3 Reasons Deconstruction Scares Christians | ShiftHole with Chris Cowan

https://youtu.be/8UadHhIKpC0?si=C2s0YOciSsx5FxSJ Let's discuss the topic of "deconstruction:" what it means, what it doesn't mean, why it matters, and how we should approach it, regardless of our personal faith journey. Covering topics like deconversion, apologetics, critical thinking, and skepticism, this episode dives into the complexities of faith and doubt. Visit www.ShiftStormPodcast.comPodcast available on all major podcast apps and YouTube Do you have a story of change to tell? Be a guest: https://forms.gle/tyx3gBM2hrVHW3N36 Welcome to the very first installment of something new I’m calling Shift Hole—a space where I take a little tangent and dig deeper into topics that come up in interviews but deserve more time and attention than we can usually give them. This week, I want to talk about deconstruction. The idea came up during my recent conversation with Matt and Mandy Lelli, who shared their painful experience with spiritual abuse in the church they were serving in. As they told their story, we touched on the shifts they experienced in their relationship with church and church culture. Later, I shared a clip on social media where I unpacked a bit of my own perspective on deconstruction and why I think it can actually be a good thing. That clip sparked some interesting responses, which made me want to dig even deeper. So—what is deconstruction? Why do some people fear it? And is it necessarily a bad thing? From what I’ve seen, the conversation usually centers around three main concerns: Doubt – is it safe to question faith at all? Definition – what does “deconstruction” really mean? Destination – where does it all lead? Let’s take a look at each of these. 1. Doubt: The Big Scary Word In many faith communities, doubt gets treated like a disease—something to hide, fear, or suppress. But I’d argue that doubt is not the enemy. Think about it: if something is true, it can handle questions. It doesn’t stop being true just because someone examines it. If something isn’t true, then it deserves to be doubted. The presence of doubt isn’t a threat to truth—it’s a tool for uncovering it. Sometimes we protect our beliefs not because they’re unquestionably true, but because they’re comfortable. If challenges to those beliefs make us defensive, it’s worth asking: am I protecting truth, or just protecting my comfort zone? Yes, there’s always a risk that in questioning one belief we might throw out something else valuable. But avoiding the process altogether just to stay safe means we’re choosing comfort over truth. And that, at its core, is what deconstruction is: re-examining our beliefs with honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable. 2. Definition: What Deconstruction Is (and Isn’t) Here’s how Merriam-Webster defines deconstruction: “The analytical examination of something (such as a theory), often in order to reveal its inadequacy.” In other words, it’s about re-examining. Testing. Asking whether what we’ve always believed still holds up. But here’s where confusion sets in: many people conflate the process of deconstruction with the outcome. They hear “deconstruction” and think, Oh, that means leaving Christianity. But that’s not built into the definition. Deconstruction is simply the questioning and examining part. What happens after—that’s reconstruction, reformation, rejection, or something else entirely. It’s a mistake to assume intentions or predict outcomes based on the word alone. Labels should help us understand one another, not box people in or dismiss them. So when someone says they’re “deconstructing,” the healthy response isn’t, Oh, I know where this ends up. The better response is curiosity: What questions are you wrestling with? What have you discovered so far? 3. Destination: Where Does It Lead? The third big concern is about outcomes. People worry that deconstruction inevitably means tearing down faith and l...