Deconstruction Lite - (light?)

[St. SteVen]

A follow-up to previous topics.

Does questioning Christianity lead to Atheism? (depends)

Is there a cure for my religious upbringing? - other than atheism, I mean.

Hello deconstruction. Atheism, is the obvious over-reaction to escaping a religious upbringing. Study on this issue shows people going in many different directions both toward and away from religion. This video outlines the frustration involved in deconstruction. Let's discuss.

www.christianityboard.com

DECONSTRUCTION - How far is too far?

This is somewhat of a follow-up to my previous topic from June 23, 2023: https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/is-there-a-cure-for-my-religious-upbringing-other-than-atheism-i-mean.56346/ Here's another video that talks specifically about the process of deconstruction that Sara Martin went...

www.christianityboard.com

Deconstruction, or Reconstruction - Renovating Your Religious Views

Deconstruction is a very scary word to most Christians. Granted, it sound destructive and harmful. When I discovered some deconstructing Christians, I felt as if I was going through a similar process. So, the word didn't bother me too much. I did feel that some of them had taken it too far...

www.christianityboard.com

Plundering my religious upbringing - The desert island question

Having looked into deconstruction, and asked myself the tough questions, I have settled on a Deconstruction Lite approach.

I consider myself to be a recovering Evangelical. Many things I was taught, being raised evangelical have come into question.

Like:
- The Hell doctrine
- The origins and nature of the Bible
- Evangelical Apologetics
- Spiritual Gifts
- The church's response to LGBT issues

I attend a Pentecostal church, but the Pastor is very evangelical.
I understand where he is coming from and honestly love the guy.
It's a great church and wonderful people. The worship experience is top notch. IMHO
I value my church membership. But I understand why so many don't attend.

I keep a lid on my thoughts toward evangelicalism when I am at church.
In a small group setting I may ask some challenging questions.
Which makes most folks rather uncomfortable. But some understand.

On the forum I am able to speak out about these things. I appreciate that.
Do others find themselves in a similar position?

[

 

[Bob]

Thank you for sharing. Regarding your question: yes.

May God continue to lead you towards the light.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8


Peace.

 

[talons]

Did Jesus tell us to question Christianity or to proclaim it ?

 

[St. SteVen]

Did Jesus tell us to question Christianity or to proclaim it ?

What is "Christianity"?
(sorry; I know that's a question)

[

 

[quietthinker]

A follow-up to previous topics.

Does questioning Christianity lead to Atheism? (depends)

Is there a cure for my religious upbringing? - other than atheism, I mean.

Hello deconstruction. Atheism, is the obvious over-reaction to escaping a religious upbringing. Study on this issue shows people going in many different directions both toward and away from religion. This video outlines the frustration involved in deconstruction. Let's discuss.

www.christianityboard.com

DECONSTRUCTION - How far is too far?

This is somewhat of a follow-up to my previous topic from June 23, 2023: https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/is-there-a-cure-for-my-religious-upbringing-other-than-atheism-i-mean.56346/ Here's another video that talks specifically about the process of deconstruction that Sara Martin went...

www.christianityboard.com

Deconstruction, or Reconstruction - Renovating Your Religious Views

Deconstruction is a very scary word to most Christians. Granted, it sound destructive and harmful. When I discovered some deconstructing Christians, I felt as if I was going through a similar process. So, the word didn't bother me too much. I did feel that some of them had taken it too far...

www.christianityboard.com

Plundering my religious upbringing - The desert island question

Having looked into deconstruction, and asked myself the tough questions, I have settled on a Deconstruction Lite approach.

I consider myself to be a recovering Evangelical. Many things I was taught, being raised evangelical have come into question.

Like:
- The Hell doctrine
- The origins and nature of the Bible
- Evangelical Apologetics
- Spiritual Gifts
- The church's response to LGBT issues

I attend a Pentecostal church, but the Pastor is very evangelical.
I understand where he is coming from and honestly love the guy.
It's a great church and wonderful people. The worship experience is top notch. IMHO
I value my church membership. But I understand why so many don't attend.

I keep a lid on my thoughts toward evangelicalism when I am at church.
In a small group setting I may ask some challenging questions.
Which makes most folks rather uncomfortable. But some understand.

On the forum I am able to speak out about these things. I appreciate that.
Do others find themselves in a similar position?

[

Very few have a real interest in Jesus. If they did, their language would testify to it.
The interests out there never end....anything from collecting matchboxes to, dare I say it, deconstruction.

Sooo, the journey, let's say for those whom have a heart for the real deal is an evolving one. Its very nature is mistaking the right track for the wrong one ie, whether we were placed on it by default or chose it.....and so the 'unravelling' is always in process on some level.

