Deconstruction Among Pastors & Laypeople

The Rise of Deconstruction and Apostasy

How many of you have heard the term Deconstruction. This used to be called apostasy or falling away from the faith. But now people just say that I have deconstructed my faith. Every few weeks it seems in the news another pastor another contemporary Christian music artist comes out in support of Gay marriage or they say I no longer believe Jesus is the only way of salvation.

Or they have some story about how they're in the middle of deconstructing their faith. You know, they realize finally they say that God accepts everyone no matter what. So what happens when a person falls away from the faith when a person deconstructs?

They usually either deconstruct into atheism or If they want to continue to be called a spiritual person or they want to retain the label of Christian they deconstruct Into a universalist and they start to believe that everyone's going to heaven no matter what.

Well, the first thing is this is nothing new. Maybe that's a new term for you Deconstructing but this is nothing new at all. The book of Jude was really written about this subject. Jude wanted to write a positive epistle about our common faith, but he said well It's more needful that I write and he writes about apostates, you know.

The New Testament Warning About Falling Away

So this is nothing new. The Apostle John also wrote about those who went out from us. He said they were never really of us and then Jesus Talked about how in latter times the love of many would grow cold so one New Testament teaching is that as we approach the end of days as we approach the Second advent of Christ there will be a great falling away.

From faith you just look at Europe. Europe used to be Christian. Right just about everybody in Europe used to identify as a Christian. Today it's completely secular. So I would argue it's my personal belief we are living in the falling away.

So on the one hand, this has always been happening throughout history, but as we get closer and closer to the end. It's just gonna happen on a broader wider scale. So people are Falling away. They are Deconstructing this is the Bible the Bible says this would happen.

Signs of Apostasy in the Church and Culture

You know I was driving through Turner's Falls the other day and it just kind of stuck out if you if you're going over the bridge. You look at the skyline of Turner's Falls. One thing you notice the skyline is just filled with steeples.

Right churches are Everywhere. There's one spot in Turner. They're like five churches all within a stone's throw of each other. Churches are everywhere all throughout the city and Unfortunately, a lot of the churches are either closed or they're half empty and.

What's gone up? What's risen up in its place? Rainbow flags. Symbols of the revolution, you know the clenched fist raised up high. And it's sad to see but not surprising. Because we all know people whether they're young people or older folks.

Some in their 50s 60s and 70s who no longer are in the faith. They have become apostate. They have deconstructed. So, why does this happen? Well, it happens number one because the Bible says it would happen.

Yes, but on a more practical level number two, here's why it happens because people don't want God telling them what to do. Oftentimes someone will deconstruct. Usually because they want to pursue a sexual relationship and they know the church would not approve.

My guess is seven times out of ten. That's that's the root issue. But there's also the desire to fit in. People see where the culture is headed or where the culture is and they know that being a Christian these days might actually cost them Something so they don't want to pay the price they drop out.

Hope for Doubters and the Brevity of Life

One reason I want to talk about is because you know, maybe there's someone listening and. You've been plagued with doubts lately and maybe you feel in your heart. You're you're starting to deconstruct.

You're really questioning the beliefs that you are brought up with now. There's some beliefs that people hold that they should abandon. But the Christian faith is not one of those, you know. Everything in this world is going to pass away.

Only that which is of God is going to endure so if there's somebody listening right now who is in the process you're beginning you're flirting with Deconstructing. I Just want to remind you that this life is a vapor.

James 4 14 says that life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Do you really want to turn your back on God? Do you really want to turn your back on the gospel and eternal life?

To pursue the pleasures of sin for a season. I'm I'm here to tell you it's not worth it in this life. You may get 80 years. If you're fortunate eternity lasts forever. But also part of why people are turning away from the faith is because.

False Shepherds and Pastors Who Lead Others Astray

You know, it's not. I mean people are responsible for their own actions. But I think we have to recognize that one reason people are turning away from the faith is because they're being led astray by bad shepherds in the Old Testament Israel the Prophet Jeremiah warned he said woe to the shepherds who destroy and Scatter the sheep of my pasture says the Lord.

The reason why Christians are deconstructing. Part of the reason is because pastors are Deconstructing. Pastors are deconstructing. It's not just church members. It's not just people who are attendees who come once in a while.

Pastors are doing it and when this happens, and by the way, I've seen it and I'm currently seeing Christian ministries in in this process and when I've tried to warn people in the past, nobody wants to believe me.

