the questions that we aren't allowed to talk about in church. The goal of this space is to build vibrant spirituality that seeks to do no harm, that apologizes when harm is done, and that does the work to make sure that the harm doesn't continue. We encourage one another in the messy aftermath of rejecting harmful systems, while trying to move forward with meaning and connection with the divine. We may not provide answers or order, but I don't think that means we lack faith. Faith is the ability to believe without proof. I have faith in the work of the divine within every person here. I look around and see a room of people believing that there is a healthy way to engage in spirituality. I see people who have been hurt and rejected by the church, and choose to do the work of creating inclusive communities. I see people who fight for social justice. That gives me hope for something greater than any one of us.
Deconstruction isn't a trend, and it isn't going away anytime soon, I think this movement has caught on and popularized for a reason. People are craving a different path than the one that has harmed so many. This is difficult work, that many don't choose. In many ways, it happens to us. It can be a lonely, isolating process to deconstruct, but it is liberative. This is hard work, potentially full of triggers and painful memories. Self-compassion and gentleness are crucial to this journey. In his article, The Age of Deconstruction and the Future of the Church, Kris Vanderpool summarized it well, "I believe deconstruction is from God. I believe deconstruction is the revival evangelicals have been praying for, for centuries. Deconstruction is God’s way of returning our hearts to the main point: Love. Love of God, love toward ourselves and love for each other. Even love for our enemies."
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever felt shame or kept yourself from connecting with others due to feeling as if you must have the “right” answers about faith?
What factors do you feel have influenced your faith the most so far (i.e. identities, interactions with others, etc.)?
How has this community supported you in the deconstruction process thus far (if it has)? How can this community better support you in the future?
Sources:
CAC - Order, Disorder, Reorder
The Age of Deconstruction and the Future of the Church
Faith and Doubt are not Opposites
Bonus Resources:
CAC - Order: Part 1 Weekly Summary