Do I then focus in on the unravelling (deconstruction) ...collect matchboxes till all the rooms in my house are full?) or do I rejoice in new found light. Do I constantly share my unravelling or do I share the greater light which forgives, comforts, includes and saves?

 

[talons]

What is "Christianity"?

The Risen Christ , the only begotten Son of God the Father , crucified and his blood shed in atonement for our sins , if we will believe on Him and take Him for our savior repenting of our sins , get baptized , take up our cross and follow Him .

 

[St. SteVen]

Very few have a real interest in Jesus. If they did, their language would testify to it.
The interests out there never end....anything from collecting matchboxes to, dare I say it, deconstruction.

Sooo, the journey, let's say for those whom have a heart for the real deal is an evolving one. Its very nature is mistaking the right track for the wrong one ie, whether we were placed on it by default or chose it.....and so the 'unravelling' is always in process on some level.

Do I then focus in on the unravelling (deconstruction) ...collect matchboxes till all the rooms in my house are full?) or do I rejoice in new found light. Do I constantly share my unravelling or do I share the greater light which forgives, comforts, includes and saves?

Are you recommending that we turn a blind eye to issues like:
- The Hell doctrine
- The origins and nature of the Bible
- Evangelical Apologetics
- Spiritual Gifts
- The church's response to LGBT issues

???

I think we need to discuss these things rather than sweep them all under the carpet and just talk about Jesus.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
What is "Christianity"?

The Risen Christ , the only begotten Son of God the Father , crucified and his blood shed in atonement for our sins , if we will believe on Him and take Him for our savior repenting of our sins , get baptized , take up our cross and follow Him .

I'm not questioning any of that.
(therefore not questioning "Christianity" as you define it)

[

 

[Deborah_]

I consider myself to be a recovering Evangelical. Many things I was taught, being raised evangelical have come into question.

Like:
- The Hell doctrine
- The origins and nature of the Bible
- Evangelical Apologetics
- Spiritual Gifts
- The church's response to LGBT issues

Do others find themselves in a similar position?

Some things on your list are matters of dispute amongst evangelical Christians - dispute that should be friendly but unfortunately often isn't.
It's not un-evangelical to believe in annihilationism, for example. Many respected evangelical theologians have done so. But a lot of churches and Christians don't realise that it's an acceptable option.

I possibly had a "near miss" as a young Christian when I came up against the teaching that the earth was created 6000 years ago. Fortunately I read a good (evangelical) commentary on Genesis which explained that the genealogies there are probably incomplete. So it's quite OK to believe in a very old earth. Phew!

 

[St. SteVen]

It's not un-evangelical to believe in annihilationism, for example. Many respected evangelical theologians have done so. But a lot of churches and Christians don't realise that it's an acceptable option.

That's a good point.
And in discussion, I've never seen a Damnationist take an Annihilationist to task.
But they both adamantly disagree with Universalism. (Ultimate Redemption)

Actually, I consider Annihilationism to be the gateway drug to full-blown Universalism. - LOL

Sugar coating hell - the bitter pill​

The changing perception of hell. - How do you define it?​

[

 

[Deborah_]

Actually, I consider Annihilationism to be the gateway drug to full-blown Universalism

Well, it's never taken me there

 

[quietthinker]

Let the religious debate or argue them till the cows come home. It's their trip. One wont change their minds anymore than one can dissuade another from peeing.

When the core is flawed, what flows from it is flawed and visa versa. Each man/ woman is on a solo journey re this discovery.

 

[St. SteVen]

Well, it's never taken me there

Every road leads somewhere. - LOL

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Let the religious debate or argue them till the cows come home. It's their trip. One wont change their minds anymore than one can dissuade another from peeing.

When the core is flawed, what flows from it is flawed and visa versa. Each man/ woman is on a solo journey re this discovery.

Yup.
The forum is a failed economy.
Everyone is selling, but no one is buying.

[

 

[Bob]

Yup.
The forum is a failed economy.
Everyone is selling, but no one is buying.

[

Thank you for that observation.

At least it is a market economy based on persuasion, and not force.

“Yes, my beliefs are set, so don’t try to parade your scriptural knowledge to get me to change.”

Peace and Many Blessings.

 

[St. SteVen]

Thank you for that observation.

You might enjoy this topic.

What makes a doctrine false?

What makes a doctrine false? Please quote what you would like to respond to. Thanks. 1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response) 2. You have heard of it before, but assume it's false. (haven't looked into it) 3. Doesn't align with your church's doctrine (your church...

www.christianityboard.com

[