So I'm just Okay, but here's how it typically goes. You know, you have to look at people's associations. And look at not just what they're saying, but also what are they not saying? Here's how it often works.

The pastor will separate himself from other evangelicals. He'll start hanging around with people from the more progressive churches and because he doesn't want to lose his job. He can't come out on Sunday morning and announce that he has changed his beliefs.

So what does he do instead? He enacts something like a five-year plan to slowly make changes to lead people along into his way of thinking. Andy Stanley basically a month or two ago. I saw the clip online Andy Stanley basically came out and admitted that he was doing this.

Which is rare that people admit it. But usually when someone deconstructs for them, it's a process. So if they want to lead others Astray they realize it's not gonna happen in a day. So there are pastors out there right now they've deconstructed and they're trying to lead their church in that through that same process and Usually it's done in the name of love.

Usually it's done in the name of love almost never will a man come up and say I don't believe the Bible. I hate God join me and will rebel against God like that's not gonna happen. That's not gonna work.

So instead they try to put a happy face on it that we're gonna deconstruct all in the name of love. That's the play. If you're discerning you can spot it from a mile away. But again people sometimes they don't want to admit it some I think prefer to be willfully ignorant and Nobody these days wants to fight about it.

So they just kind of let it happen. If you are willing to fight the good fight of faith, you feel like nobody's gonna back you up. So people really don't do anything about it. And by the time people wake up to what's happened by then.

It's usually too late. So deconstruction it's happening with pastors. It's happening with lay people. It often starts when a child goes astray maybe a close Relative a loved one comes out of the closet.

Maybe a daughter goes off to college and comes home indoctrinated and Marxist ideology and instead of holding fast the faithful word in Trying to convert them and listen don't fall back on well. Hey, they said the sinner's prayer when they were four years old.

So I know that okay today. They're a Marxist Lesbian so it's it's it's not a big deal. No the come on. But instead of holding fast to the faithful word, what do people do? They compromise their beliefs in order to accommodate their loved one.

Scripture talks about those who love the praises of men over the praises of God. So this is what's happening. I think most people Recognize it again prefer Sort of turn a blind eye. Let's not talk about it.

Don't don't let's pretend it's not as bad as it really is. But I think you know, this is going on. So what can we do? Okay, that's the problem. What about the solution? Well, one thing is we need to be blunt about what's on the line.

Standing Firm in Faith Without Compromising Loved Ones

Okay, this is a life-or-death issue. Heaven and hell that's what's at stake. And we can't be afraid to tell people that also. If because it's happening more and more Let's say is this would be really hard and we have to be sympathetic to people that are going through this.

But let's say there is a pastor or a church member somebody, you know, who is a devout believer in Christ. But their child goes astray. Or their their son or daughter comes home. From college or the doesn't matter how old they are 20 30 they become a universalist.

They become an atheist they come out of the closet, whatever it is. We as God's people we need to tell we need to tell others and Church leaders need to tell people in the congregation. You do not have to choose between God and your child.

You do not have to choose between God and your loved one. You can love God and still love Your daughter your son. You can love God still love your brother or sister you can love God and still love your friend.

You don't have to choose. You can still be faithful to God and at the same time love that person. Who is an atheist or who's gay or whatever? Here's here's the thing. You can still love them. But you don't affirm them in their sin, it's really that simple.

You can still love them. But that doesn't mean you affirm them and whatever they're doing you don't compromise your faith. You don't Deconstruct your faith in order to accommodate others. Who have walked away from their faith, but admittedly this is a difficult thing and it's happening everywhere.

Which is why you need now more than ever to be in a good Bible-believing church. The scripture talks about how iron sharpens iron. We need each other. We need to be around other Like-minded Christians who can support us we can support them.

These are Perilous times that we're living in. Whatever you do Keep the faith remain faithful. Into that loved one who has deconstructed don't deconstruct with them. You're not doing them any favors if you want them to be saved if you want to be in heaven.

With them for all eternity, which is what we want. You need to remain faithful. Who knows if you will convert them, but they need someone. To be a testimony and that's up to you. But if you deconstruct with them if the blind leadeth the blind then both will fall into the ditch.

God will give you the strength other believers will give you the encouragement and I pray that this has been helpful, but this is a this is a big issue going on right now, and we need to talk about it and.