98. Deconstruction and Reconstruction, with A.J. Swoboda, author of After Doubt

Deconstruction is the dismantling of one’s theological concepts.  Which sounds really bad, doesn’t it?

But it doesn’t have to be.  Deconstruction doesn’t have to conclude with the loss of one’s faith.  In fact, it can lead to an even deeper relationship with Jesus.

A.J. Swoboda has written an eye-opening book titled After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith without Losing It, in which he explores not only the experience of deconstruction, but also reconstruction.  And that’s exactly what we talk about in this episode.


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• A.J. Swoboda is Assistant Professor Bible and Theology at Bushnell University, leads a D.Min. program on the Holy Spirit and Leadership at Fuller Seminary, and co-hosts the In Faith and Doubt podcast. And author of After Doubt.
• Deconstruction is the dismantling of one’s theological concepts.
• We all go through three major stages in our belief journey:  construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction.
• People who are able to enter the reconstruction stage—after experiencing deconstruction—share some things in common.
• According to Kendra Creasy Dean, author of Almost Christian,  such people (1) saw their parents go through something difficult and kept following Jesus, and (2) had at least five Christian adults in their life.
• Many young people seem to be engaging in deconstruction in order to better follow Jesus.
• Many people are deconstructing “fake Christianity,” not actual Christianity.
• When we know someone who is experiencing deconstruction, sometimes we need to just listen.
• For A.J. Swoboda, the goal of deconstruction and reconstruction is to come back to the same Jesus, but in a new way.
• The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is a type of deconstruction and reconstruction story.
• In the past, honor cultures preserved traditions.  But we live in an achievement culture, which presses toward the new and lets go of the past.  This is one reason why deconstruction is so common.
• “For those in deconstruction, more often than not, the itch is of the heart, not of the mind.”
• A.J. Swoboda reflects on whether pastors and leaders need to deconstruct.
• We need communities where people in construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction are all worshiping together.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• A.J. Swoboda:
  • Twitter: @mrajswoboda
  • Website: ajswobodawrites.com
• Books mentioned:
  • After Doubt, by A.J. Swoboda
  • Almost Christian, by Kendra Creasy Dean
• Related episodes:
  • Episode 70: The Subversiveness of Sabbath, with A.J. Swoboda

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